Hindu Rituals After the Death of a Loved One
After the passing of a loved one, Hindus begin their rituals immediately and the practices can continue up until 40 days after the death. Generally, all of the physical procedures are done within 24 hours; however, if a parent has died, time is allowed for the children to arrive if they live a distance away.
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Preparation of the Body
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Preparations begin right after death. Immediately after death, the body is bathed, sometimes by females who were close to the deceased. A priest applies the local marks of the community, applies sacred ash and chants holy mantras. Immediate family members put rice in the mouth, flowers on the body and coins in the hands.
Cremation vs. Burial
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Most bodies are cremated. Cremation is the most popular method in the faith. However, some communities do burials, and burials are usually used for the bodies of children and sanyasis (devoted followers of the god Shiva).
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Traditions Before the Cremation
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No fires are lit until the body is cremated. Out of respect for the grief and sorrow of the family, no cooking is done in the house until after the cremation. Dr. Vasudha Narayana, professor of religion at the University of Florida and head of the American Academy of Religion says: "There is a saying that the fire in the house is not lit until the fire in the cremation pyre has gone out."
After the Cremation
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Ashes are scattered into a river. Those close to the deceased light a lamp where the person died in order to guide his soul; water is also left out for nourishment. The next day the ashes are put into a river or scattered over the land in India. Prayers are common, but religious hymns are a more modern element. A common prayer is the recitation of the thousand names of Vishnu.
Aftermath
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Families may slowly reintegrate into the community. The family needs to be reintergrated into the society in a certain number of days. The length of time can be anywhere from 13 to 40 days depending on the community and caste.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit antient hindu sculpture. image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com clock image by Elena Nabokova from Fotolia.com cremation urn image by GiGiZ from Fotolia.com Flame of a fire and fire wood in fireplace image by Aliaksandr Zabudzko from Fotolia.com river image by michael langley from Fotolia.com shore community image by Adrian Hillman from Fotolia.com
