Immediately
After Me
Arrangements for Hindu funeral in
the US are more complex for various reasons. Local funeral homes suggest
elaborate and highly expensive processes that are not part of the Hindu
tradition. Local Hindu temples and their priests do the processes according to
the Hindu traditions. But, there are many steps to the proper disposal of the
body – temples do not handle them. Families need such information and various
options available to families.
I wrote to a couple of local
temples asking them to do some information research and place some notes on
their websites. Here are main points from my note.
1. Recently, someone asked me for
information on what to do immediately after. I asked friends and searched the
website. I found a useful document at the link (HACSI) http://www.hacsiusa.org/useful-information/antyeshti/. While it has good information, there are still some gaps.
I think we need to develop a guide that lets people take action in a time of
grief and some confusion.
The problem is accentuated with
handlers who do not know the Hindu tradition. Hence, it will be nice if some
knowledgeable Hindu association prepares a document and also instructs local
Funeral Homes. Following their own processes and methods, Funeral homes would
suggest several traditional processes and arrangements common with other than
Hindu traditions. This will lead to unnecessary expenses running into several
thousand dollars, which could be a big burden for some families and an unnecessary
expense for some families.
2. As I searched for information,
I came to the following options:
a) Donating the body:
I found that next of kin can
donate the body and there are some limitations. The following link provides
information.
Contact: State Anatomy Board
Bressler Research Building, Room B-026 655
West Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1559
410-547-1222 Day or Night 1-800-879-2728 In State Toll Free
410-706-8107 Fax
b) Burial:
Most Funeral Homes do this
process.
It is important to develop
guidelines on when Hindus would opt for this process and what role, if any,
that Hindu priests would play.
c) Cremation:
It appears that Funeral Homes
would offer their facilities and Hindu priests would conduct the ceremony. More
details are needed as described later.
d) Transport to another country:
This may be needed in some special
cases.
3. I looked at the websites of a
few local Funeral Homes and only Chambers Funeral Home (http://www.chambersfuneralhomes.com/) mentioned “Pyre for Hindu Funeral.”
It will be helpful if the
following items are addressed:
a) Prepare a list of funeral homes
that know the Hindu processes.
b) Prepare a list of
services that the Funeral home should offer to Hindus.
c) Such a list may have
essential services and optional services with pre-negotiated prices. This is
best done by an Association.
4. The Hindu Ceremony:
The HACSI document provided a list
of temples and a list of priests with contact information.
However, in this case also, it
will be helpful if a list of minimal services and optional services and their
costs (priest charges and other expenses) are presented.
Some cases should also be
considered and guidance provided in terms of who (among the family members or
others) may perform the services.
a) When a son is not present.
b) When there is no son.
c) When a son is physically or
otherwise not able to perform services.
d) When a son has not had the
Upanayanam (Thread ceremony) or is no longer a Hindu.
e) It is possible that a family
may prefer to pay a person to perform the services. A list of persons (their
contact information) who may provide such services and the charges may be
helpful.
5. Preparing a Guidance Document:
I suggest that SSVT, or Hindu
Temples Association, or HACSI take lead and prepare such a document. I will try
to contact you to discuss how this task can be accomplished.
I appreciate if you respond to
this email note so that I can call and set up an appointment to discuss.
I am hoping to develop a
preliminary and simple set of instructions.
6. More References:
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