Buddhist Funerals – Importance And Customs
A Buddhist funeral consists of elaborate last rites performed according to sacrosanct rituals and traditions. The funeral ceremony, according to Buddhism, signifies the liberation of the deceased’s soul, which was trapped in the mundane world of existence, and its quest for a new life after death.
In a typical Buddhist funeral, the body of the departed is cremated and Buddhist monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the last rites. The dormant positive energies are freed from the soul by the chanting of the correct sutras by Buddhist monks who read from the holy scriptures. To avoid any decomposition in case of delayed cremation, the deceased’s body is prepared carefully while the chanting is going on. Once the body is bathed, it is placed along with candles, bouquets and incense in a casket along with a photograph of the dead person.
The Abhidharma, a holy Buddhist scripture is read everyday by visiting Buddhist monks during the funeral days even when the cremation is delayed to accommodate the visitors from far away places.
On the day of the funeral, Buddhist monks perform the last rites and their chief delivers a short speech in tribute to the deceased person focusing on his contributions in life and consoling the bereaved relatives that death is inevitable. During the last stage of religious chanting and service, the casket is wrapped in white clothing and a ritual of passing on blessings and positive energies to the deceased’s soul, known as ‘Pansakula’ is done.
Prior to the cremation, one of the family members or the nearest kin has to say something about the deceased. After the cremation, a light feast is arranged for the people gathered at the funeral.
Some alterations in the specific rituals may be found in different cultures, but these are the important rituals followed during a Buddhist funeral in many countries like Tibet, Thailand, and China by the followers of the religion.
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