What Freneau admires about the burial rites of Native Americans is that
- The rites imply that the deceased will live actively after death.
As described in the poem, they are buried in a sitting position, which suggests they are active in their afterlife:
<em>"The Indian, when from life released, </em>
<em>Again is seated with his friends, </em>
<em> And shares again the joyous feast. "</em>
This is very different to burial rites of most of us, in which we bury the people in a lying position, since we regard afterlife as eternal rest, sleep.
<em>"His imaged birds, and painted bowl, </em>
<em> And venison, for a journey dressed, </em>
<em>Bespeak the nature of the soul, </em>
<em> </em><em> </em><u><em>Activity</em></u><u><em>, that knows no rest</em></u><em>. "</em>
