The Ontogeny of Ritualization
Personalized Funeral Rituals | Online Funeral Services

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The funeral ritual—especially when the body is present—is one of humanity’s most powerful symbolic expressions. It brings together major universal archetypes and resonates deeply within the collective unconscious. Much like water in baptism, the presence of the deceased body represents a fundamental truth of human existence.

​Grounded in the psychological theories of Carl Jung and Erik Erikson, funeral rituals mirror key developmental stages essential to human emotional and social maturity. According to Erikson, every individual must navigate a series of life phases that balance moments of joy, such as birth, with moments of grief, like death. Without confronting death through structured, meaningful rituals, we risk emotional imbalance and underdeveloped maturity on both personal and societal levels.

Erikson referred to this as the “ontogeny of ritualization”—an innate human process that drives individuals, even from childhood, to engage instinctively in rituals. Consider a child burying a dead pet without guidance: this is ritual behavior rooted in our unconscious need to give structure to life’s polarities—birth and death.

Funeral rites serve as essential thresholds for navigating these polarities. When the body is present and personalized rituals are enacted, both individuals and communities benefit from emotional stability and psychological growth. Such rituals help mourners integrate loss, acknowledge death, and achieve a sense of emotional safety.​

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In contrast, the absence of rituals can lead to unresolved grief, emotional isolation, and social disconnection. Personalized funerals with the body present are not merely cultural customs—they are necessary for mental wellness and social cohesion. They allow for the processing of loss, support emotional resilience, and foster collective maturity by balancing life’s most profound transitions.

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FAQ - The Ontogeny of Ritualization

What does 'ontogeny of ritualization' mean in the context of funerals?
The ontogeny of ritualization, as defined by Erik Erikson, refers to an innate human tendency to create rituals that help us navigate emotional transitions. In the context of funerals, this means instinctively engaging in symbolic acts—such as ceremonies with the body present—that bring structure and meaning to the experience of death.

Why is the presence of the body important during funeral rituals?
The presence of the deceased body during a funeral acts as a powerful symbol, much like water in baptism. It helps mourners confront the reality of death, supports emotional processing, and reinforces the collective need for meaning and closure.

How do funeral rituals relate to psychological development?
Based on Jung and Erikson’s psychological theories, funeral rituals mirror human developmental stages by helping individuals mature emotionally and socially. They provide a framework to process grief, build resilience, and maintain balance through life’s transitions.

Are personalized funeral rituals necessary for emotional well-being?
Yes. Personalized rituals with symbolic elements help mourners integrate grief and support long-term emotional health. Without these structured expressions, individuals and communities may struggle with unresolved grief and social disconnection.

​​Can I create a personalized funeral with Online Funeral Services?
Absolutely. Online Funeral Services offers families in Montreal, Laval, and the South Shore the ability to plan personalized ceremonies online—whether you prefer a simple cremation or a traditional service with the body present.

What happens when there is no funeral ritual after a death?
The absence of a funeral ritual can lead to unresolved grief, emotional instability, and a lack of social cohesion. Rituals serve as emotional anchors and are essential for processing loss in a healthy and communal way.

Is it common for children to create their own rituals after a loss?
Yes. Even children instinctively perform rituals, like burying a pet, to find emotional structure. This reflects the ontogeny of ritualization, showing that the need for ritual is a natural part of human development.