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Hindus generally observe many rites throughout their lives and their death rites are no exception. Most people will only ever arrange one or two funerals in their whole lifetime. So, when death occurs, majority of people are totally unaware of or even know what has to be done. This is why a funeral director with Hindu funeral rituals experience is so important
The last rites are extremely important to Hindus. Depending on the desires of the family, we are able to cater to traditional Hindu death rites or a more simplified version. Either way, it is important to have the funeral as soon as possible. The first and most important thing to do is to contact your family priest to know their availability. If you do not have a family priest, we are able to arrange one for you.
After the priest has been confirmed, mortuary preparation can be done. Mortuary preparation involves washing and dressing the body, ensuring that the eyes and mouth are closed, applying makeup when appropriate and requested, styling hair as required. Family members can participate in the washing and dressing process.
Hindus are usually cremated in traditional clothing — Dhotis and Anga-vastras for men and Saris for women (red for married women and young girls and white for widows.) However, if the family wishes for their loved one to wear something else, this is fine too. Once the body is washed and dressed, a garland of flowers can be placed around the neck and a tilak applied to the forehead.
It may be a consideration to bear in mind that there are certain times during the day which are suitable and unsuitable for cremations. Yama-ghanta is the most appropriate time for any activity related to funerals whereas Gulika must be avoided. These times are based upon the length of the day. If it is inconvenient to perform the cremation during Yama-ghanta then at least try to avoid Guli-kalam. There are also five days in the month during which cremations are not done — this is known as Panchaka. If it is necessary to perform the cremation on these days then special ceremonies will need to be done. This should be discussed with your appointed funeral priest.
The Day of the Funeral Service
Traditionally Hindu funerals are held at home however, this is not always possible. If the funeral is held at home, the funeral directors will bring the coffin home and set it down upon the floor with feet to the south and the coffin open. It is brought in head first and removed feet first. Please note: If the body is brought home, nothing whatsoever is to be served to the attendees. No tea, coffee, water, biscuits etc.
All the rituals can be done at home and then the coffin will be transported to the crematorium. At the crematorium a chapel is booked for a short ceremony of farewell in which some verses from the scriptures read and everyone files past and offers handfuls of flowers (shraddhanjali). Take into account the number of people attending when booking the chapel — as this could take a long time. Also appoint someone to gently keep the line of mourners moving.
If bringing the deceased home is not an option for whatever reason, the rites can be conducted at the chapel at the crematorium. Depending on the size of the congregation and the details of the rituals, a double time slots may be needed.
It is customary for the eldest son to perform the funeral rites for the father and the youngest for the mother. After the formal rites in the chapel, the chief mourner is accompanied by 4 to 6 relatives and the priest who witness the actual insertion of the coffin in the cremator. There are a number of small rituals done before insertion including the lighting of a fire on the coffin by the son or chief mourner. If you wish for this to be done, you’ll need to decide beforehand so that time can be booked with the crematorium.
After the funeral service, nothing is to be eaten or drunk until the cremation is over and the mourners have bathed. There are formal and rather elaborate mourning rituals and observations, but this should be discussed with your family priest and elders. The minimum period of mourning to be observed is three days but some communities extend the period up to forty days.
Collecting and Scattering Ashes
The person who lodges an application for a cremation, often a relative or the executor of the estate, should arrange to collect the ashes. Once the ashes are collected, it is important to disperse of them immediately, if possible. Your Funeral Director will request for urgent ash collection on religious grounds.
Once the ashes are collected, you should go with your family priest to disperse of the ashes. It is important to get permission to scatter ashes from the owners of private land or the Trustee of parks and reserves, or from local council for parks, beaches and playing fields as scattering of ashes may contravene the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in terms of air or water pollution. Councils and other Government Authorities may set a time and place when scattering of ashes can be undertaken and can impose other conditions.
In Sydney there is the Satyam Ghat allocated by Liverpool council for the disposal of ashes at the Georges river bank near Haigh Park, Bridges Road, Moorebank NSW 2170 http://satyamghatsydney.blogspot.com/
What to wear to a Hindu Funeral
The dress code for a Hindu funeral is to wear simple white clothing. White kurta and pyjama would be appropriate for men or simple white casual shirts or T-shirts and cotton slacks and simple white dresses or saris for females.
