Death Rituals

[Left Coast]

With Halloween and the Day of the Dead approaching, I thought this would be a timely topic.

What are your faith's rituals when someone dies? If you aren't part of an organized religion, perhaps you have rituals common in your culture or family. Share with us!

 

[Rival]

Okay so...

 

[LuisDantas]

Here in Brazil most people are buried, although cremation is an acceptable and well-known alternative.

 

[Vinayaka]

Hinduism, other than 99.9% being cremated, has great variance. In areas where law allows, the corpse is kept at home in a main room, and friends and neighbours come by to pay respects. In a couple of days the corpse is taken (carried) to an open air cremation ground, where the cremation happens. Customarily, the eldest son lights the funeral pyre.

 

[SalixIncendium]

What @Vinayaka said. ^^

For me personally, I told my daughter that while I prefer cremation, the choice of what to do with the remains is ultimately up to her, because death rituals, as I see them, are more for the living than they are for the dead.