I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.I have been reading a lot about belief systems lately. Although most of the discussion comes from people who don't value faith or belief, there is a good case for an anthropomorphic origin for all of our religious activities. The same patterns repeat over and over within various religions. It may be that the similarities aren't copied from each other as much as they are fundamental to our innermost expression of what GOD is! We create lesser gods in our hero myths. They too follow a pattern that is recognizable. That may be what has become so boring about television and movies. There simply isn't any story that can be related that offers a fresh view. Our imagination is severely bounded and our intelligence fails. Our minds may be bound up in these codes. Our whole experience as a person may be limited to a set of prearranged responses and stimuli. When exposed to a hero or god myth, our response may be just as determined as our physical structure.
Gerry Spence, 'How to Argue and Win Every Time'
Effigies are used in grieving by providing a tangible representation of what has been lost, allowing a mourner to connect with who or what they've lost , which can help with the process of acceptance and emotional expression, particularly when the loss is sudden or traumatic; they can be used to focus grief and memories around a physical likeness, offering a sense of continued presence even in their absence