I will be examining how death is treated in Yemen based on their cultural views on the subject, as well as using the article “Cultural scripts for a good death in Japan and the U.S.” by Susan Long for reference. Death has sadly come to be a normal thing now for most of the citizens in Yemen. The war by Saudi Arabia has caused hunger, poverty, and disease, but despite this Yemen still tries to keep tradition after someone passes (The Guardian 2018). To treat this disease, they use mostly hospitals and doctors. Finally, they hold funerals based on religious and cultural traditions, and cost (Funeral Arrangements Guide 2019). To fully understand how death is viewed in Yemen we will dive into the four cultural scripts of modern medicine, revivalism, an anti-revivalism, and religion (Long 2004).

            To start off, the modern health system in Yemen is made up of a three-tier system of the public health system, the private sector, and the tertiary level. They also have more traditional healers too. The focus of the systems overall is to prevent illness and promote health. At the lowest level the public system has many problems like poor care, lack of funding, and a deficit in supplies. Most patients have to pay for everything themselves and if they have the money they will go to other countries. The private sector treats almost all of the patients because the care is better than the public system and they don’t have to wait as long. The highest level of treatment is only for the wealthiest and are usually in only urban areas (UAE Medical Insurance) More traditional healers include Sayyids and Qadis/Mashayikah who specialize in verbal therapy and tribesmen who heals wounds with bloodletting, cauterization, diets and herbs. They view disease as “…the effect of bad winds and an imbalance of the four humors of the body.” (Countries and their Cultures). So, while there are traditional healers still most Yemen citizens rely on doctors for treatment.

            Secondly, revivalism in Yemen is growing because of the ongoing war, but some traditions still lean towards anti-revivalism (The Guardian 2018). Death is a common subject because so many people are affected by it daily. Doctors identify when people have passed because most of the community relies on modern medicine. However, they have three different types of funerals in which the anti-revivalism varies. The traditional service includes a viewing and funeral service and is the most expensive type. For this funeral the body is embalmed by the funeral home and they are buried before sunset on the day they passed. Women do not go to the grave and the family mourns while the Koran is read. (Countries and their Cultures). In direct burials the body is buried after by the funeral providers without visitations or embalming. The direct cremation is the cheapest while the body is cremated by the providers right after death, without embalmment or visitation (Funeral Arrangements Guide 2019).

            Lastly, Sunni Islam, Sa’da, and Isma’ilis make up the religions present in Yemen. They are preached by Islamic scholars, judges, elders, and managers of charities. They mainly came from the upper class, but now come from the lower classes too. During the funeral process when the Koran is read by a religious representation (Countries and their Cultures). While each religion observes the Five Pillars of Islam and practice the same funerals, views vary. Religion is taught in school and remains an important part of their lives, but again as modern medicine has evolved science is also just as valued.

            To conclude, culture affects death in Yemen based on their use of modern medicine, revivalism and anti-revivalism views, and well as religious beliefs. The use of modern medicine has grown and left behind most of the traditional medical practices. The revivalism views are more enhanced by the ongoing war they’re currently facing, but the funeral traditions keep the anti-revivalism to a certain degree. Furthermore, religion is definitely a big part of their lives. These four aspects all weave together to form how death is treated in Yemen.

1. Long, Susan Orpett. “Cultural Scripts for a Good Death in Japan and the United States: Similarities and Differences.” Social Science and Medicine, John Caroll University, 2004.

2. Funeral Arrangements Guide, www.funeral-arrangements-guide.com/yemen-burial-arrangements-yemen-burial-arrangement-guide/.

3. “Yemen Overview.” UAE Medical Insurance, www.uae-medical-insurance.com/resources/yemen-topics/overview/.

4. “Yemen.” Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Yemen.html.

5. Wilcken, Patrick. “Britain and the US Must Stop Fuelling the Bloody Saudi War on Yemen | Patrick Wilcken.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 20 Mar. 2018, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/20/yemen-arms-saudi-arabia.