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Hindus believe that death marks the transition of the soul from one personification to the next. They believe that this is the point at which the spirit begins its journey to Heaven (Hindu Traditions, 2005).
Hindus believe in the idea of reincarnation, so the funeral is seen as much a celebration of the deceased's life as it is a remembrance of it. Hindus cremate their dead with the burning of the dead body being seen as the release of the spirit. They believe that the flames during the cremation are representative of the presence of the god Brahma, who is the creator. As with all religions rituals play an important role in their beliefs. Hindus believe that the ideal way to die is while lying on the floor, so that they are in contact with the earth. After the death family members will perform prayers. The idea of touching the body is considered to be corrupt but many mourners will do this as they say good bye (Hindu Traditions, 2005).
Mourners will traditionally wear white Indian garments to the funeral festivities. Prayers are usually said at the entrance to the crematorium and are generally said all the way through. Flowers and treats are often passed around while much noise is made with horns and bells, as part of the funeral rituals. The chief mourner, which is usually the eldest son or oldest male in the family, is the family representative in the funeral proceedings. The chief mourner along with all the male members of the family often shaves their heads as a gesture of respect to the deceased. Scriptures are usually read and the body is sent away while...
After the cremation, the family will gather for a meal and prayers. This officially starts a period of mourning that usually lasts for 13 days and is the time that friends and family will visit and offer their condolences (Hindu Traditions, 2005).
The Hindus take their religion and its rituals very seriously. They have many choices that they can follow and which path they chose to take is completely up to each individual. All paths are seen as valid and each has its own course to follow in order for a person to reach liberation and connect with the divine. The culmination of their religious beliefs can be seen in their funeral practices. The ceremonies are used not only to say goodbye to the deceased but also to celebrate the life that they lived. The cremation ceremony is quite a celebration, complete with bells and horns. The Hindus believe that the dead are reincarnated and the cremation is the beginning of the process in which the spirits are released into the next stage of their being. After the cremation the family goes through an extensive mourning process that lasts for several days in which friends and family members alike participate in.
References
Hindu Traditions. (2005). Retrieved April 10, 2009, from YGo Hinduisim Web site:
http://hinduism.ygoy.com/hindu-ideology/traditions.php
Religious Traditions and Beliefs. (2009). Retrieved April 10, 2009, from if I Should Die Web
site: http://www.ifishoulddie.co.uk/religious-traditions-and-beliefs-c37.html
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