Death preparation

[Vinayaka]

The other day at temple I met a friend who had suffered a stroke about 40 days ago. He had fully recovered. on the way out another older devotee said, "Ganesha saved him."

I just find this odd. Ganesha or any God cannot save you. He might be able to extend your life, but he can't save you from dropping off this body, spending some time on another plane between births, and then finding a new physical body to continue your evolution.

Although I am not sure because I didn't stick around long enough to discuss it, it seemed like death denial to me, which I find unrealistic.

I've also read that in some Hindu countries, a large percentage of people don't write up wills. I'm wondering why. Maybe my Indian friends here can help out some. Aup??

Certainly we have a clear will written up. To me, it seems like a way to accrue negative karma by not having a clear will. The children should know what you want.

 

[Sb1995]

Indians usually write wills VERY late. Death isn't something we typically think about it as Indians LOL. and I believe Ganeshji can save you from death.

 

[Vinayaka]

Indians usually write wills VERY late. Death isn't something we typically think about it as Indians LOL. and I believe Ganeshji can save you from death.

Sorry, SB, he cannot save you from death of the physical body. He can, however, delay it.

Which 'you' are you referring to?

But yes, thanks for the information. I sort of figured that.

 

[Madhuri]

I personally don't believe that the gods or God would intervene in anyone's life to save us from something. It doesn't make sense to me. Even extending life. I think that prayer and meditation, spiritual practice can extend out lives but it's our own effort that does it. I don't think that a god would decide "you know, I think I'll change your karma and let you live a little longer. Why not. I like you".
I just don't believe it.

 

[ShivaFan]

Actually, I want to have my ashes thrown in Ganga (the Ganges) at Manikarnika Ghat, in Kashi, Varanasi India. So I have these instructions writen out in an official will along with source for funding to pay for airfare, hotel and such to those bringing my ashes. I have told all my relatives these instructions, if they don't follow none gets any of my stocks, assets or money, not one dime, it will all go to a temple and parts to rickshaw wallahs and their families including any gold teeth and rings.

Of course I would prefer to actually KNOW ahead of time that I am going to die soon, that way I would fly to Kashi and stay in a "death hotel" to die there, but often you just fall over dead without any "heads up".

So that is where the Devatas come in. They can tell me prior, or if I am falling dead, then delay the ding dong for enough time to get me to Kashi on the next flight. So that is where the "Ganesha saved me" part of it comes in.

If they get my ashes to Manikarnika, then the beneficiaries get their money and gold and stuff. But the rickshaw wallahs, I still want them to get my teeth and rings, prubably any random rickshaw wallah with a family. The temple gets a little but the bulk goes to family (sorry!).

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Aupmanyav]

Maybe my Indian friends here can help out some. Aup??

Oh, for the difficult questions, you turn to Aup.

Yes, they don't. And it is a cause of disagreement among children later. The will must be written, I think it saves money going in taxes to the government. And one cannot take even a single Rupee with him/her. We are (sort of) custodians of family money and other valuables, which we have to pass on to our children. I myself have to do it. Although my wife and I have discussed as to what is to be done. We have a joint account and none other, so the problem is less pronounced. If I (so-to-say) die earlier, she will do the distribution. My son gets two portions as he has two sons and my daughter gets one portion as she has one daughter. So, equal distribution among my grand-children. There is some money coming from my wife's side, which, in my view should also be distributed in the same way. She needs to portion what is left of our gold holdings between our daughter and daughter-in-law (most of it has already been given). I need to formalize it, one of these days I must snap out of my laziness. It will require contacting a lawyer. Death does not await completion of a person's work.

 

[Maya3]

I personally don't believe that the gods or God would intervene in anyone's life to save us from something. It doesn't make sense to me. Even extending life. I think that prayer and meditation, spiritual practice can extend out lives but it's our own effort that does it. I don't think that a god would decide "you know, I think I'll change your karma and let you live a little longer. Why not. I like you".
I just don't believe it.

I tend to agree with this...But I think that prayer can help to change things and prevent things, but it is because we affect ourselves with these prayers since we are part of God. So somehow there could be some kind of "saving" going on.

Maya

 

[Vinayaka]

Oh, for the difficult questions, you turn to Aup.

Yes, they don't. And it is a cause of disagreement among children later. The will must be written, I think it saves money going in taxes to the government. And one cannot take even a single Rupee with him/her. We are (sort of) custodians of family money and other valuables, which we have to pass on to our children. I myself have to do it. Although my wife and I have discussed as to what is to be done. We have a joint account and none other, so the problem is less pronounced. If I (so-to-say) die earlier, she will do the distribution. My son gets two portions as he has two sons and my daughter gets one portion as she has one daughter. So, equal distribution among my grand-children. There is some money coming from my wife's side, which, in my view should also be distributed in the same way. She needs to portion what is left of our gold holdings between our daughter and daughter-in-law (most of it has already been given). I need to formalize it, one of these days I must snap out of my laziness. It will require contacting a lawyer. Death does not await completion of a person's work.

Thank you. Over here you don't actually need a lawyer, but it's a good idea. There are forms you can use, or just use someone else's and copy that format. In some countries, (Malaysia is one, I believe, but could be wrong) if there is no will, the money and assets automatically go to the government. That's not the case here though.

So maybe I've inspired you ... it's really not that hard. We've had one for a long time now, and we felt it really important back when the kids were young as wills also declare guardianship of minors. Over there that's less of an issue as families tend to be tighter.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I don't really know if God intercedes on our behalf if we fervently pray. I try not to ask for too much in general, but one thing I do before I leave for temple or any other long trip is to pray, "If something should happen to me, please take care of the husband." I acknowledge that any accident could happen, but my first thoughts are to the closest ones left behind, so I try to intercede for them, if it makes a difference.

(I once told my husband who was starting a new project, "I'll send a prayer to Ganesh for you." He replied, "But I don't believe in Ganesh." I laughed at him and said, "He doesn't care.")

:camp:

 

[chinu]

Oh, for the difficult questions, you turn to Aup.

Yes, they don't. And it is a cause of disagreement among children later. The will must be written, I think it saves money going in taxes to the government. And one cannot take even a single Rupee with him/her. We are (sort of) custodians of family money and other valuables, which we have to pass on to our children. I myself have to do it. Although my wife and I have discussed as to what is to be done. We have a joint account and none other, so the problem is less pronounced. If I (so-to-say) die earlier, she will do the distribution. My son gets two portions as he has two sons and my daughter gets one portion as she has one daughter. So, equal distribution among my grand-children. There is some money coming from my wife's side, which, in my view should also be distributed in the same way. She needs to portion what is left of our gold holdings between our daughter and daughter-in-law (most of it has already been given). I need to formalize it, one of these days I must snap out of my laziness. It will require contacting a lawyer. Death does not await completion of a person's work.

Well, Is this post can be used as a will, later. ?

 

[Vinayaka]

Well, Is this post can be used as a will, later. ?

In Canada (here) it could be. He's declared his intention, and its in writing. There is a story (probably urban myth) where a farmer, stuck under a wheel of his tractor, and dieing, etched .. "All to wife." in the dirt, and it was accepted.

 

[chinu]

In Canada (here) it could be. He's declared his intention, and its in writing. There is a story (probably urban myth) where a farmer, stuck under a wheel of his tractor, and dieing, etched .. "All to wife." in the dirt, and it was accepted.

So, by this I request "Religious-forums" to crearte seperate section if anybody is interested in writing will.

 

[Jainarayan]

I tend to agree with this...But I think that prayer can help to change things and prevent things, but it is because we affect ourselves with these prayers since we are part of God. So somehow there could be some kind of "saving" going on.

Maya

For the most part I agree with Madhuri and you... I don't think God or the god(desses) intervene to forestall death. I believe that because we and all things are interconnected, our prayer energies, vibes or whatever we want to call them just might have some effect.

 

[Vinayaka]

For the most part I agree with Madhuri and you... I don't think God or the god(desses) intervene to forestall death. I believe that because we and all things are interconnected, our prayer energies, vibes or whatever we want to call them just might have some effect.

I agree too, but am a bit more 'agnostic' about it as we never really know what goes on behind His eyes. "He might. He might not." and in the grand scheme, it doesn't really matter.

 

[Jainarayan]

...and in the grand scheme, it doesn't really matter.

That too... we can't change it or know it for sure.

 

[Kalidas]

I agree with a lot of people here. I don't think the Gods directly intervene in a good many things. Honestly I believe most of what they do is to help us overcome what is happening, but not stop or make it from happening. Like how a parents might tell you what to do and not do, but allows you to figure it out on your own anyways. And when you DO decide not to listen and do something bad and get hurt, they are there to hug you they won't even say "I told you so" even though they could. Death is no different.

I may only be 24(25 in 2 months) but I kind of want to make a living will. Only because I DON'T want to be on machines (such a waste of money and I'M DEAD, don't waste resources on an empty body). I also don't want an extravagant expensive funeral. Not to offend anyone(not here to judge) but I feel costly fancy funerals a re a waste of money. Why do you need a red wood coffin lined with silk sheets? Your dead, I doubt you care that the sheets are comfy. No I want my ashes to be placed in one of the biological urns with a seed and to plant a tree (after any organs have been donated of course).

 

[Vinayaka]

Kalidas, the living will I have seems to parallel what your ideas are... simple cremation, no life support, cheap, no service, etc.

 

[Kalidas]

Kalidas, the living will I have seems top parallel what your ideas are... simple cremation, no life support, cheap, no service, etc.

Well if were in agreeance I must be doing something right lol.

Home | estudimoline is the Bio Urn I was tlaking about. I first heard about it and was like, I like this idea.

 

[Vinayaka]

Unless there is some legal reason for an urn, I won't be getting one. The children have instructions on where to deposit the ashes of this old bag of flesh. They can use a plastic bag or some ole tin can to take them there if it works.

 

[ShivaFan]

KD,

You should make a will (note a LIVING WILL for real however, one that will stand ground, needs a lawyer, the attorney here in my area who has an office in Lafayette charges $325 dollars an hour, so heads up it won't be cheap).

Back to my post on the will and where I talk about the Devatas intervening, I am serious - there is nothing wrong in my logic or getting Their help, all I am asking is to DELAY the ding dong to give me enough time to get to Kashi fast. Yes, I will die anyway (thus no saving me from that), but this delay is for a good reason.

There can be other reasons, too. For example, pretend you have some vital information that could save the life of 100 Hindus about to be murdered by religious fanatics. Many have already been "rounded up" by the "authorities" and put in concentration camps. There are riots in the street. But you have the passports that will get these 100 Hindus out of Deathastan to Canada. But as you are manuvering the streets of Deathastan with the passports, the Death Police here and there, you start to have a heart attack. You ask Ganapati, hold it, save me now, I got to get the passports through.

And He does!

OM Namah Sivaya