Buddhist Funerals – Significance And Traditions

Buddhist funeral rituals and traditional ceremonies are filled with religious importance for Buddhists. The funeral ceremony, according to Buddhism, symbolizes the setting free of the deceased’s soul, which was trapped in the futility of existence, and its search for a new life thereafter.

In a typical Buddhist funeral, the deceased’s body is cremated and Buddhist monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the last rites. After a person has died, Buddhist monks chant from the holy scriptures which are believed to free the soul’s positive energies. While the chanting continues, the deceased is prepared 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. The body is bathed and put to rest in a coffin along with incense sticks, candles, flowers and a photo of the departed person.

The Abhidharma, a sacred Buddhist text is read everyday by visiting Buddhist monks during the funeral period even when the cremation is delayed to accommodate the visitors from distant places.

On funeral day, Buddhist monks perform the last rites and the head monk expresses his condolences to the family and speaks words of encouragement to them along with homage to the deceased person remembering his life. Other rituals like wrapping the casket with a white cloth during the religious invocation and Pansakula, a ritual of passing on virtues and blessings to the soul of the deceased are also performed.

Just before cremation, a family member or the nearest kin is asked to make a short speech about the deceased. The Buddhist funeral ceremonies conclude with a light feast for the visitors after the funeral.

Although some modifications in rituals can be seen, these are the broad ritualistic procedures carried out during funeral service by followers in countries like Tibet, Thailand and China, where a huge number of Buddhists live.

Find out more about the company that provides best Buddhist funeral and with professionalundertaker.