Hinduism
In Hinduism there are funeral speeches with prayers for the dead.
Many of these Funeral speeches are read out from the Mahabharata, usually in Sanskrit.
Family members will pray around the body as soon as possible after Death. People try to avoid touching the corpse as it is considered polluting.
Here is an example of a funeral speech that may be read out during a Hindu Funeral.
| “ | The wise have said that Atman is immortal:
And that the phenomenon of death is merely the separation of the astral body from the physical body. The five elements of which the body is composed return to their source. Our scriptures teach us that as pilgrims unite and separate at a public inn, so also fathers, mothers, sons, brothers, wives, relations unite and separate in this world. He who thus understands the nature of the body and all human relationships based upon it will derive strength to bear the loss of our dear ones. In Divine plan, one day each union must end with separation. |
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Many of these speeches are a collection of scriptural texts about Life and Death.
Read more about this topic: Prayer For The Dead