The person who has died will be displayed in a simple casket with flowers placed at the feet, and a garland of flowers or a necklace of wooden beads draped around the neck. Hindus living outside India may choose to repatriate their loved one’s ashes to India so that they can be spread over the Ganges, but this is not always practical or affordable. Hindu funeral prayers, including mantras and hymns are recited by family and friends around the casket for the duration of the viewing as part of the Hindu funeral rites. “Chandu Tailor and Son is a family run business. Then the bereaved will circle their loved one in prayer and observe the cremation. Non-Hindu mourners are generally welcome to participate in Hindu funeral rites, but there is no pressure to take part if this compromises your own religious beliefs. If you wish to send flowers, they should be sent to the family or funeral director before the funeral service. Indian entrepreneur Nitesh Mehta says his SarvaPooja funeral kits contain the 38 essential items needed for sacred Hindu final rites – and are an ideal solution for bereaved urban professionals with busy lifestyles, or people living overseas. Antyesti - Funeral Traditions in Hinduism. However, the funeral may still take place fairly quickly. Hindu funeral etiquette. A priest or oldest son (or other male) of the family preside at the service. You should do so quietly and respectfully, and without touching the person who has died. You can read more about the Hindu mourning period below. ... Sunil, who came to live in the UK in the 1930s, was a high-caste Brahmin from Bengal. Hindu funeral rites have many variations, so keep in mind that other versions of the following ceremony are possible. In a traditional Hindu funeral there are certain things that happen, including: A lamp is placed by the head of the body; Prayers and hymns being sung; Pindas (rice balls) placed in the coffin; Water sprinkled on the body; A ‘mala’ – a necklace of wooden … To the Hindu culture white means purity, and it is used to show respect to the departed and the family. When death seems imminent, the body should, if possible, be transferred to a grass mat on the floor. Acknowledging there are diverse Hindu beliefs, VHP offers a Minimum Common scriptural text that satisfies Hindu Funeral Rites. Traditionally, on the day following a Hindu funeral, the ashes are scattered in the River Ganges considered sacred by the Hindus. In Hinduism, death is considered a great departure. Sometimes during a Hindu funeral, the family will place a lamp near the head of their loved one or sprinkle water on them. A guide to Hindu funerals, cremation and death rituals. Those present should chant mantras or play a recording of mantras being chanted. Hindus are told to avoid any unnecessary touching of the deceased, as it seen as impure. Before the deceased is cremated, many Hindus place ‘pinda’ (rice balls) close to their loved one. While in most cultures wearing black to a funeral is the norm, during a Hindu funeral most mourners will wear white. Under such difficult times, Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK (World Council of Hindus) is offering its Last Rite Services to those who wish to avail themselves, with all humility and dignity. What to wear to a Hindu funeral? We are able to accommodate your requirements and create a tailored funeral for your loved one, This section will guide you through planning a fitting funeral service for a loved one, from choosing a coffin to writing a memorable eulogy, This guide provides a breakdown of funeral costs, from funeral director fees to optional extras such as flowers and memorials, A guide to what a Funeral Director does, questions to ask when arranging a funeral and how we take the greatest care, 4 King Edwards Court, King Edwards Square, My father's Hindu funeral Tanith Carey's father, Kim, was born a Hindu. Customarily, the family would carry the casket to the crematorium site, but modern Hindu cremations allow for the casket to be transported by vehicle. What to wear to a Hindu funeral differs greatly from most other major religions. Many Indians in the UK choose to scatter the ashes of a loved one in a local river, or at a place of meaning to the family. Hindus try to hold the funeral service before the sun goes down on the day that death takes place. Traditionally, all Hindus (except babies, children and saints) are cremated. Once the Hindu cremation is complete, the service is over and mourners may go home. We promise to support you through one of the most difficult times of your life. Towards the end of the viewing, some Hindus observe the custom of placing rice balls close to their loved one. It is also very common for the deceased men to be wearing white clothes when buried. This may not always be possible outside India but it will take place as soon as possible. Your local Dignity Funeral Director can cater for any type of religious funeral and will help arrange a fitting service which reflects your loved one's beliefs and final wishes. Today, most crematoria can accommodate the traditions and rituals of a Hindu cremation. Traditionally, the bereaved wash their loved one. The person who has died is traditionally only touched when absolutely necessary. Hinduism, with over a billion followers worldwide, first originated in India. Alternatively, many Indians are now choosing to scatter ashes at a local water body or at a preferred place of importance. Historically, all Hindu cremations would take place on the Ganges River in India, though it is now accepted to be cremated locally. After a Hindu Funeral. No head covering is required for either sex and open-toe shoes are also acceptable. Hindu rituals and practices are often related to colours, flowers, and smells, and for Hindu funerals, colours have a special significance. Hindu Funeral Ceremony: The Cremation. In the United Kingdom, the coffin will usually come to the home first for the ceremony and is then taken o the crematorium. There are over 600,000 Hindus in the UK and they represent the third largest faith group in the country after Christians and Muslims. Hindu funeral traditions serve as both a celebration of life and a remembrance of the person who has passed away. COVID-19 tip: If you're planning a virtual Hindu funeral using a service like GatheringUs, you can still adapt many of these Hindu traditions, like chants, prayers, and traditional music, to include your online guests. According to Hindu funeral customs, the body remains at the home until it is cremated, which is usually within 24 hours after death. Hindu funeral flowers are a common tradition. Hindu Funeral Traditions, Customs, and Beliefs. In the funeral service, the casket will be open, and all guests are expected to view the casket but not touch the deceased. The ashes are typically scattered at a sacred body of water or at some other place of importance to the deceased. The priest will then explain what Hindu beliefs are regarding death and what happens to the soul after death, to comfort the grieving family. When a Hindu is approaching death, a priest should be contacted and the priest and the family should gather to be with the dying person. Cremation is usually the norm in Hindu funerals. What happens at a Hindu cremation? In cases when this is not possible, a funeral home will attend to this ritual. Hindu funeral ceremony by the Bagmati river, kathmandu, Nepal, more on my blog: http://nepal-travelandphotography.blogspot.com/ Traditionally, all Hindus (except babies, children and saints) are cremated. Family and friends usually gather around the casket to perform Hindu funeral chants or prayers. If you are of another religious denomination, then you would be expected to sit and quietly observe the Hindu funeral chants. Hindus believe in Karma - that the soul’s next incarnation depends on the actions of the individual in their previous life. The funeral ceremony is called antyeshti samskara, which form the last of the samskaras and vary according to tradition and place. The deceased is generally displayed in a simple casket with flowers placed at their feet. Brainstorm with your funeral director, event planner, or religious leader to help you figure out the logistics or any limitations. Traditionally, after a Hindu cremation the ashes of the deceased should be immersed in the Ganges River, though other rivers worldwide are becoming widely accepted. The service led by a Hindu priest and the elders of the family will consist of chanting and prayers. Hindu Funeral Ashes: why the Thames? Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with over 1.1 billion followers with most living in India and Nepal. Hindu funeral flowers are a common tradition. The Forum was set up in the year 2000 to establish and maintain a cohesive link between all the Hindu Community organisations in Bolton. We always provide an exceptional service and value for money. If you are looking for Hindu Funeral Directors or Jain Funeral Directors in UK with vast experience as funeral directors providing traditional funeral services as per your requirements then we as the leading Indian Funeral Directors in UK are at your service. Women are guided to dress conservatively, covering their arms, chests and knees. Hindu funeral rites are usually made up of chants or mantras, penned to be spoken at a funeral. Although death is a sad occasion, Hindus believe in reincarnation and see death as a transition bringing the soul closer to nirvana (heaven), so funerals tend to have an atmosphere of hope and joy as well as sadness for the loss of a relative or friend. Unlike other religions, black is considered inappropriate for a Hindu funeral. This particular funeral was a Hindu Funeral, which was very beautiful and it took place at Thorncliffe Cemetery and Crematorium in Barrow-in-Furness. The day to day business is led by me, Jay Tailor, the son of Chandu and Hansa Tailor. Any population who migrates to a different country, to a certain extent, will have to assimilate their customs and traditions into the adopted country, Hindus and Hinduism is no different. Cumbria. This guide will explain typical Hindu funeral etiquette and what death rituals must take place before a Hindu cremation. The ceremony itself can last for approximately 30 minutes. Types of funeral services: We know that it is important for Hindu families, to have their cremation held in a traditional way. The burning issue of Hindu funeral pyres Open-air funeral pyres have been at the heart of Hinduism for 4,000 years. According to Hindu funeral customs there is usually an open casket and guests are expected to view it. We have conducted many Hindu Funerals across South London and Surrey, so are familiar with many locations. 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