In a Buddhist funeral, the followers of the religion are particular about performing elaborate rites and ceremonies during the funeral service. The funeral ceremony, according to Buddhism, symbolizes the setting free of the deceased person's soul, which was trapped in the futility of existence, and its search for a new life after death.
In a typical Buddhist funeral, the deceased's body is cremated and monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the funeral rites. After a person has died, Buddhist monks chant from the holy scriptures which are expected to free the positive energies of the soul. While the chanting is on, the deceased is made ready for the funeral and for friends and relatives to bid a final adieu, so that there is no decomposition even if the final rites are delayed. After washing the body, it is put in a casket with candles, wreaths, fragrant incense sticks and a picture of the deceased.
The Abhidharma, a sacred Buddhist scripture is read everyday by visiting monks during the funeral days even when the cremation is deferred to wait for the visitors from far away places.
On the occasion of the funeral, monks perform the last rites and their chief gives a brief speech in honour of the dead person focusing on his achievements in life and comforting the bereaved family that death is destiny. The Pansakula, an important ritual which is expected to pass on blessings and good energies to the departed's soul is done during the final chanting while a white cloth is being wrapped around the casket.
Before the cremation takes place, a close member of the family is asked to say something about the deceased person. A special meal for all the visitors is arranged after the Buddhist funeral rituals and the cremation is done.
Some alterations in the specific rituals may be found in various cultures, but these are the key rituals followed during a Buddhist funeral in many countries like Tibet, Thailand, and China by the followers of the faith.
In a typical Buddhist funeral, the deceased's body is cremated and monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the funeral rites. After a person has died, Buddhist monks chant from the holy scriptures which are expected to free the positive energies of the soul. While the chanting is on, the deceased is made ready for the funeral and for friends and relatives to bid a final adieu, so that there is no decomposition even if the final rites are delayed. After washing the body, it is put in a casket with candles, wreaths, fragrant incense sticks and a picture of the deceased.
The Abhidharma, a sacred Buddhist scripture is read everyday by visiting monks during the funeral days even when the cremation is deferred to wait for the visitors from far away places.
On the occasion of the funeral, monks perform the last rites and their chief gives a brief speech in honour of the dead person focusing on his achievements in life and comforting the bereaved family that death is destiny. The Pansakula, an important ritual which is expected to pass on blessings and good energies to the departed's soul is done during the final chanting while a white cloth is being wrapped around the casket.
Before the cremation takes place, a close member of the family is asked to say something about the deceased person. A special meal for all the visitors is arranged after the Buddhist funeral rituals and the cremation is done.
Some alterations in the specific rituals may be found in various cultures, but these are the key rituals followed during a Buddhist funeral in many countries like Tibet, Thailand, and China by the followers of the faith.
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Death is a sensitive time. After all, funerals present the family with a need to transition into moving on with life. Get the best caskets for your loved one's burial. Check here for free reprint licence: Customs And Rituals Followed In A Buddhist Funeral.
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