These ceremonies usually occur soon after death and involve cremating the person’s body.
In the Buddhist tradition, the purpose of a funeral is to pay respect to the deceased and help the deceased’s loved ones begin grieving and letting go. Funerals may include chanting, offering incense and other ritual objects, and sharing memories and stories about the deceased.
During a funeral, Buddhists may also recite traditional phrases and prayers, such as the Heart Sutra or the Mantra of Compassion, which is believed to help the deceased on their journey and to bring comfort to the living.
After the cremation ceremony, Buddhists may also hold a memorial service or another ritual to continue paying their respects and help the deceased’s loved ones continue grieving. These ceremonies may take place on the day of the cremation or at a later time.
