Two-Spirit Funeral Traditions in First Nations Communities

Two-Spirit is a term some Indigenous people use for culturally specific gender, sexual, and/or spiritual identities. It is not a universal identity or a single pan-Indigenous funeral protocol. When a Two-Spirit person dies, the family and community may need to navigate the person's identity, chosen family, and Nation-specific ceremony together.

The Traditional Role of Two-Spirit People

The term "Two-Spirit" was introduced at a 1990 Indigenous gathering in Winnipeg. Some Indigenous people use it for culturally specific gender, sexual, and/or spiritual identities; not all Indigenous people identify with it, and Nation-specific terms may carry different meanings. Terms such as nádleehí, winkte, and agokwe belong to particular Nation-specific contexts and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Some Nations have teachings about distinct Two-Spirit roles, but those teachings and responsibilities are Nation-specific. Do not assume that a Two-Spirit person is a mediator, healer, or ceremony leader, or that they have a particular role in body preparation; ask the family and an appropriate Elder or Knowledge Keeper.

When a Two-Spirit Person Dies

The funeral protocols for a Two-Spirit individual should reflect how they lived and identified. This means the family, Elder, and funeral organizers need to address several questions early:

How did the person identify? The name, pronouns, and gendered language used throughout the funeral — in prayers, eulogies, and the obituary — should match how the deceased identified in life, not how their birth certificate reads.

Traditional regalia or modern clothing? If the deceased wore regalia that reflected their Two-Spirit identity (ribbon shirts, specific beadwork patterns, ceremonial items gifted to them in their role), those items should dress the body. Some families may resist this, particularly if they were not fully accepting of the person's identity. An Elder who understands Two-Spirit traditions can mediate these conversations.

Clan and labour roles. Where a community uses a clan-based division of funeral work, ask how responsibilities are assigned. Do not assume that a gendered role, a clan role, or a particular task applies without local guidance.

Navigating Family and Community Tensions

The most difficult aspect of planning a Two-Spirit person's funeral is often not the ceremony itself but the family dynamics surrounding it. A Two-Spirit individual who was estranged from their birth family due to homophobia may have a chosen family that knew them far more intimately. Who has authority over funeral arrangements depends on provincial or territorial law, any legally recognized instructions, and the person authorized to direct disposition; chosen family may not automatically have that authority.

If the deceased left clear instructions, a will or other legally recognized direction may affect arrangements. An advance care plan or informal written wishes can guide the family but do not necessarily determine disposition authority. An Elder or Indigenous Patient Navigator can help advocate for honouring the person's expressed wishes, particularly when those wishes reflect their Two-Spirit identity.

In communities that are actively reclaiming Two-Spirit traditions, the funeral itself can become an act of cultural restoration. Elders may use the occasion to teach younger community members about the historical role of Two-Spirit people, reframing the funeral not as a controversy but as a return to traditional values that predate the colonial suppression.

Ceremony Adaptations

There is no single First Nations funeral protocol. Whether a community uses a four-day fire, smudging, a spirit plate, or a giveaway depends on the Nation, family, and local ceremony; these practices do not automatically apply because the deceased was Two-Spirit.

Where adaptation may be needed is in gendered mourning practices. In traditions where specific mourning roles are assigned by gender (for example, women preparing the body in Cree practice), the community may need to decide collectively whether a Two-Spirit person follows the practice aligned with their identity, their birth sex, or a distinct Two-Spirit protocol. There is no single correct answer — it depends on the Nation, the community, and the deceased's own wishes.

Finding Support

If you are planning a funeral for a Two-Spirit family member and facing resistance from other relatives, an Elder who holds Two-Spirit teachings can be an essential mediator. The Two-Spirit community in Canada maintains networks through organizations like the 2 Spirits in Motion Society (Alberta), Two-Spirited People of Manitoba, and the national 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations.

Our First Nations Canadian Funeral Guide covers the complete four-day funeral timeline and ceremony protocols, including guidance on working with Elders when family dynamics are complex.