Sacred scents have been integral to death rituals across cultures for centuries. These fragrances - like sage, copal, and Palo Santo - serve to purify spaces, guide spirits, and connect the living with the spiritual world. From Mesoamerican copal offerings to North American smudging and Australian Aboriginal smoking ceremonies, each practice highlights the symbolic and spiritual significance of aromatic plants. Here’s a quick summary:
Purification: Sage, cedar, and copal cleanse spaces and dispel negative energy.
Spirit Guidance: Fragrances like sweetgrass and marigolds help guide souls.
Protection: Palo Santo and cedar protect against harmful influences.
Cultural Continuity: Despite historical suppression, these practices endure in modern rituals, blending ancestral traditions with contemporary memorial practices.
These scents not only honor the deceased but also provide comfort to the grieving, symbolizing transformation and connection across realms.
Sacred Scents in Death Rituals Across Four Indigenous Cultures
Mesoamerican Death Rituals and Sacred Scents
Copal in Aztec and Maya Rituals
For the Aztecs and Maya, copal resin held immense spiritual significance, serving as nourishment for the gods. While humans relied on maize for sustenance, it was believed that the deities thrived on the smoke of copal resin. The Aztecs even referred to it as Iztacteteo, or "White God", a nod to the dense, white smoke it produced. This offering was not merely symbolic - it was essential for maintaining cosmic harmony.
Copal also carried deep symbolic meaning. The Aztecs viewed trees as sacred, sentient beings that connected the underworld to the heavens. To them, copal resin was the lifeblood of these cosmic pillars. Harvesting the resin using maguey spikes - tools also employed in ritual bloodletting - represented a shared act of sacrifice, reinforcing the balance of life and the cosmos.
"The priests of the Idols… brought us incense of a sort of resin which they call copal, and with pottery braziers full of live coals, they began to fumigate us."
Spanish conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo
In death rituals, copal played a multifaceted role. Its smoke was believed to purify spaces, repel malevolent spirits, and guide souls through the underworld. This journey, which spanned eight stages over several years, required ongoing support from the living, who burned copal to aid the deceased.
Copal’s importance extended beyond ritual use into the Aztec economy. Regions under Aztec control contributed large quantities of this resin as tribute to the capital, Tenochtitlan. Remarkably, samples of copal unearthed at the Templo Mayor - preserved for over 500 years - still retain their distinct aroma.
These ancient practices continue to influence modern traditions, particularly in today’s Day of the Dead celebrations, where the use of copal bridges past and present.
Day of the Dead: Copal in Contemporary Practice
The role of copal in Mesoamerican rituals has seamlessly transitioned into its use during Day of the Dead ceremonies. On ofrendas (altars), copal represents the element of air and is believed to create a safe passage for spirits entering the homes of their loved ones. In a survey of 19 practitioners, the most common reasons for burning copal included elevating prayers to God, guiding the spirits of the deceased back home, and offering spiritual nourishment to the departed.
This tradition has transcended borders and continues to evolve. For example, in September 2018, the indigenous dance group Grupo Tlaloc performed in Denver, Colorado, incorporating copal into purification rituals during their opening ceremonies. This act served as both a celebration of Mexican — American identity and a connection to ancient Mesoamerican religious practices. Similarly, in November 2022, Maestro Carlos Casteñeda highlighted how copal remains relevant, finding a place in modern U.S. ritual contexts while honoring its indigenous roots.
Although Catholic authorities banned the use of copal in church services from the 16th century until the late 19th century due to its association with indigenous "pagan" rituals, the tradition endured. Today, copal is widely available in Latin American markets, ensuring that this ancient practice remains accessible to those who wish to honor it.
Palo Santo in South American Death Rites
Cleansing and Spirit Protection with Palo Santo
Often referred to as "Holy Wood" in Spanish, Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) has been a cornerstone of South American death rituals dating back to the Incan era. Indigenous groups in Peru, Ecuador, and the Amazon basin hold this fragrant wood in high regard, seeing it as a sacred offering from nature, valued even after its natural life ends [18, 21].
"Healers and shamans of South America believe that Palo Santo has a strong spirit that has to be treated with respect." - Marina, Modern ŌM
In funeral ceremonies, Palo Santo is typically lit at a 45-degree angle, allowed to burn for 30 to 60 seconds, and then extinguished to release its dense, aromatic smoke. This smoke, known for its sweet, woody, and citrus-like scent, is carefully wafted around the body and the space to dispel negative energy [18, 19]. Many believe its aroma invites positive spirits, creating a protective and uplifting environment.
To ensure its potency, Palo Santo is sourced from naturally fallen trees that have aged for 3 to 8 years - sometimes up to 30 years. This aging process concentrates its aromatic resins, such as limonene and α-terpineol, which are key to its unique fragrance and spiritual properties [19, 21].
Beyond its role in cleansing, Palo Santo is deeply embedded in shamanic practices, especially during death rites.
Palo Santo in Shamanic Death Ceremonies
For Amazonian shamans, or curanderos, Palo Santo is much more than a tool for purification - it serves as a vital link between the physical and spiritual worlds [18, 24]. During death ceremonies, shamans use its smoke and essential oils to purify the spirit and provide healing for the body. As Harlem Candle Co. highlights, the smoke is also believed to open channels for communicating with ancestors and divine forces, helping shamans guide the deceased on their spiritual journey. This tradition remains central to groups like the Quechua and Aymara [19, 21, 23].
Palo Santo is part of the Burseraceae family, which also includes frankincense and myrrh - resins that have played significant roles in death rituals across various cultures for thousands of years [19, 22]. Its softer, sweeter aroma, compared to sage, makes it a preferred choice for both traditional ceremonies and contemporary cleansing practices.
North American Indigenous Smudging Rituals
Sage in Death Ceremonies
For many Native American tribes, four sacred medicines - tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass - play a vital role in purifying ceremonial spaces, especially during death rites. Among these, white sage (Salvia apiana) holds a special importance in cleansing rituals, aimed at removing negative energy from both the deceased and the grieving.
White sage is believed to act as a bridge between the living and the spirit world, offering purification and protection. During funeral rituals, its smoke is carefully wafted over the body or throughout the space, often using a hand or an eagle feather. This act is seen as a way to summon divine energy and clear spiritual blockages. For those in mourning, this process is essential, as smudging is thought to ease emotional burdens.
"Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit) understood messages better if delivered by smoke than those said with words." - McGill University
The ashes from the ceremony are returned to the earth, symbolizing the release of negative energy back into nature. After the cleansing with sage, other sacred herbs like sweetgrass and cedar are used to establish a space for healing and renewal.
Sweetgrass and Cedar in Mourning Rituals
Following the purifying effects of sage, sweetgrass and cedar work together to bring balance and invite healing energies. Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), often called Mother Earth’s sacred hair, is used to attract positive energies after a space has been cleared. Cedar (Thuja occidentalis/plicata), affectionately referred to as "Grandmother Medicine", is used to protect against spiritual harm and to welcome sacred presence.
Sweetgrass is traditionally braided into 21 strands, each carrying a deeper meaning: seven strands honor the past seven generations, seven represent the seven sacred teachings (Love, Respect, Honesty, Courage, Wisdom, Truth, and Humility), and seven symbolize the seven future generations.
Cedar, on the other hand, is used to protect and sanctify offerings, embodying its role as a guardian medicine.
"Cedar, the grandmother that loved her people." - Ogimaa Wab, Storyteller
Together, these herbs reflect the four elements during smudging rituals: the vessel symbolizes water, the herbs represent earth, the burning process signifies fire, and the smoke or feather embodies air. This harmonious practice helps mourners find peace and renewal, with smoke gently fanned over their eyes to bring clarity, their ears to welcome kindness, and their hearts to embrace positivity.
Australian Aboriginal Smoking Ceremonies for the Deceased
Cleansing the Soul Through Smoke
For thousands of years, Australian Aboriginal communities have practiced smoking ceremonies as a way to cleanse the spirit of the deceased and guide it safely to the afterlife. These ceremonies often begin at the home of the deceased, where Traditional Custodians burn native plants such as emu bush, eucalyptus, peppermint, or sandalwood. The aromatic smoke produced is believed to serve as a spiritual bridge, connecting the living world to the Dreaming.
"The smoking ceremony aims to drive the deceased’s spirit away and toward the afterlife." - Willed
This sacred ritual ensures that the spirit does not linger among the living or cause disturbances. Interestingly, modern scientific studies have supported the traditional use of emu bush (Eremophila longifolia), highlighting its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
The choice of plants varies by region, reflecting each community’s deep connection to their land, or "Country." During the ceremony, participants waft the smoke over their bodies, seeking protection and spiritual healing. In some Northern Territory communities, strict traditional laws are observed - such as refraining from speaking the deceased’s name or displaying their image - to avoid unsettling the spirit.
Community and Spiritual Connection in Funeral Rites
Beyond cleansing the spirit, smoking ceremonies play a vital role in strengthening communal bonds during times of loss. When someone passes away, communities enter a period of mourning known as "Sorry Business." During this time, daily activities pause as everyone comes together to share grief and offer support to the bereaved family. The smoking ceremony becomes a focal point of this collective mourning, symbolizing unity and healing.
"Smoking ceremonies are used for burial, celebration, healing, and cleansing, and are also a gesture of goodwill that brings people together." - Aboriginal Cultural Immersions
Some traditions, like those of the Arunta people, include additional rituals such as Urpmilchima, or "trampling the twigs." This ceremony, performed 12 to 18 months after burial, involves mourners dancing around the grave and beating the air to help the spirit settle into its final resting place. These deeply spiritual practices are led by knowledge holders, individuals entrusted with cultural wisdom passed down through generations of Elders. Their guidance ensures the ceremonies remain true to their sacred origins rather than becoming mere performances.
These rituals highlight the enduring importance of sacred smoke and ceremonial practices in connecting communities, honoring the deceased, and maintaining spiritual harmony.
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Across cultures and centuries, sacred scents have been deeply intertwined with rituals of cleansing, guidance, and protection. Indigenous communities have long believed these fragrances purify spaces, connect the living to the spiritual realm, and safeguard both the deceased and the grieving from harmful energies.
Take Roman Britain in the 4th century AD, for example. Elite burials often included frankincense imported from southern Arabia or eastern Africa. This highlights not only the practical importance of aromatic resins but also their perceived transformative power.
Symbolic Meanings of Aromatic Practices
The significance of sacred scents goes far beyond their practical use. In Mesoamerican traditions, copal was cherished as "food of the gods." Its smoke was seen as an offering, akin to ground maize, sustaining the spirits. Many ancient cultures even likened tree sap to blood, considering resin a sacred sacrifice meant to nourish the divine.
Each scent carries its own meaning. Sage is associated with healing and wisdom. Sweetgrass, often called the "hair of Mother Earth", represents kindness. Cedar is believed to ward off harmful forces, while tobacco acts as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. These fragrances often embody the elements of air and fire, with their smoke symbolizing faith and devotion - especially in Catholic rituals where incense represents the fervor of Christian virtue.
Continuity Through Fragrance Rituals
Sacred scents remain a vital thread connecting modern traditions to ancestral roots. For instance, copal continues to play a central role in 21st-century Danza ceremonies in Denver, Colorado. These rituals serve as acts of decolonial resistance, reaffirming Indigenous identities while tracing back to pre — Columbian heritage. In Mexico, copal - once banned in churches until the late 19th century - persisted in domestic altars and eventually became intertwined with Catholic All Saints’ Day practices.
These enduring rituals underscore the idea of death as a transformation. Sacred scents act as a bridge, maintaining ties between the living and the departed. Beyond their symbolic role, they also have practical uses. For example, copal’s antimicrobial properties are harnessed in fumigating corn seeds (pomixi), helping to improve crop yields.
Modern Applications and Preservation
Preserving Indigenous Fragrance Practices
Indigenous communities continue to honor their sacred scent traditions, even as globalization and cultural shifts pose challenges to their preservation. These practices are often passed down within families, with mothers and grandmothers teaching younger generations how to set up ofrendas and burn copal with care and intention. In urban areas like Denver, Colorado, Danza ceremonies still incorporate copal, bridging time and space in what researcher Rebecca Jolene Mendoza describes as a connection "temporally and spatially, across thousands of miles and millennia". These ceremonies not only preserve tradition but also act as a form of decolonial resistance, reclaiming Indigenous identity through the power of aromatic rituals.
Efforts to sustainably harvest copal are equally important. Communities are protecting the Bursera Bipinnata tree, using simple tools to collect resin responsibly. This approach ensures the longevity of a vital cultural resource while also providing economic support to rural communities. These preservation efforts safeguard both cultural heritage and natural resources, ensuring that these traditions remain a part of modern life.
Sacred Scents in Modern Memorial Practices
Today, memorial practices are shifting toward eco-conscious and natural alternatives. In October 2017, Sandra Daugherty chose Undertaking LA - an alternative funeral home founded by mortician Caitlin Doughty - for her father Grady Ross Daugherty’s burial. The family opted for a green burial, using an eco-friendly wicker coffin that naturally decomposes, rejecting the artificiality of traditional funerals.
"Every funeral I’ve ever been to has just been awful... the funeral parlor smell and the way the casket looks and the fake flowers. It just always felt really tacky and kind of just empty."
– Sandra, Daughter of Grady Ross Daugherty
This shift reflects broader trends in the U.S., where cremation rates rose dramatically - from 6% in 1980 to 50% by 2017. Many people are moving away from chemical embalming and cement liners, embracing biodegradable materials and natural fragrances instead. Caitlin Doughty highlights this transformation:
"It’s a beautiful transition of dead body to ash and bone. It’s a sacred transition for many people".
Native American holistic healing principles are also finding a place in modern grief practices. These principles emphasize balance - within oneself, one’s community, and one’s cultural heritage. Rituals like smudging with sage, cedar, or sweetgrass are now commonly used to purify spaces before memorial ceremonies. Additionally, some individuals turn to fragrance layering - using scented bath oils, lotions, and perfumes throughout the day - as a way to process grief and anchor their emotions. These evolving practices create a meaningful bridge between ancestral traditions and contemporary rituals.
As memorial traditions continue to evolve, personal exploration of curated scents offers a tangible way to connect with these age-old practices. Scento provides travel-friendly decants (0.75 ml, 2 ml, 8 ml) that allow you to experience complex fragrances without committing to full bottles. By focusing on scents inspired by traditional materials like resins, woods, and botanicals - elements used in spiritual practices for centuries - you can craft a personal scent wardrobe that aligns with your own rituals of remembrance.
With a selection of over 1,000 designer fragrances and an optional 8 ml subscription, Scento offers a diverse range of options. Many indie fragrance houses are now incorporating traditional resins like copal into their creations, making these ancient aromas accessible to modern audiences while preserving their spiritual significance. Whether you’re drawn to earthy, resinous notes or lighter botanical profiles, exploring these fragrances can deepen your connection to the aromatic traditions that have helped humanity navigate loss for generations.
Using Essential Oils in End of Life & Death Care
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Sacred Scents
Across centuries and cultures, sacred scents have served as profound connections between the living and the spiritual. From the burning of copal in Mesoamerican rituals to the ceremonial use of sage in North American traditions, these practices share a unifying purpose: cleansing spaces, guiding spirits, and preserving bonds with those who have departed.
These rituals persist because they intertwine community and spirituality. Despite the impact of colonial suppression, copal still holds its place as the "aromatic heart" of death rituals in Mexico and Central America.
"The fragrance served as a transcendental expression of one’s prayers being carried to the divine".
This enduring significance stems from scent’s unique ability to act as a physical medium that bridges the earthly and the spiritual.
Indigenous traditions offer a profound perspective on grief and memory, viewing death not as an end but as a transition where relationships endure through rituals and fragrance. In these customs, the smoke from sacred resins is believed to nourish spirits - a practice rooted in ancient Mesoamerican ceremonies where copal was shaped into ceremonial corn cobs as offerings.
This ancient wisdom finds its way into contemporary memorial practices. With cremation rates in the U.S. rising from 6% in 1980 to 50% by 2017, there’s been a shift toward more personal, sensory-rich ceremonies. Whether through the traditional act of smudging or modern explorations of fragrance, these rituals offer a way to restore harmony between body, mind, and spirit during times of loss.
The link between scent and memory preserves heritage and provides comfort in grief. Sacred scents continue to transcend generations and geography, seamlessly connecting ancestral traditions to the ways we honor and remember today.
FAQs
Why are sacred scents important in death and mourning rituals across cultures?
Scents have long held a profound place in death rituals across various cultures, symbolizing both reverence for the departed and guidance for their spiritual journey. In ancient Mesoamerican customs, offerings of fragrant incense were believed to help guide souls to the afterlife while also providing solace to the grieving community. Similarly, the Romans incorporated luxurious spices like frankincense and myrrh to pay tribute to the dead and establish a connection with divine realms. In Egypt, embalmers used aromatic oils and resins during mummification, both to preserve the body and to mark the sacred transition into the afterlife.
For many indigenous cultures, natural aromatic elements such as herbs and resins hold sacred significance, representing the cyclical nature of life and death. These scents act as powerful sensory symbols, creating a bridge between the living and the departed while reinforcing cultural beliefs about harmony and continuity.
In the modern era, platforms like Scento offer an opportunity to rediscover the enduring role of scent in commemorating loved ones. Through curated fragrances, they provide a way to evoke reverence and foster a deeply personal connection in moments of remembrance.
How has the use of copal evolved from ancient Mesoamerican rituals to modern Day of the Dead traditions?
Copal, a fragrant resin derived from trees in the Burseraceae family, has been deeply woven into the spiritual and cultural practices of Mesoamerican civilizations for centuries. Ancient societies like the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs revered copal for its sacred properties, often burning it during rituals to honor deities, cleanse spaces, and foster spiritual connections. Its reddish sap, seen as a symbol of human blood and life, played a profound role in ceremonial offerings.
Even today, copal holds a prominent place in Day of the Dead traditions. It is burned on ofrendas (altars) and during processions, its aromatic smoke thought to purify the surroundings and guide the spirits of the departed back to the living. This practice creates a bridge between generations, honoring both memory and the cycle of life and death. While rooted in ancient traditions, copal continues to evolve, finding relevance in modern urban and global settings, yet never losing its spiritual essence.
Why is Palo Santo significant in South American death rituals?
Palo Santo, which translates to “holy wood”, comes from the Bursera graveolens tree native to Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. In many South American indigenous traditions, it holds profound spiritual significance, often regarded as a link between the living and the spirits of ancestors. During death rituals, the aromatic smoke from Palo Santo is used to purify spaces, banish negative energy, and guide the soul of the departed on its journey to the afterlife.
Known for its sweet, woody, and slightly spicy scent, Palo Santo is believed to enhance spiritual energy and sharpen the focus of ceremonial intentions. Its role in cleansing and balancing the environment makes it an essential tool for shamans, aiding communities in honoring their loved ones and ensuring a serene passage to the spirit realm.
