Every religion holds significance in the tradition of funerals. Buddhists define death as a transition portal to the next life. It is an important occurrence for both the dead and the remaining people. The core essence of Buddhist funeral ceremony is to assist the deceased to cross to the next life in peace and ease. They believe in the reincarnation of the soul into a new body. There are three main traditions in Buddhist doctrine regarding funeral;

Theravada tradition

In this tradition survivors and relatives of the deceased offer clothes to the monks. It is an omen of blessing for the soul’s journey. They perform many rituals to ensure blessings for the rebirth. The bodies are burned on the sacred pyre.

Mahayana tradition

This tradition of Buddhism believes there are 49 days of a soul’s journey after death. A journey between death and rebirth. There are many ceremonies held in this period which are called death rites. The body of the deceased is cremated on the pyre.

Tibetan Tradition

In this tradition, they recite the book of the dead to the dying or already passed away a person. They relate this state close to the dead. A normal person that has been deceased is given to the birds; they believe that it is a way of making the last contribution to life. Although the great masters are cremated in Tibetan Buddhism’s and their ashes are stored in a stupa or absurdist temple.

Conclusion

These ceremonies always involve chants, meditation, and blessing to encourage the disease soul journey towards a higher existence.