Hindu end-of-life and funeral traditions reflect a deep spiritual focus on the soul’s journey after death, emphasizing purity, detachment, and honoring the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

• Cremation is the most common practice: Hindus typically cremate the body to release the soul from its earthly form and help it transition to the next stage in its journey, known as moksha (liberation) or reincarnation.
• The body is treated with great care and ritual: Before cremation, the body is bathed, dressed in simple clothes, and adorned with sacred items such as sandalwood, flowers, or tulsi leaves.
• The eldest son or a male relative usually leads rituals: This person lights the funeral pyre or presses the button in a crematorium, symbolizing the family’s spiritual responsibility.
• A Hindu funeral is typically solemn and spiritually focused: Services may include chanting of mantras, readings from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, and offerings of incense, rice, and ghee.
• Ceremonies may take place at home, in a temple, or at a cremation ground: Timing and format may vary based on regional traditions, family customs, or sect.
• Mourning continues after the cremation: Family members often observe a mourning period of 10 to 13 days, during which they perform daily rituals to support the soul’s journey and receive visitors.
• Ashes are typically immersed in sacred water: This often takes place at a river such as the Ganges or another body of water meaningful to the family’s heritage or beliefs.
• Hindu tradition views death as part of a larger cycle: Rather than an ending, it is seen as a transition. Rituals help guide the soul and offer comfort to the grieving.
• Shraddha ceremonies may be held annually or on significant days: These rituals honor the ancestor and keep their memory alive within the family and spiritual tradition.
• Customs vary widely by region and community: North and South Indian practices may differ, as do customs between sects. Families may blend traditional practices with modern needs while staying true to core beliefs.

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