Some Fact about Hindu Funerals

As far as Hindu funerals are concerned, people having faith on this religion usually follow the norm of cremating the body. But it’s the versatility of this religion that you would find several variations in the process. For example – 

In case of some saint, sage, spiritual masters and distinguished religious personalities, the body is usually placed as a Samadhi. This is the name given to burial chamber that is mostly, a concrete structure, usually built at the place where he is buried. It could be anywhere like the place where he was born, or the place where he took his last breath. The body is placed in the sitting posture, depicting that the deceased is sitting and eternally remembering the God. This place later becomes a pilgrimage center or a place to worship and show respect to the spiritual master for his disciples and subjects.

Hardcore followers of this religion from sacred cities like Varanasi believe leaving the body floating in the sacred water of river Ganges.

• Because the process followed by Hindus is strictly based on their ancient scriptures, it is somewhat strict and rigid. The time and place of the last rites are very, very important and it is assumed that if cremation is done on the banks of a sacred river, or some place of pilgrimage importance, the soul gets immediate liberation. 

• Modern-day cremation grounds are usually located outside the city or a village around some water channel if it is there. In Sikh cremations and Hindu funerals, lots of superstitions are followed and one is that the dead body is an impure thing and therefore, unnecessary contact should be avoided.

• Another superstition is that a special class of people was responsible for maintenance and upkeep of these grounds. But nowadays, this has become a rare thing and local municipal authorities have taken this task of their maintenance.   

• The relatives of the deceased try to cremate the body on the same day as death, unless they await some far living, close relatives. 

• In terms of a death of some distinguished personality, they even delay the cremation to let people have the last glimpse of the person. 

• Once the time of cremation (muhurata) is given by the local priest, the entire preparations revolve around that time to make sure that there is no delay in the performance of this last rite.

• The body is dipped or bathed with the sacred water for the last time and wrapped in white cloth. If the deceased is a married woman, they wrap the body in red clothes and decorate it with ornaments and jewelry.

• It is then carried to the ground and this travelling is called "Shava Yatra" that is led by the eldest son of the deceased. There, it is laid on the pyre after a few formalities, the eldest son or husband sets it on fire. The priest continues to chant sacred mantras to signify that the entire process is carried out in a religious atmosphere.

            

Alba Jessica  is associated with Sahara Funerals, We are humbled that Sydney’s Indian community trusts us to arrange authentic Hindu and Sikh funeral services. We understand your loved one’s funeral service may be an unexpected expense. The services of company also include Sikh Cremations, Hindu Funerals Sydney and more