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The church is packed and the atmosphere is somber. Then, a mighty wail sounds and it is not necessarily coming from a member of the family. Spoken of in the Bible, the sometimes hired 'grievers' that frequent Haitian funerals, are as much a distraction as they are an attraction. They wail and scream and are often seen being carried out of churches kicking and fighting their extractors. It's hard to tell at the beginning of a service just which of the nicely dressed ladies will soon begin convulsing and screaming in anguish, but it's a guarantee there will be at least one at your next funeral.

Read more about death, funeral, Funeral Tradition, culture

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