As in many societies, death of a loved one is proceeded by a series of traditional events. In the Tikopian culture various activities occur at different stages following a death. Immediately after a death, wailing begins at the home by family members. Close relatives are quietly informed by the grieving immediate family. News of the death spreads to the neighbors by actually hearing the commotion then by word of mouth from person to person within a village. Sympathizers and well wishers would then flock in to join in the wailing during which they would sing laments in the Tikopian language depending on their relationships towards the deceased.