While reading the reckoning of roku, I started wondering what the various funeral rites for the different nations would look like. An interesting thought dive
I feel the fire nation would hold funeral pyres. The fire benders of the close family and friends would all start it with fire blasts, adding their fire to help usher the deceased into the next life. Somber and reserved, not much is spoken save for titles or successes in life.
The earth benders definitely do a No casket burial. To be taken back and swallowed whole by the earth that bore them. Nobles and rich folk would likely have mausoleums built into mountains and rocks, small holes and indents carved out and covered back up. Perhaps small plates or headstones marking the spot
I think the air nomads would do cremation, but unceremoniously. The ashes are what matter. The funeral itself would be on high mountain tops, where the ashes are scattered to the wind, with a few important air benders adding a controlled breeze to make s ure the ashes scatter to the world.
The water tribes are harder to decide on. The ice and snow would make it difficult for the bodies to decompose. I think maybe they send the body adrift on the sea. A small raft with the body laid on it. Perhaps a few stones tied to the limbs so that when the waves and swells tip the raft over, the body is again swallowed by the element they came from. It's about returning to nature. Maybe in some inland villages, the bodies are laid out near forests to be consumed by animals, because if anyone understands how hard life in the freezing cold can be, it would be water benders.
The water benders of the swamp, I haven't the foggiest idea. But at least one body in history, soaked with water and bloat, floated to the surface and a practical joker water bent it walking around, giving rise to stories of zombies and voodoo practices. It was considered in very poor taste, albeit funny.
