Death and Mourning Rituals

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Death and Mourning Cultures (Hindu vs Japanese)
1. Explore the death and mourning rituals of the Hindu culture.
Since there are many sects and groups, the customs of mourning and death rituals may vary
but it is a consensus amongst the Hindus that when the person dies, he will be reincarnated in
the future and the body must be cremated to free the soul as soon as possible. The cremation
mostly takes place within 24 hours so that the soul can move onto its next journey. The body
is washed with a combination of yoghurt, ghee, milk, or honey and is then wrapped in a white
sheet. The hands are positioned in a prayer like fashion and the toes are tied together. If a
woman whose husband is still alive dies, she is wrapped in a red cloth instead of a white
cloth. The casket is always left open, so that the relatives of the deceased can pay their
respects and hymns are sung around the flower laden body. An oil lamp is also lit and is
placed near the deceased person’s head.
The cremation is conducted by the male members of the family, led by the eldest son
and the priest. A last meal is given to the deceased and the body is then cremated on a funeral
pyre. The smoke released from the funeral pyre is the soul being released and integrated with
heaven (Ghosh, 2022). It is tradition to disperse the ashes of the deceased in the Ganges
River.
Mourning periods will last for 13 days after which a ceremony will be held to uplift
the people’s spirits. During this time of mourning close family cannot visit any sacred places
and stay at home praying for the soul to continue its journey forward and reincarnate.
2. Describe typical and/or distinctive features of death-related encounters in the Hindu
culture, and attitudes about death and mourning practices within this culture.
Typical death and mourning rituals in Hindu culture include the belief in a life after death,
although the unique concept is that of reincarnation. The idea that a person’s soul is recycled
and enters a new body is a distinctive feature of Hindu belief. Also, the concept of wearing
white to the funeral to signify purity is a unique concept in Hinduism. During cremation, a
Hindu priest might hit the head of the deceased person’s body to allow the spirit to leave as
soon as possible. This is not seen in cultures which use cremation upon the death of a person.
3. How are the death and mourning rituals of the Hindu culture different from the
Japanese culture death and mourning rituals?
Despite many similarities in Hindu and Japanese mourning and death rituals, there are many
differences as well. One such difference is that the Japanese people give monetary gifts
depending on the relation to the deceased, whereas this tradition is not in Hindu culture.
Whereas the Hindus deem it appropriate to wear white to signify their purity, the
Japanese funeral adornment must be black. The deceased should also be in a casket, whereas
there is no such thing in the Hindu culture.
The Japanese ritual after the cremation is done is different to the Hindu ritual. They
use chopsticks to put the bones of the deceased into a small pot (Wiren, 2012).
4. How does the business of dying impact on cultural attitudes and mourning practices
of your Hindu culture?
Hinduism is a religion which values and promotes humanity. Being truthful, moral, and
generous should be in every good human. Which is why when death occurs in a family,
distant relatives, friends, and neighbors all come to pay their respects to the deceased and
pray for the soul to complete its journey and be reincarnated. The ceremonies conducted after
the mourning period to uplift the relative’s spirits is also an example of Hinduism promoting
paying due respect to the deceased family. The mourning practices, mainly involving reciting
hymns and prayers at the house of the deceased are meant for the betterment of the soul.
Upon someone’s death Hinduism promotes a type of brotherhood and people come to the aid
of the family and provide any kind of support they can.
Works Cited
Ghosh, B. (2022). From ritual mourning to solitary greif: Reinterpretation of Hindu Death
Rituals in India. Journal of Death and Dying.
Wiren, A. (2012, December 25). Japanese Funerals: Sunset in the Rising Sun .

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Student’s Name

Death and Mourning Cultures (Hindu vs Japanese)

1. Explore the death and mourning rituals of the Hindu culture.

placed near the deceased person’s head.

Japanese culture death and mourning rituals?

there is no such thing in the Hindu culture.

of your Hindu culture?

of the family and provide any kind of support they can.

Rituals in India. Journal of Death and Dying.

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