In most parts of the archipelago, people are buried at sea in solemn nighttime ceremonies. The body is cremated and the ashes lowered carefully into the ocean. Those who were close to the deceased gather on small rowboats, carrying lit candles and standing to show respect for their loved one. They cast flower petals where the ashes dissolve to represent fond memories with that person. At funerals, people pray to Hofesh for a safe return to the natural cycle, T'om for an end that concludes all their business, Tza'ar for help navigating grief, S'orah to never forget their contributions, and Lahat to remember them to others. In more inland communities, it's common to instead burn the body in a pyre and throw petals into the flame. On Mar, some people abandon bodies in the forest to be eaten by wildlife, but that practice has been condemned by the Imperial government as disrespectful and is waning in popularity. Many people braid the hair of a deceased loved one to entice Oreish to be hospitable.
A "remembrance tree" (lekleh) is planted at the site of death, or if not possible somewhere with significance to the deceased. Once the tree is grown enough, a ring is carved around the trunk to mark it as not to be cut down. Archivists also plant remembrance trees upon their induction to represent the end of their mortal life, but archivist remembrance trees have three rings instead of one. Although some archivist trees are planted outside the Archive itself, many are planted near the childhood homes of the archivist in question. On Balsik, the trees are carved elaborately in designs centering the marker-ring for a ceremony one year later in which the family sheds their red robes and dress the tree in them. Those who can afford such dyes will paint the whole tree trunk red. It's become popular with wealthier citizens to make a public display of their grief and plant rare or exotic trees. An emperor once infamously planted a whole grove of trees for his departed wife.
Mourners wear red to show their grief. Close friends wear red for about one season and family wear it for a year, but there are people who wear red for longer to display the depth of their loss. On Ikan, people continue to collect and wear small red beads their whole lives to remember the loved ones they've lost.