Which people historically engaged in burying their dead in a standing position?

The Guanches, the indigenous people of the Canary Islands, historically engaged in burying their dead in a standing position. This practice is distinctive and is often associated with their unique cultural and religious beliefs about death and the afterlife. The standing burial position is believed to symbolize a transitional phase, reflecting their views on life after death.

This method of burial set the Guanches apart from other ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, who practiced elaborate tomb constructions and mummification for preserving bodies horizontally. Similarly, Greeks and Mongolians had their own burial customs that involved lying the deceased down in graves or elaborate tombs rather than in a standing position. The Guanche practice emphasizes how cultural beliefs and environmental conditions can influence funeral customs, making it a notable example within the study of historical funeral practices.