2.2.20
Hindu Funerals
Hindu Funerals
Hindu Funerals


The meaning of death
The meaning of death
- Hindus believe that death is not the end, but part of the samsara (cycle of life, death, and rebirth).
- The Atman (soul) leaves the body at death and begins its journey toward rebirth or liberation.
- Death is a natural and spiritual event, not something to fear.
- The goal for every soul is to reach moksha (freedom from the cycle of rebirth) and become one with Brahman.
- Funerals help the family honour the person’s life and pray for their peaceful journey onward.


Funerals
Funerals
- Most Hindus are cremated, as fire is pure and helps release the soul from the body.
- The body is washed, dressed in clean clothes, and placed with flowers.
- Family members may place sacred ash, rice, or sandalwood on the body as blessings.
- A Hindu priest (pandit) leads prayers and mantras to help guide the soul.
- A close relative often lights the funeral pyre or the cremation fire.


Prayers
Prayers
- During and after the cremation, families pray for the Atman to find peace and reach moksha.
- These prayers help the soul move through its spiritual journey in a safe way.
- Offerings of food and water honour the ancestors.
- Showing love and respect for ancestors brings blessings and harmony.


Ancestors
Ancestors
- Hindus hold memorial services each year to remember loved ones who have passed away.
- These acts of remembrance keep family bonds strong across generations.
- Rituals show gratitude for the past and faith in the cycle of life. Families may pray in the sacred temples of the Ganges River.
- Remembering the dead is a reminder of the eternal nature of the soul and the importance of living a good life.
1Year 7
1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith
1.1.1Genesis
1.1.2Noah & the Flood
1.1.3The Importance of Noah
1.1.4Abraham
1.1.5The Covenant
1.1.6Abraham's Sacrifice
1.1.7Ibrahim's Sacrifice
1.1.8Ibrahim & Hajar
1.1.9Ibrahim & the Ka'aba
1.1.10Isaac & Jacob
1.1.11Moses & the Exodus
1.1.12The Tabernacle
1.1.13Leviticus & Sacrifice
1.1.14Teachings in Leviticus
1.1.15Jesus' Teachings
1.1.16Jesus the Rebel
1.1.17Jesus' Death & Resurrection
1.1.18The Meaning of Jesus' Sacrifice
1.1.19The Relationship Between Judaism & Christianity
1.1.20The Ka'aba
1.1.21The Prophet Muhammad
1.2Judaism
1.2.1The Nature of God
1.2.2Creation
1.2.3What Do Jews Believe?
1.2.4Moses
1.2.5Abraham & Moses
1.2.6Tenakh & Talmud
1.2.7Rabbis & Rabbinic Literature
1.2.8The Jewish Scriptures - The Written Law
1.2.9The Jewish Scriptures - The Oral Law
1.2.10The Tradition of Discussion & Debate
1.2.11Orthodox Judaism
1.2.12Reform Judaism
1.2.13The Daily Practices of Orthodox & Reform Jews
1.2.14Morality & Living a Good Life
1.2.15Ethical Duties of Jews
1.2.16Prayer & Acts of Worship
1.2.17Written & Oral Jewish Law
1.2.18Afterlife
1.2.19The First Temple
1.2.20The Tabernacle's Journey & End
1.2.21Orthodox & Reform Synagogues
1.2.22The Daily Service
1.2.23What is Shabbat?
1.2.24Traditional Rituals for Shabbat
1.2.25What is Pesach?
1.2.26What is Yom Kippur?
1.2.27How Have Jews Been Persecuted?
1.2.28The Persecution of the Jews Throughout History
1.2.29The Black Death
1.2.30Antisemitism in Nazi Germany
1.2.31Antisemitism in Nazi Germany 2
1.2.32The Holocaust
1.2.33Genocide
1.2.34How the Holocaust has Impacted the Jewish Identity
1.2.35Holocaust Memorial
1.2.36Global Diversity of Jews
1.2.37Jewish Practices
1.2.38Jewish Celebrations & Rituals
1.3Christianity
1.3.1The Nature of God
1.3.2Creation
1.3.3Roots in Judaism
1.3.4Early Spread of the Faith
1.3.5Roman Persecution
1.3.6Morality & Living a Good Life
1.3.7Afterlife
1.3.8Prayer and Acts of Worship
1.3.9Kinds of Prayer
1.3.10The Nativity
1.3.11Christian Beliefs about the Baby Jesus
1.3.12Jesus' Ministry
1.3.13The Sermon on the Mount
1.3.14The Crucifixion
1.3.15The Last Supper
1.3.16The Resurrection
1.3.17Christian Beliefs about the Resurrection
1.3.18The Council of Nicaea
1.3.19The Nicene Creed
1.3.20Saint Augustine
1.3.21Development of the Christian Church
1.3.22Written Authority - The Bible
1.3.23Interpretation of the Bible
1.3.24Celebrations
1.3.25Pilgrimage
1.3.26Evangelism
1.3.27Protestantism
1.3.28The Reformation
1.3.29Christianity Today
1.3.30Faith Across the World
1.3.31Evangelical Churches
1.3.32The Future of Christianity
2Year 8
2.1Islam
2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)
2.2.1The Origins of Hindu Dharma
2.2.2The Vedic Traditions
2.2.3The Term 'Hinduism'
2.2.4Revelation & Tradition
2.2.5The Vedas
2.2.6The Bhagavad Gita
2.2.7Brahman
2.2.8Atman
2.2.9Understanding the Self
2.2.10Hindu Deities
2.2.11The Nature of the Trimurti
2.2.12Cyclical Nature
2.2.13Karma
2.2.14Santana Dharma & Varnashrama Dharma
2.2.15Varna & Castes
2.2.16Ahimsa
2.2.17Mandir & Puja
2.2.18Ramayana & Diwali
2.2.19Namakarana & Birth Rituals
2.2.20Hindu Funerals
2.2.21Hindu Communities Across the World
2.2.22Yoga
2.2.23Alexander the Great & The Mauryan Empire
2.2.24British Colonialism & Gandhi
2.3Buddhism
2.3.1Roots in Hindu Dharma
2.3.2Siddhartha Gautama
2.3.3Siddhartha's Four Sights
2.3.4Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way
2.3.5Buddha's Authority & Personal Experience
2.3.6Core Belief
2.3.7The Three Marks of Existence
2.3.8Cyclical Time
2.3.9The Four Noble Truths - Dukkha and Samudaya
2.3.10The Four Noble Truths - Nirhoda and Magga
2.3.11The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
2.3.12Karma, Samsara & Nirvana
2.3.13The Three Jewels
2.3.14The Five Precepts
2.3.15Meditation
2.3.16Theravada & Mahayana Buddhisms
2.3.17Puja
2.3.18Buddhism in the UK and Across the World
2.4Sikhi
2.5Atheism
2.5.1Where Did Atheism Come From?
2.5.2The Impact of Scientific Developments
2.5.3Plato's Cave
2.5.4Challenging the Bible
2.5.5The Enlightenment
2.5.6Evolution
2.5.7Evolution & Religion
2.5.8Morality & God
2.5.9Morality Without God
2.5.10Frederick Nietzsche - How to Live Without Religion
2.5.11Militant Atheism
2.5.12Humanism
2.5.13The Future of Atheism
2.6Philosophy of Religion
2.6.1Who is God?
2.6.2Theists, Atheists & Agnostics
2.6.3Faith & Empiricism
2.6.4The Design Argument
2.6.5Is The Design Argument Convincing?
2.6.6The Cosmological Argument
2.6.7Criticisms of The Cosmological Argument
2.6.8The Problem of Evil
2.6.9Free Will Theodicy
2.6.10Soul-Making Theodicy
2.6.11Religious Experience
2.6.12Types of Religious Experience
2.6.13Criticisms of Religious Experience
3Year 9
3.1Life & Death
3.1.1What is the Right Thing To Do?
3.1.2Thomas Aquinas - Natural Law
3.1.3Building a Moral Code
3.1.4Criticisms of Natural Law
3.1.5Joseph Fletcher - Situation Ethics
3.1.6Understanding Situation Ethics
3.1.7Criticisms of Situation Ethics
3.1.8Sanctity of Life
3.1.9Quality of Life
3.1.10Abortion
3.1.11Moral Questions About Abortion
3.1.12Euthanasia
3.1.13Moral Questions About Euthanasia
3.1.14Capital Punishment
3.1.15Arguments Against Captial Punishment
3.1.16Animal Rights
3.1.17Alternative Views on Animal Rights
3.2Extremism
3.2.1What Does Extremism Mean?
3.2.2Extremism Explained
3.2.3Why do People Become Extremists?
3.2.4Why do People Become Extremists? 2
3.2.5What are Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.6Why do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.7What is Anti-Semitism?
3.2.8Anti-Semitic Stereotyping
3.2.9The Holocaust
3.2.10After the Holocaust
3.2.11Religious Fundamentalism
3.2.12The Problem of Fundamentalism
3.2.13Nationalism
3.2.14Nationalism & Extremism
3.2.15What is a Terrorist?
3.2.16Political & Religious Terrorism
3.2.17Free Speech & Hate Speech
3.2.18Hate Speech
3.2.19How do we Fight Extremism?
3.2.20How do we Fight Extremism? 2
3.3Equality
3.3.1Introduction to Equality
3.3.2Is the UK an Equal Society?
3.3.3Religion & Equality
3.3.4Interpreting the Scripture
3.3.5Racism & Scripture
3.3.6Scripture Against Racism
3.3.7The Fight for Racial Equality
3.3.8Gender Equality & Scripture
3.3.9Gender Equality; Women in Worship
3.3.10LGBTQ+ Matters
3.3.11The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality
3.3.12Disability Matters
3.3.13The Fight for Disability Equality
4Additional Concepts
4.1Non-Religious People in the UK
4.2Believing in God Oustide of Religion
Jump to other topics
1Year 7
1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith
1.1.1Genesis
1.1.2Noah & the Flood
1.1.3The Importance of Noah
1.1.4Abraham
1.1.5The Covenant
1.1.6Abraham's Sacrifice
1.1.7Ibrahim's Sacrifice
1.1.8Ibrahim & Hajar
1.1.9Ibrahim & the Ka'aba
1.1.10Isaac & Jacob
1.1.11Moses & the Exodus
1.1.12The Tabernacle
1.1.13Leviticus & Sacrifice
1.1.14Teachings in Leviticus
1.1.15Jesus' Teachings
1.1.16Jesus the Rebel
1.1.17Jesus' Death & Resurrection
1.1.18The Meaning of Jesus' Sacrifice
1.1.19The Relationship Between Judaism & Christianity
1.1.20The Ka'aba
1.1.21The Prophet Muhammad
1.2Judaism
1.2.1The Nature of God
1.2.2Creation
1.2.3What Do Jews Believe?
1.2.4Moses
1.2.5Abraham & Moses
1.2.6Tenakh & Talmud
1.2.7Rabbis & Rabbinic Literature
1.2.8The Jewish Scriptures - The Written Law
1.2.9The Jewish Scriptures - The Oral Law
1.2.10The Tradition of Discussion & Debate
1.2.11Orthodox Judaism
1.2.12Reform Judaism
1.2.13The Daily Practices of Orthodox & Reform Jews
1.2.14Morality & Living a Good Life
1.2.15Ethical Duties of Jews
1.2.16Prayer & Acts of Worship
1.2.17Written & Oral Jewish Law
1.2.18Afterlife
1.2.19The First Temple
1.2.20The Tabernacle's Journey & End
1.2.21Orthodox & Reform Synagogues
1.2.22The Daily Service
1.2.23What is Shabbat?
1.2.24Traditional Rituals for Shabbat
1.2.25What is Pesach?
1.2.26What is Yom Kippur?
1.2.27How Have Jews Been Persecuted?
1.2.28The Persecution of the Jews Throughout History
1.2.29The Black Death
1.2.30Antisemitism in Nazi Germany
1.2.31Antisemitism in Nazi Germany 2
1.2.32The Holocaust
1.2.33Genocide
1.2.34How the Holocaust has Impacted the Jewish Identity
1.2.35Holocaust Memorial
1.2.36Global Diversity of Jews
1.2.37Jewish Practices
1.2.38Jewish Celebrations & Rituals
1.3Christianity
1.3.1The Nature of God
1.3.2Creation
1.3.3Roots in Judaism
1.3.4Early Spread of the Faith
1.3.5Roman Persecution
1.3.6Morality & Living a Good Life
1.3.7Afterlife
1.3.8Prayer and Acts of Worship
1.3.9Kinds of Prayer
1.3.10The Nativity
1.3.11Christian Beliefs about the Baby Jesus
1.3.12Jesus' Ministry
1.3.13The Sermon on the Mount
1.3.14The Crucifixion
1.3.15The Last Supper
1.3.16The Resurrection
1.3.17Christian Beliefs about the Resurrection
1.3.18The Council of Nicaea
1.3.19The Nicene Creed
1.3.20Saint Augustine
1.3.21Development of the Christian Church
1.3.22Written Authority - The Bible
1.3.23Interpretation of the Bible
1.3.24Celebrations
1.3.25Pilgrimage
1.3.26Evangelism
1.3.27Protestantism
1.3.28The Reformation
1.3.29Christianity Today
1.3.30Faith Across the World
1.3.31Evangelical Churches
1.3.32The Future of Christianity
2Year 8
2.1Islam
2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)
2.2.1The Origins of Hindu Dharma
2.2.2The Vedic Traditions
2.2.3The Term 'Hinduism'
2.2.4Revelation & Tradition
2.2.5The Vedas
2.2.6The Bhagavad Gita
2.2.7Brahman
2.2.8Atman
2.2.9Understanding the Self
2.2.10Hindu Deities
2.2.11The Nature of the Trimurti
2.2.12Cyclical Nature
2.2.13Karma
2.2.14Santana Dharma & Varnashrama Dharma
2.2.15Varna & Castes
2.2.16Ahimsa
2.2.17Mandir & Puja
2.2.18Ramayana & Diwali
2.2.19Namakarana & Birth Rituals
2.2.20Hindu Funerals
2.2.21Hindu Communities Across the World
2.2.22Yoga
2.2.23Alexander the Great & The Mauryan Empire
2.2.24British Colonialism & Gandhi
2.3Buddhism
2.3.1Roots in Hindu Dharma
2.3.2Siddhartha Gautama
2.3.3Siddhartha's Four Sights
2.3.4Asceticism, Enlightenment & The Middle Way
2.3.5Buddha's Authority & Personal Experience
2.3.6Core Belief
2.3.7The Three Marks of Existence
2.3.8Cyclical Time
2.3.9The Four Noble Truths - Dukkha and Samudaya
2.3.10The Four Noble Truths - Nirhoda and Magga
2.3.11The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
2.3.12Karma, Samsara & Nirvana
2.3.13The Three Jewels
2.3.14The Five Precepts
2.3.15Meditation
2.3.16Theravada & Mahayana Buddhisms
2.3.17Puja
2.3.18Buddhism in the UK and Across the World
2.4Sikhi
2.5Atheism
2.5.1Where Did Atheism Come From?
2.5.2The Impact of Scientific Developments
2.5.3Plato's Cave
2.5.4Challenging the Bible
2.5.5The Enlightenment
2.5.6Evolution
2.5.7Evolution & Religion
2.5.8Morality & God
2.5.9Morality Without God
2.5.10Frederick Nietzsche - How to Live Without Religion
2.5.11Militant Atheism
2.5.12Humanism
2.5.13The Future of Atheism
2.6Philosophy of Religion
2.6.1Who is God?
2.6.2Theists, Atheists & Agnostics
2.6.3Faith & Empiricism
2.6.4The Design Argument
2.6.5Is The Design Argument Convincing?
2.6.6The Cosmological Argument
2.6.7Criticisms of The Cosmological Argument
2.6.8The Problem of Evil
2.6.9Free Will Theodicy
2.6.10Soul-Making Theodicy
2.6.11Religious Experience
2.6.12Types of Religious Experience
2.6.13Criticisms of Religious Experience
3Year 9
3.1Life & Death
3.1.1What is the Right Thing To Do?
3.1.2Thomas Aquinas - Natural Law
3.1.3Building a Moral Code
3.1.4Criticisms of Natural Law
3.1.5Joseph Fletcher - Situation Ethics
3.1.6Understanding Situation Ethics
3.1.7Criticisms of Situation Ethics
3.1.8Sanctity of Life
3.1.9Quality of Life
3.1.10Abortion
3.1.11Moral Questions About Abortion
3.1.12Euthanasia
3.1.13Moral Questions About Euthanasia
3.1.14Capital Punishment
3.1.15Arguments Against Captial Punishment
3.1.16Animal Rights
3.1.17Alternative Views on Animal Rights
3.2Extremism
3.2.1What Does Extremism Mean?
3.2.2Extremism Explained
3.2.3Why do People Become Extremists?
3.2.4Why do People Become Extremists? 2
3.2.5What are Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.6Why do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
3.2.7What is Anti-Semitism?
3.2.8Anti-Semitic Stereotyping
3.2.9The Holocaust
3.2.10After the Holocaust
3.2.11Religious Fundamentalism
3.2.12The Problem of Fundamentalism
3.2.13Nationalism
3.2.14Nationalism & Extremism
3.2.15What is a Terrorist?
3.2.16Political & Religious Terrorism
3.2.17Free Speech & Hate Speech
3.2.18Hate Speech
3.2.19How do we Fight Extremism?
3.2.20How do we Fight Extremism? 2
3.3Equality
3.3.1Introduction to Equality
3.3.2Is the UK an Equal Society?
3.3.3Religion & Equality
3.3.4Interpreting the Scripture
3.3.5Racism & Scripture
3.3.6Scripture Against Racism
3.3.7The Fight for Racial Equality
3.3.8Gender Equality & Scripture
3.3.9Gender Equality; Women in Worship
3.3.10LGBTQ+ Matters
3.3.11The Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality
3.3.12Disability Matters
3.3.13The Fight for Disability Equality
4Additional Concepts
4.1Non-Religious People in the UK
4.2Believing in God Oustide of Religion
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