Tag Archives: Hinduism

Antim Sanskar: The Ancient Practice of Hindu Funeral Rites

Hindu funeral rites celebrate cultural heritage through preparing the body and spirit for the next life

Death, in many cultures, is the ultimate transition that life is leading up to. So it is no surprise that among the core series of sacraments, known as Sanskara, or rituals of perfection, the final rite comes in the funerary … Continue reading

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Shraddha: A Hindu Ceremony To Help Souls Enter The Next World After Death

Today we explore the ideology behind the Hindu Ceremony of Shraddha

For Hindus, Shraddha is a ceremony that must happen in order to ensure that the souls of their loved ones who have died will enter the next world safely and soundly. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word that means … Continue reading

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 “All Things Must Pass” by George Harrison

Music for funerals can be uplifting, as heard in this beautiful tune from the late Beatles guitarist

Letting go is one of the most difficult things in the world, but George Harrison might make it a little easier. His song, “All Things Must Pass,” off of his solo album of the same name is a subtle take … Continue reading

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Bali Fire Burials

Exploring the Balinese's liberation of the soul through fire and water

All around the world, people practice their own funerary customs and traditions. Some cultures practice air sacrifices, some practice cave burials – but people from Bali, Indonesia, combine religion and cremation in a ritual known as the fire burial. Through fire burial, … Continue reading

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Hinduism: How the World’s Oldest Religion Is Not, Strictly Speaking, a Religion

Hindu death rituals are carefully defined and lovingly observed

Every culture, and every person within that culture, has a different way of dealing with death. A different set of rules, beliefs, practices, personal and societal rituals, strategies for dealing with the inevitable trauma and equally inevitable aftermath. Hinduism, the … Continue reading

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The End-of-Life and Death in India

Cultural and Religious Traditions Across the Vast Country

India, home to over a billion people, is also home to a plethora of cultural and religious traditions. The birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, India also hosts a large number of followers of other major religions, including large … Continue reading

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