A Buddhist funeral consists of extensive last rites performed according to sacrosanct rituals and traditions. The funeral ceremony, according to Buddhism, signifies the liberation of the deceased person's soul, which was trapped in the mundane world of existence, and its quest for a new life after death.
The Buddhist funeral services which conclude with cremation in most cases, are done by monks with the help of the bereaved family. After a person has died, the monks chant from the religious scriptures which are believed to liberate the soul's positive energies. While the chanting is on, the deceased is prepared for the funeral and for friends and relatives to pay last respects, so that there is no decay even if the cremation is delayed. Once the body is bathed, it is put along with candles, bouquets and incense in a coffin along with a photograph of the dead person.
If the funeral is deferred by a few days for distant relatives to get a last look, the monks go to the dead person's house everyday and chant verses from the Abhidharma, an important Buddhist holy scripture.
The monks complete the last rites on the funeral day and the head priest delivers a speech recounting the good deeds and actions carried out by the deceased and consoling the grieving family members and friends. The Pansakula, an important ritual that is believed to pass on blessings and good energies to the soul of the departed is carried out during the last stage of chanting while a white cloth is being wrapped around the coffin.
Just before the cremation, a close family member is asked to say a few words about the deceased person. A special meal for all the attendees is arranged after the Buddhist funeral ceremony and the cremation is carried out.
A great number of people in China, Tibet, Thailand and a few other Asian countries with a large Buddhist population follow the Buddhist funeral system with some variations according to the local customs.
The Buddhist funeral services which conclude with cremation in most cases, are done by monks with the help of the bereaved family. After a person has died, the monks chant from the religious scriptures which are believed to liberate the soul's positive energies. While the chanting is on, the deceased is prepared for the funeral and for friends and relatives to pay last respects, so that there is no decay even if the cremation is delayed. Once the body is bathed, it is put along with candles, bouquets and incense in a coffin along with a photograph of the dead person.
If the funeral is deferred by a few days for distant relatives to get a last look, the monks go to the dead person's house everyday and chant verses from the Abhidharma, an important Buddhist holy scripture.
The monks complete the last rites on the funeral day and the head priest delivers a speech recounting the good deeds and actions carried out by the deceased and consoling the grieving family members and friends. The Pansakula, an important ritual that is believed to pass on blessings and good energies to the soul of the departed is carried out during the last stage of chanting while a white cloth is being wrapped around the coffin.
Just before the cremation, a close family member is asked to say a few words about the deceased person. A special meal for all the attendees is arranged after the Buddhist funeral ceremony and the cremation is carried out.
A great number of people in China, Tibet, Thailand and a few other Asian countries with a large Buddhist population follow the Buddhist funeral system with some variations according to the local customs.
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