Hindu Funeral Rites

The committee of Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple, London, Kenton, Harrow, felt it necessary to compile a small booklet to guide families on this country’s laws and requirements to register death as well as the ceremonies and rituals that a Hindu family may deem necessary to carry out in order for the completion of the sixteenth and final sanskar.

It is not intended for the funeral rites explained in this booklet to be carried out methodically as each and every family is unique in the way that they interpret and adapt to circumstances within themselves. All that this booklet aims to do is ensure that loved ones are given a final farewell with love and dignity.

This booklet contains many of the final rites which are deemed customary to be performed at home as well as those to be completed at the crematorium. It should be stressed that it is not necessary for a Brahmin to be present at this final ceremony, as in the Hindu religion this ritual can be presided over by anyone with the help of this booklet.

The information necessary for this booklet was gathered from various scriptures of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. If this booklet contains any errors or omissions, they are sincerely regretted.

We offer gratitude to those devotees who have provided, funding information, guidance and suggestions, for the publication of this booklet.

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