Buddhist mourning periods last up to 100 days, with services traditionally held on the third, seventh, 49th, and 100th day. Cremation is traditional in Buddhism, but only after seven days have passed. Mourners wear white, and the service and casket are typically very simple and not showy.
It is assumed that death occurs after the last breath has been taken. However, in some forms of Tibetan Buddhism after the last breath is taken the individual is in an intermediate state between their previous life and their new life. This state, known as the bardo can last up to 49 days.
Buddhists and cremation
Due to their belief in reincarnation, cremation is seen as the preferred choice when a loved one dies. The physical body holds little significance to the Buddhist faith, it is merely a vessel for holding the soul. Buddhists also believe in organ donation as it is seen as a good deed.
Mourning Period
This is because Buddhist traditions state that the deceased is reborn 49 days after their passing. Finally, on the 100th day, the family will organize a get-together to celebrate that the deceased's soul has now been reincarnated.
Rebirth within 49 days
In many Buddhist traditions, 49 days is the total mourning period, with prayers conducted every 7 days, across 7 weeks. These Buddhists believe that rebirth takes place within 49 days after death. So these prayers are conducted to facilitate this journey of the deceased into the afterlife.
Black putrefaction (10-20 days after death) – exposed skin turns black, bloating collapses and fluids are released from the body. Butyric fermentation (20-50 days after death) – the remaining flesh is removed, butyric acid is formed "fermenting" the remains and the body begins to mold if in contact with the ground.
The first, called “shiva,” meaning “seven,” takes place over the seven days immediately following the funeral. During shiva, the family gathers every day in a family home to mourn and pray. For seven days, family members do not go to work or participate in the routine of their normal lives.
These eight states - earth into water, water into fire, fire into air, air into consciousness, consciousness into luminance, luminance into radiance, radiance into imminence, imminence into transparency and then reversed -- transparency to imminence, imminence to radiance, radiance to luminance, luminance to ...
Trimming hair and nails
Generally, this emanates from the belief that nails and hair were given to the children by the deceased as a parent and as such they shouldn't be trimmed during the mourning period and after the burial. At least you should wait for 49 days.
The family of the person who has passed away wears white, which symbolizes grieving in Buddhism. Other funeral guests may wear black or any other muted color.
Buddhists recognize that grief is as universal and inevitable as death itself, and that surviving friends and relatives must learn to carry on without their loved one. You may be eligible for free bereavement support.
Buddhists don't reject grief as “bad” or “wrong.” You're not a “bad Buddhist” if you grieve when someone dies. Buddhism simply holds that the experience of grief can be one of spiritual awakening if you grieve with intention and knowledge. » MORE: Honor your loved one.
Appropriate food items and gift baskets include baked goods and desserts, fruit, dried fruit, & nuts, and assorted chocolates. A gift basket is generally delivered or shipped to the home of the mourning family. When a family is mourning a loss, it is common to provide support and comforting items.
The observation of the 40th day after death occurs in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The ritual represents spiritual intercession on the part of the dead, who are believed to collectively await the Day of Judgment.
On the 13th day of mourning, it's common for the grieving family to hold a ceremony ('preta-karma') where they perform rituals to help release the soul of the deceased for reincarnation. Additionally, on the first anniversary of the death, the family host a memorial event that honours the life of their loved one.
According to Hindu beliefs, family members of the deceased are polluted by the process of the death – until the soul completes its journey and they are purified by rituals. A mourning period of 12 days is undertaken, with the family isolating themselves from social engagements.
Avoid attending auspicious events like weddings, baby showers for the first 100 days after death. If possible, avoid going on holidays as well. As this period is termed the "mourning period", the filial thing to do would be to stay home to mourn.
If you have an adult with you at the funeral home, it is ok to touch a dead body, and you will not get in trouble. You are naturally curious, and sometimes when you see and touch a dead body it helps you answer your questions. Remember to be gentle and have an adult help you.
Some cultures believe that you should ritually cleanse yourself after services for the dead, but that is religious/cultural, rather than biological. You should not get anything on you at a funeral that would require bathing right away.
According to Buddhist texts, death is the separation of body (physical form) and “mind” formless, clear, luminous and knowing. (Only the most subtle level of mind transmigrates.) After the consciousness leaves, the body will soon begin to smell from the decomposing process and all that is left is a corpse.
Buddha's life and Buddhist History:
During his late twenties, Siddhartha is said to have encountered "four signs" which altered his life forever. These signs were: an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a monk or a yogin (i.e. yoga or yogin refer to a man who pursues and/or teaches various religious practices).
Rigor mortis appears approximately 2 hours after death in the muscles of the face, progresses to the limbs over the next few hours, completing between 6 to 8 hours after death. [10] Rigor mortis then stays for another 12 hours (till 24 hours after death) and then disappears.
Muscle cells live on for several hours. Bone and skin cells can stay alive for several days. It takes around 12 hours for a human body to be cool to the touch and 24 hours to cool to the core. Rigor mortis commences after three hours and lasts until 36 hours after death.
We enter heaven immediately upon our death, or our souls sleep until the second coming of Christ and the accompanying resurrection. Most have chosen to believe what the Bible appears to overwhelmingly propose: our souls (spirits) penetrate heaven immediately after we take our final breath.