Buddhist Funeral Customs
Funeral Customs
One of the main differences between Buddhist and non-Buddhist funeral customs is the way the body is prepared and the ceremony itself. During the service, a Buddhist will recite a mantra or chant, usually Medicine Buddha, which means “may the sick be free from all sicknesses.” Another example is the Chenrezig Mantra, which means “praise to the jewel on the lotus.” Both are chanted during the service. During the wake, family members and friends will put gauze or cotton on the deceased’s face or place flowers on it. After the funeral, the body will be cleaned and wrapped in a shroud. After the chanting, the family will lay the deceased’s body in a coffin.
A Buddhist funeral involves letting neighbors know that the deceased has passed away. The announcement is usually posted on the front door of the home. This helps other people know about the death. Some Buddhists prefer a funeral rite that is private, which is more common in modern cultures. The observance of funeral etiquette in a Buddhist ceremony is an important part of the service. After all, it is not uncommon for the dead to have a great influence on the lives of others.
While a Buddhist does not believe in the concept of death as the final phase of life, Buddhist Funeral are still a time for grieving. The wake itself is a simple affair, with the casket and clothes kept simple and clean. It is open to the public during the wake. The deceased’s ashes and bone fragments are placed on an altar. It is common for the family to burn incense sticks before the altar.
Buddhist Funeral Customs
Unlike Western funerals, Buddhists do not allow for organ donation or autopsies. They prefer to perform the autopsies three to four days after the death. However, some Buddhists may choose to burn their bodies on a funeral pyre. In both cases, Buddhists will perform the rites on the day of the service, although they do not have a specific timeframe for this.
Depending on the ethnic or cultural background of the deceased, Buddhist funeral customs may vary from the norm. Some Buddhists will follow the traditional practices while others will vary. They will generally wear simple clothing and may wear colors that are different from their own. While it is not necessary to wear a special garment, it is customary to keep the deceased’s body covered while he or she is alive. The funeral is considered sacred and will have a meaning in Buddhism, which is why most people choose cremation.
In Buddhist funerals, the body is typically dressed in a simple casket to avoid the possibility of infection. The casket will be covered with a white cloth. Guests will wear black clothing to the funeral. Afterwards, the Buddhist funeral is typically followed with a viewing. The family may invite monks or a priest to lead the service. The body is also cremated. Traditionally, the body is buried in a tomb.