How Western Regulation Impede the Grieving Process of Alaska Natives

Background: The Koyukon Athabascans are an indigenous group from interior Alaska and they have a deep respect for their dead and prefer to care for the deceased in a traditional manner. Their firmly held beliefs are often tested when the process is interrupted by other agencies that have no understanding of the Koyukon culture. Delays from urban funeral homes and the State Medical Examiner hinder the grieving process as well as rigid mortuary policies that obstruct the Koyukon from practicing their cultural burial rites. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted using Kaltag as a case study. There were two focus groups and five individual interviews with participants, who were Koyukon Athabascan, age 40+, had good knowledge of Koyukon culture, and participated in a funeral. Results: Western regulations impede the grieving process of Alaska Natives by denying them quick access to the deceased which is vital to their culture. Conclusions: Delays interfere with the grieving process and cultural practices which compounds grief and keeps the bereaved from returning to a reordered role in life. Recommendations for improvement include hiring a second medical examiner in Fairbanks, not delaying remains due to a holiday or mortuary hours, refrain from removing deceased Koyukon from the village unless necessary, creating a cultural guide for funeral homes and a guide to help Alaska Natives navigate through the process of bringing their deceased loved ones home, and improve communication from the State Medical Examiner and Alaska State Troopers.