[10] Theologian and biologist Oliver Putz notes that, since chimpanzees are capable of moral agency, it is possible for Christians to understand them as having been made in the image of God.
[11] Furthermore, Nancy R. Howell suggests that "chimpanzees and bonobos may have the precursors for culture and spirituality, such as connectedness, interdependence and sociality and a level of 'symbolic capacity'".
Elephants have [been] observed burying their dead with large quantities of food, fruit, flowers and colourful foliage.
[10] Crows and other corvids also seem to participate in funeral-like ritualistic behavior, including gathering around and holding vigils over the carcass.
[9][18] The ritual lives of animals are of interest to paleoanthropologists, as they provide a convenient insight into how religious belief systems may have developed in our ancestors.
The study of allied behaviours in non-human animals provides an opportunity to understand their nature and function in man.
However, De Waal notes that bonobos show no evidence of ritual behaviour yet are extremely peaceful and demonstrate moral agency.