Hindu funeral rituals explained
In the first part of a series on funeral rituals, Lokesh Maharajh of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha provides insight into Hindi ceremonies.
THE RITUALS and last rites performed during a Hindi funeral and their significance:
SHAVING OF THE HEAD
Ritual: The member of the family, who undertakes to perform the last rites, should have his head shaved.
After taking a bath, he should dress in a white dhoti and kurta or white pants and shirt.
Other close relatives of the deceased must shave their heads on the 10th day. The head of the male corpse should be shaved and the corpse must be bathed.
Meaning: Hair is an adornment. It is a sign of vanity. The person performing the last rites needs to create a mood of respect and devotion to carry out the death-related rituals.
The removal of the hair represents a real sacrifice of beauty and shows grief for the deceased.
DRESSING IN WHITE
Ritual: If the deceased is male or a widow, the corpse must be dressed in new white clothing. If the deceased is a woman, whose husband is alive, the corpse must be dressed in new colour clothing.
Meaning: Colour plays an important part in Hinduism. The different colours depict different moods. White is a sign of purity and denotes that one is in a period of grief and has sacrificed beauty to carry the deathrelated rituals with devotion.
CORPSE
Ritual: After the corpse has been bathed, it should be smeared with ghee, thil and perfume or chundan. A flower garland must be placed around the neck.
Meaning: Ghee, thil, perfume and sandalwood paste are auspicious ingredients used to adorn the deceased. Ghee is made from cow’s milk and is considered sacred. It is an essential part of a yajna (havan) and is used through the medium of Agni (the God of Fire). Thil (sesame seed) is considered part of Lord Vishnu’s body and is said to drive away evil spirits and demons.
The ingredients are mixed and rubbed on the body. This is done as a mark of respect for the deceased.
JANAW
Ritual: If the deceased had been adorned with the janaw (holy string), it should then be put over the left shoulder and hanging under the right arm.
Meaning: The janaw reminds the wearer of the sacred duty to concentrate on God with devotion. It is regarded as a cloak of protection against the attack of external worldly, physical and mental dirt.
TULSI LEAF AND GOLD
Ritual: A tulsi leaf and a piece of gold is placed in the mouth of the deceased and kusa (special green grass) under the body.
Meaning: Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism. It is regarded as a manifestation of the goddess Tulsi. Goddess Tulsi is a great worshipper of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu scriptures, a person cremated with Tulsi (Tulsi twigs) is assisted along in the journey to liberation. Gold is believed to destroy harmful germs in the body and among all metals, gold is considered to be the purest.
PLACEMENT OF THE COFFIN
Ritual: The coffin must be placed with the head in the north and the feet in the south.
Meaning: The south direction is ruled by Lord Yama (the God of Death). According to the Hindu website Janajagruti Samiti: “The putrefying waves emitting from the dead body are attracted more towards the southern direction. South is the direction of deity Yama. When the vital energy of a person is leaving the body, it is pulled towards the direction of Yama.
“Once the vital energy leaves the body, other putrefying gases are released from the body. The velocity of the emitted waves, as well as their natural attraction, is greater only in the south direction.
“To facilitate the emission of putrefying gases from the dead body, the feet of the deceased are placed in a way that they are towards the direction conducive for it. That is south.”
LAMP
Ritual: Place a lit diya (lamp) and a bucket of water, and light an agarbathi (incense) where the coffin is placed.
Meaning: A lamp is lit to create an atmosphere. It creates a certain kind of energy around it and in the environment. Lighting a lamp with sesame oil provides positivity. It is a source of light and of life.
The lit lamp also provides a positive comfort for the bereaved family members.
OFFERINGS
Ritual: The person performing the last rites must prepare six pindas – which are rice balls, the size of a golf ball – using rice, flour, thil, milk, honey, sugar and ghee. These will be offered on the day of the funeral.
Meaning: According to the scriptures, the person performing the last rites must offer one pinda as follows:
● If possible, at the place of death (called the shavanaamak pinda).
● At the entrance to the house (paanthanaamak pinda).
● Along the route to the cremation ground (bhoothanaamak pinda). Out of convenience, the first three are done at the place where the coffin is placed for viewing.
● At the funeral pyre, or cremation chamber (saadhakanaamak pinda).
● In the right hand of the deceased.
● In the coffin.
SONS
Ritual: Sons should carry the coffin on their shoulders immediately before entering the cremation hall.
Meaning: According to Hindu scriptures, one debt that every person owes is to his parents. As a sign of respect, and to pay one’s debt to a father, mother or relative, the sons carry the coffin on their shoulders.
FOOD
Ritual: Vegetarian food without oil and masala should be eaten for 10 days by members of the immediate family.
Meaning: The Bhagavad Gita says (Chapter 17, verse 10): “Food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.” Food is consumed, so that human beings may lead a long and healthy life. Food also serves the purpose of purifying the mind.
While mental purification is required at all times, it is especially essential when death rites and rituals are being performed.
Therefore, it is a requirement that for the almost two weeks of mourning, only vegetarian food must be eaten.
LAST RITES
Ritual: The person who performed the last rites should sleep on the floor and eat saltless food until the 10th day is completed.
Meaning: During the mourning period, a simple lifestyle is recommended, so the person performing the last rites is able to devote full attention with love and respect.
READING
Ritual: At the home of the bereaved, the scriptures must be read and discussed each evening from the day after the funeral to the ninth evening.
Meaning: Death is an occasion for the rest of the family and relatives to take stock of their lives.
An explanation of the scriptures is highly recommended as it serves as a guide to families, who need to know what ceremonies or rites have to be performed.
AFTER THE FUNERAL
Ritual: A diya filled with oil and thil must be lit in the home. This diya is lit upon returning home after the funeral and must remain lit continuously for 12 days when the 13-day ceremony has been completed.
Meaning: Again, a lamp is lit to create a certain kind of energy around it and in the environment it is a positive comfort for bereaved family members.