The Portuguese folk music, also known as "música popular portuguesa," is a genre deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Portuguese people. It is characterized by its heartfelt and melancholic melodies, often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the guitarra portuguesa, the viola, and the accordion. This genre of music has its origins in rural areas, where it was passed down orally from one generation to another. It reflects the daily lives, struggles, and joys of the Portuguese people, depicting their traditions, customs, and history. Themes commonly found in Portuguese folk music include love, longing, poverty, and the sea. One of the most famous styles of Portuguese folk music is Fado.
You do not actually have to hold a funeral ceremony
What s more, with many people choosing not to live according to religious principles, or to hold accepted views on life and death, there s increasing demand for the humanist funeral with its focus on the life of the deceased rather than a passing to an afterlife. Indeed, even the name of the ceremony is changing as people increasingly opt for a celebration of life or a thanksgiving instead of a conventional religious or secular funeral.
One of the most famous styles of Portuguese folk music is Fado. Originating in the 19th century in the city of Lisbon, Fado is recognized as a genre that captures the essence of Portuguese sentimentality. Fado songs are usually sung by a soloist accompanied by a Portuguese guitar, which provides a haunting and emotional accompaniment.
Alternative and Humanist Funerals
Nowadays, more and more people are aware that the 'traditional funeral' is just one of many possible funeral options available to them. And with more people than ever taking the progressive decision to plan their funeral years ahead, there's a clear trend away from black clothes, black cars and traditional coffins. There's also much more likelihood that they'll be opting for a non-religious or humanist funeral and alternative burial instead. Indeed, even the name of the ceremony is changing as people increasingly opt for a 'celebration of life' or a 'thanksgiving' instead of a conventional religious or secular funeral.
What's more, with many people choosing not to live according to religious principles, or to hold accepted views on life and death, there's increasing demand for the humanist funeral with its focus on the life of the deceased rather than a passing to an 'afterlife'.
Alternative funeral services are legal
You're not alone if you think there are strict legal constraints on the format and procedure for your funeral. Though many people still think they can't deviate from a 'standard funeral procedure', this simply isn't true:
You do not actually have to hold a funeral ceremony
You aren't legally required to have a specific type of ceremony
Licensed buildings aren't required (except for Anglican services in England)
Burial is allowed on private land with the landowner's permission
A clergyman isn't required
You needn't have a traditional pine coffin
And if, as many people do, you have strong environmental concerns, the latest alternative funeral ideas offer all sorts of 'green' possibilities for a religious or non religious funeral service. Even the range of burial containers has increased, with biodegradable shrouds, wicker coffins and bamboo caskets now readily available and more than 200 woodland burial sites currently operating in the UK.
Humanist funerals
A humanist funeral or memorial ceremony is much more appropriate for people who chose to live without religious principles and without holding accepted views about life and death. With a non religious funeral, there's no preoccupation with the 'afterlife' that is an intrinsic part of other beliefs. Instead, the ceremony allows family and friends to concentrate on a joyous celebration of a life well lived and the connections made during the deceased's life.
Typically led by a humanist celebrant, a humanist funeral service contains nothing that should cause offense to anyone with religious beliefs. Instead, the ceremony is a heartfelt celebration of the deceased's life and a marvellous opportunity for loved ones to share their experience and express their feelings in a positive way.
Suggested reading about humanist burial and funeral planning:
A Humanist Funeral Service
Funerals Without God: Practical Guide to Nonreligious
Jane Wynne Willson
The Pagan funeral
According to Pagan belief, birth, growth, death, and rebirth form a cycle that determines the underlying order of the universe. Because there are no universally accepted rites or traditions to unify different forms of paganism, it's very difficult to find a 'standard' order of ceremony for a pagan funeral. There are, however, many resources on the internet and the general consensus of online opinion seems to be that the following stages should be present:
- Understand which pagan tradition the deceased followed
- Find a person to officiate (often family or friends who are pagans)
- Locate an appropriate (usually outdoor) venue
- Determine how the deceased would have wanted their body to be disposed of (many pagan traditions prefer cremation)
- Call 'the corners and watchtowers' at the beginning of the ceremony. The four corners, to be called in order, are east (air), south (fire), west (water) and north (earth). The watchtowers protect the participants in the ritual
- Set a suitably reverential mood with music, colours and other decorations (flowers, candles, incense) that are appropriate to the ceremony
- Pay tribute to the spiritual being that the deceased honoured during their life (perhaps Mother Earth or another entity) with suitable non religious readings
For further information, you might find it useful to research on the internet or obtain a copy of the following publication, which, at the time of writing, appears to be one of the main published guides to Pagan burial and funeral services:
The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings and Meditations on Crossing Over by 'Starhawk'.
Burial at sea
Sea burial, an alternative to traditional or alternative land burial or cremation, offers another way for a person to return their body to nature and continue the unending circle of life.
Be warned, however, that sea burials are among the most complicated of alternative funeral services to arrange in the UK. They're not cheap either, with a typical sea burial costing up to £3,000 plus boat hire and other associated costs.
Several important steps must be taken before a sea burial can take place. These include:
- Register the death with the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages
- Request a burial at sea
- Complete special forms (including the coroner's Out of England form)
- Obtain a license from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Prepare the body for burial to strict standards specified by DEFRA
- Source a suitable biodegradable coffin (to DEFRA standards)
- Organise a ceremony at one of the two approved UK locations
Most of the information below can also be found by clicking on the following link for the government department responsible, called the Marine Management Organisation.
Alternatively contact Britannia Shipping at www.burialatsea.co.uk who are one of the few companies offering such a service.
- The Locations
- Sea Burial Considerations
- Companies supplying this Service
- How to obtain a burial at sea licence
Be warned, however, that sea burials are among the most complicated of alternative funeral services to arrange in the UK. They're not cheap either, with a typical sea burial costing up to £3,000 plus boat hire and other associated costs.
The lyrics often express feelings of saudade, a Portuguese word that has no direct translation but evokes a sense of longing, nostalgia, and melancholy. Apart from Fado, other regional styles of folk music exist throughout Portugal, each with its unique characteristics. For instance, música alentejana is a style associated with the Alentejo region and features powerful vocal harmonies. The music of the Azores Islands combines influences from Portuguese, African, and Caribbean traditions, creating a lively and rhythmic sound. Today, these traditional folk music styles continue to be cherished and celebrated in Portugal. Both established and emerging artists perform and record Portuguese folk music, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and significant part of the country's cultural identity. In recent years, there has also been a fusion of folk music with other genres, resulting in a contemporary and innovative approach to Portuguese music. In conclusion, Portuguese folk music is a cherished and integral part of the country's cultural heritage. It embodies the emotions and experiences of the Portuguese people, reflecting their history, customs, and identity. Whether it is the soulful melodies of Fado or the lively rhythms of regional styles, Portuguese folk music continues to captivate audiences and preserve the traditions of the past..
Reviews for "The Fusion of Traditional and Contemporary Elements in Portuguese Folk Music"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I did not enjoy "Portuguese folk music" at all. I found the melodies to be repetitive and uninteresting, and the lyrics were difficult to understand. Additionally, the performance lacked energy and enthusiasm, making it a rather dull experience overall. I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Portuguese folk music" was a complete letdown for me. The performers seemed disconnected from their own music, and their lackluster stage presence made it hard to engage with the performance. The songs themselves were monotonous and failed to capture my attention. I left feeling bored and unimpressed.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Portuguese folk music" but was ultimately disappointed. The music felt repetitive and lacked variety, making it difficult to differentiate between the songs. The performers also seemed to lack passion, resulting in a lackluster experience. Overall, it failed to leave a lasting impression, and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking an engaging musical experience.
4. David - 2.5 stars - While "Portuguese folk music" had its moments, overall, it failed to captivate me. The songs often felt predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The performers seemed competent but lacked the charisma and stage presence to truly enhance the experience. I appreciate the effort put into showcasing this genre, but it fell short of my expectations.