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In Buddhism, death occurs as a natural part of the cycle of life and is considered a significant religious event for both the deceased and their families. As such, Buddhist funerals are marked by particular funeral rites that are believed to provide the deceased's soul a meaningful send-off to their next life.
Since Buddhism has a lot of denominations, Buddhist funeral rites also vary in practice. Nonetheless, there are certain rituals and traditions that are commonly adopted across Buddhist funeral services.
To learn more about what happens at a Buddhist funeral, this article outlines a complete guide to the traditions and customs you can expect as well as the etiquette required when attending a Buddhist funeral service.
Buddhist Funeral Traditions and Rites
While there are no set procedures for conducting the service, a Buddhist funeral is commonly organized as a simple, solemn, and dignified ceremony that allows the friends and family members to honor and grieve the deceased.
Typically, there are two stages to the event:
The Visitation
Before the service, Buddhists hold a visitation period to give friends and relatives a chance to view the body and support the bereaved family. Usually, the event follows the following customs:
- Schedule and Location - The visitation is often held in a family home or funeral home and is usually done a night before the actual funeral.
- Preparation of the Body and Altar - The body is firstly bathed and dressed in simple clothing in observance of traditional Buddhist beliefs before being displayed in an open casket for viewing. In most cases, the funeral service provider also arranges an altar containing the photo of the deceased along with lit candles, incense, flowers, fruits, and a statue of Buddha to honor the person who has departed.
An altar arrangement done by Nirvana Casket for a Buddhist Funeral Package (Source: removed)
- Traditions Observed - The bereaved family members sit in front of the venue to greet the mourners who came. Traditionally, mourners pay their respects by bowing in front of the casket and offering condolences.
Depending on their preference, mourners may also stay and/or give monetary donations to the bereaved family.
The Funeral Service
After the visitation, the funeral will commence typically in the same funeral home, with a Buddhist monk or a group of monks leading the ceremony. According to Buddhist funeral traditions, the following rituals are commonly observed:
- Paying of Respect - Upon arriving, it is considered traditionally appropriate for mourners to bow to the casket silently to respect the deceased.
- Reading of Sermons - To begin the service, the Buddhist monks will read a sermon on the relevant teachings of Buddha and offer sutras or Buddhist funeral prayers as part of the service. In most cases, the monks will also lead a meditation to allow mourners to reflect on the deceased's life.
A Buddhist monk leading a sermon with family members of the deceased (Source: https://sample/)
- Chanting - Aside from the sermon and prayers, chanting is also a common ritual in Buddhist funeral services, led by either the monks or the bereaved family. Mourners are encouraged to join, but it is also acceptable to stay silent if you are not familiar with the chants.
- Offering Eulogies - While not as commonplace, family members may also offer eulogies during the funeral to honor their departed loved one's memory.
After the ceremony, mourners will then proceed with a funeral procession to either a burial site or crematorium, depending on whether the family opted for a burial or cremation service.
For burials, especially in Singapore, a hillside burial site is preferred. As per Buddhist tradition, the family turns away from the grave as the casket is lowered to the ground to pay their respects.
For cremations, families may opt to watch the cremation process, which is commonly done immediately after the funeral ceremony.
Buddhist Funeral Etiquette
Observing proper etiquette is crucial in a Buddhist funeral as it shows how the mourners respect not only the deceased but also the bereaved family's grieving process. While the family often communicates what is considered appropriate etiquette to their customs, it is best to be aware and follow the following traditions:
- Proper Attire - Family members typically wear white to symbolize their grieving. Visitors, on the other hand, are encouraged to wear black or any dark-colored clothing. However, red or any bright-colored clothing is considered not appropriate as it shows a display of wealth.
- Offerings - Mourners may sometimes give offerings such as fruits, flowers, candles, or monetary donations to the bereaved family. However, it is not mandatory and should be practiced only out of the goodness of the visitor's heart.
- Condolences - When offering condolences, it is best to acknowledge the Buddhist faith's unique view on death and rebirth. In addition to offering sympathies to the mourning family, talking about the person's good deeds and quoting relevant teachings of Buddha is also considered appropriate etiquette.
Concluding Thoughts
In summary, while the guide lists many customs to consider, the most important thing to remember when attending Buddhist funerals is to be respectful in observing the traditions and rituals practiced by the bereaved family to respect their mourning period.
We at Nirvana Casket understand the value of respecting each family's needs and preferences in honoring their departed loved ones. Our Buddhist Funeral Package includes extensive and flexible options for burial and cremation services that can provide bereaved families with a comfortable space to honor their loved ones without the stress of managing the ceremony.
If you wish to avail yourself of Comfort Casket's Buddhist Funeral Package, please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation.
