No city in America has a funeral culture quite like Miami's. With a population that is roughly 70% Hispanic or Latino, plus substantial Haitian, Jewish, Jamaican, Bahamian, and other communities, Miami's approach to death and mourning is as varied as its neighborhoods. This article is a respectful introduction to the practices most commonly observed across Miami's major cultural communities.
Cuban-American Funeral Traditions
Cuban-Americans make up the largest cultural group in Miami-Dade County, and their influence on local funeral culture is profound. Many of the most prominent Miami funeral homes — including the Caballero Rivero family of chapels — were built specifically to serve this community.
The Velorio (Wake)
The centerpiece of Cuban-American funeral traditions is the velorio — a wake that typically runs for 24 to 48 hours, often in the funeral home's chapel. The body is present (usually in an open casket), and the atmosphere combines grief with community. Attendees bring flowers (though this is changing), share food, and support the family through extended presence rather than brief condolence calls.
The velorio is a social event as much as a mourning ritual — stories are told, Cuban coffee (cafecito) is consumed in quantity, and family members may be surrounded by well-wishers throughout the night. Funeral homes serving the Cuban community typically provide separate family rooms, cafeteria-style refreshment areas, and chapels that can accommodate large gatherings.
Religious Elements
The majority of Cuban-American families are Catholic. A funeral Mass at a local Catholic church often follows the viewing and precedes burial. Rosary prayers are commonly said during the velorio. Some families blend Catholic traditions with Santería practices, though this is typically done privately.
Burial Preference
Traditional Cuban families strongly prefer burial, and many families hold plots at Miami-Dade County cemeteries including Woodlawn Park and Our Lady of Mercy. Cremation has grown among younger generations but remains less common among older families who emigrated from Cuba.
Funeral Homes Serving This Community
The Caballero Rivero family of chapels (Little Havana, Westchester, Sunset, Hialeah, and Southern locations) has been serving Miami's Cuban community for over 60 years. La Paz Funeral Home and Graceland Funeral Home also have strong ties to this community.
Haitian-American Funeral Traditions
Miami-Dade County is home to one of the largest Haitian diaspora populations in the world. Haitian funeral traditions are deeply rooted in family, community, and faith — typically Catholic or Baptist, with some Protestant evangelical traditions.
The Wake and the Service
Haitian-American funerals typically include a viewing period (often at the funeral home) followed by a church service. The church service can be long — two to three hours is not uncommon — with extensive singing, prayer, and eulogies from community members. Family and friends travel from across the U.S. and sometimes from Haiti itself to attend.
Community Participation
Haitian funerals are deeply communal. Extended family networks, church communities, and neighborhood associations all participate. It is customary to bring food to the family's home after the burial. The gathering following burial — similar to a repast in African-American tradition — can be substantial and festive in spirit, honoring the life lived.
Burial Preference
Traditional Haitian practice strongly favors burial. There is also a tradition, among some families, of repatriating the deceased to Haiti for burial — a service offered by several Miami funeral homes that specialize in international shipping.
International Repatriation
Miami is one of the U.S. cities most experienced in international body repatriation — particularly to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, and Brazil. Funeral homes like Florida Funeral Home and Crematory in Allapattah and several others have staff experienced in the international documentation and coordination required.
Jewish Funeral Traditions
Miami has a large and diverse Jewish community — including Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi families. Jewish funeral traditions vary by level of observance, but several practices are broadly shared.
Timing
Jewish law calls for burial as soon as possible after death — ideally within 24 hours. This is a mark of respect for the deceased. Families should alert any funeral home they contact that Jewish burial is being arranged, so the timeline can be prioritized.
Shomer and Tahara
Traditional Jewish practice requires someone to be with the body at all times from death until burial (shomer). The body is also ritually washed and prepared by a Chevra Kadisha (burial society) — a practice called tahara. The Chesed Shel Emet Chevra Kadisha serves Miami's traditional Jewish community.
Casket Requirements
Traditional Jewish law requires a simple, all-wood casket so the body can return to the earth. Many Jewish families use a plain pine casket. Metal caskets are not used in traditional Jewish burial.
Burial and Shiva
Burial in a Jewish section of a cemetery is standard. After burial, the family observes shiva — seven days of mourning at home, during which the community visits and brings food. Funeral homes serving the Jewish community (including Levitt-Weinstein in Aventura) are familiar with coordinating shiva transportation and scheduling.
Cremation
Traditional Jewish law prohibits cremation. Reform and liberal Jewish families may make different choices, but cremation remains relatively rare in Miami's Jewish community.
African-American Funeral Traditions
Miami's African-American community — rooted in neighborhoods like Liberty City, Model City, Overtown, and Carol City — has a rich funeral tradition that blends Baptist and other Protestant church influence with strong community bonds.
The Home-Going Service
The funeral is often referred to as a "Home-Going Service" — a celebration of the deceased's transition to heaven. These services tend to be longer and more musically vibrant than many other traditions, with gospel music, testimonials, and an open casket so the community can pay respects. Services are often held at the church the deceased attended, with the funeral home coordinating transportation.
Community Role
The church and the family's social network are central. A repast following burial — a full meal hosted by the church or family — brings the community together. Families often display photographs, mementos, and memory boards.
Funeral Homes Serving This Community
Miami has several long-established African-American funeral homes, including Gregg L. Mason Funeral Home in North Miami, Wright & Young Funeral Home, Richardson Funeral Home, and Range Funeral Home in Model City.
What to Look for When Choosing a Culturally Competent Funeral Home
When searching for a Miami funeral home for a family with specific cultural or religious needs, ask:
- Do you have staff who speak [Spanish/Haitian Creole/Hebrew/Portuguese]?
- Do you have experience with [Catholic funeral Masses / Jewish burial requirements / repatriation to Haiti or Cuba]?
- Can you accommodate a 24–48 hour velorio with refreshments?
- Are you familiar with working with the Chevra Kadisha?
- Do you have relationships with churches or religious leaders from [specific denomination]?
Use our Miami funeral home directory to search by name and find homes in specific neighborhoods where cultural familiarity is often strongest.