Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Wannabe Yogi: Funeral of a Swami? Normally, they are buried. For them there is a mock funeral at the time when they take sannyasa, dead for all practical considerations. Then they are given a new name, a new birth, with no relations with the old family, Muktananda or whatever. And pure, so that their burial does not pollute the earth.
Shvoham: Sort of saving them from the heart-rending scene. But among Punjabis, women go to the funeral ground, and there is much chest-beating (Syapa). Happens in Rajasthan villages also. The rich and powerful used to pay people to show sorrow (Rudali). Women wear dark shades (not white as elsewhere), deep brown/dark blue/black. And then there are many things to do in the house-hold. Of course, there are many relatives to do the jobs. The family does not do much. The relatives also are considered impure for varying periods of time, depending on the genealogical distance from the deceased.
FS: Yes. Ganges at Haridwar in my family, Garh Mukteshwar in my mothers family, etc. In Kashmir, sometimes at a glacial lake at the altitude of some 12,000 ft some distance away from Srinagar, Gangbal. We have fixed places for dispersal of ashes. For example, the ashes of my great-grandfather were also immersed in Haridwar and I would like my ashes too, to be taken there. Continuity.
Vinayaka: Not caskets, but a stretcher like thing. Younger relatives will touch the feet of the person. People all along the way to funeral ground will bow to the body. Even if a king's procession was passing, the cortege will have the first right of the road. Bow or sprinkle flowers and petals on the body.
BP789: Inside a house or a funeral room? No. Under the sky is the general rule, as also my choice. Under an open shed during rainy season. The idea is as close to open sky as possible. Electric crematoriums are not preferred. Water, yes, preferably river waters or holy ponds, like that at Kurukshetra.
Satyamevajayanti: Kapar Kriya (Kapal Kriya - breakign of the skull) to signify to the dead (really, the living, meaning don't get attached) that one whom perhaps you loved the best (normally the eldest son) is breaking your skull. In this journey, you are alone. God alone is your guide. Ashes and bones are generally collected on the fourth day unless it is a problem with days (not done on this day and done on that day of the week). The pyre needs time to cool down.The soul departs after 11, 12, 13 days when the ritual is finally over (depending upon the community).
Shvoham: Sort of saving them from the heart-rending scene. But among Punjabis, women go to the funeral ground, and there is much chest-beating (Syapa). Happens in Rajasthan villages also. The rich and powerful used to pay people to show sorrow (Rudali). Women wear dark shades (not white as elsewhere), deep brown/dark blue/black. And then there are many things to do in the house-hold. Of course, there are many relatives to do the jobs. The family does not do much. The relatives also are considered impure for varying periods of time, depending on the genealogical distance from the deceased.
FS: Yes. Ganges at Haridwar in my family, Garh Mukteshwar in my mothers family, etc. In Kashmir, sometimes at a glacial lake at the altitude of some 12,000 ft some distance away from Srinagar, Gangbal. We have fixed places for dispersal of ashes. For example, the ashes of my great-grandfather were also immersed in Haridwar and I would like my ashes too, to be taken there. Continuity.
Vinayaka: Not caskets, but a stretcher like thing. Younger relatives will touch the feet of the person. People all along the way to funeral ground will bow to the body. Even if a king's procession was passing, the cortege will have the first right of the road. Bow or sprinkle flowers and petals on the body.
BP789: Inside a house or a funeral room? No. Under the sky is the general rule, as also my choice. Under an open shed during rainy season. The idea is as close to open sky as possible. Electric crematoriums are not preferred. Water, yes, preferably river waters or holy ponds, like that at Kurukshetra.
Satyamevajayanti: Kapar Kriya (Kapal Kriya - breakign of the skull) to signify to the dead (really, the living, meaning don't get attached) that one whom perhaps you loved the best (normally the eldest son) is breaking your skull. In this journey, you are alone. God alone is your guide. Ashes and bones are generally collected on the fourth day unless it is a problem with days (not done on this day and done on that day of the week). The pyre needs time to cool down.The soul departs after 11, 12, 13 days when the ritual is finally over (depending upon the community).
Last edited:
