frequently asked questions (faqs) about cremation · swami narayan mandir-vadtal dham group kamlesh...
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CremationDoes cremation contribute to atmospheric pollution?
The 1990 Environmental Protection Act placed certain responsibilities on crematoria to ensure that the process is carefully controlled to minimize the impact on the environment.
How can one be certain that all remains are kept separate, and receive the correct remains?
All responsible cremation providers have extensive operating policies and procedures in orderto provide the highest level of service and reduce the possibility of human error.
Is a casket required for a cremation to take place?
A casket is not required for a cremation to take place. The casket, when purchased, is generally cremated with the body. In most provinces rental caskets are available for visitation. These are sterilized and reused once the body (in a special liner) is removed for cremation.
Can a cremation be witnessed by the family?
Yes, in most situations, the cremation providers will permit family members to be in attendances when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. However there may be additional charges.
What options are available with the cremated remains?
There are countless options and laws do vary from province to province. Some options include remains being buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, placed in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered into the sea.
What usually happens after the cremation is finished?
All organic bone fragments and all non-consumed metal items are placed into a stainless steel cooling pan located in the back of the cremation chamber. All non-consumed items, such as metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridgework, are divided from the cremated remains.
Can more than one cremation be performed at once?
It is never done. Not only is it a practical impossibility, but illegal to do so. The majority of modern cremation chambers are not of adequate size to house more than one adult.
Are all cremated remains returned to the family?
With the exclusion of minuscule and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are returnedto the family.
How are ashes disposed of?
Through memorialisation we remember our loved ones and provide a place of pilgrimage that can be very important to a family later in life. It is a means by which generations are connected. What most people do with cremated remains is a matter of personal choice. Hindus usually place them in urns and put them in a river.
In this country scattering of cremated remains (ashes) is permitted on Crown land and Crown land covered by water (waterways). Crown land is land owned by the “Crown” i.e. Canada. However, the scattering should be done in a manner that does not harm the environment in anyway. Artificial flowers, jewellery, fresh food and fruit etc. must not be thrown in the water as they may wash back to the shore or pollute the environment. It is recommended that a handful of flowers and leaves only be scattered with the ashes.
Ashes can only be scattered on private land or a private waterway with the written consent of the property owner. Scatterings may only be done once on any one piece of property. If a landowner intends to allow repeated scatterings, the land must be established as a cemetery. New laws with regard to scattering and scattering gardens will be introduced in July, 2012.
To ensure you are not violating any laws, contact the Ministry of Consumer Services – Cemeteries Regulation Unit (scattering practices etc.) at 416-326-8393 before contemplating scattering ashes.
Is embalming necessary?
Embalming is not required in Ontario. However there are certain facts to be considered before making a decision on whether to embalm.
After death a human body deteriorates at a rate based on several factors. These factors include the cause of death, age of the deceased, and more. It can be a few hours to a few days.
Unlike Islam and some other religions, Hindus have a visitation with an open casket whenever possible. During “Anteem Vidhi” full body is exposed and family and friends offer flowers and pray to the departed soul. Hence, the need for embalming should be discussed with the funeral director. Only licensed funeral homes can provide embalming. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Hindus need the use of funeral homes more than other communities.
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“As souls we are reflections of God. When by meditation techniques we withdraw restless thoughts from the lake of the mind, we behold our soul, a perfect reflection of Spirit, and realize that the soul and God are One.” - Paramhansa Yogananda
Check list for Funeral arrangementsYou and your family must make certain decisions and gather various facts and documents when a death occurs. We realize this is a very complex time and want you to know that our volunteers are here to help. You may contact them directly.
They can guide your family in the selection process of:
Bhajan Groups • Catering Services
Crematorium / Funeral Homes • Family Counselling
Flower Shops • Grocery Stores
Lawyers • Photographer & Videographer
Pooja Samagri • Prayer Halls / Temples
Priests • Travel Agents
The following checklist will help you remember what information and items of the deceased will be needed when meeting with a funeral arranger and when completing the province’s vital statistical requirements. A doctor, coroner or medical examiner must certify the cause of death. The funeral home will assist you in obtaining the death certificate.
First Family Member Second Family Member
Full legal name
Home address
Date of birth
Place of birth
Gender (Male / Female)
Social Insurance number
Driver’s license no.
Other ID
Highest education
Occupation at the time of death
Father's name
Mother's maiden name
Place of Death (city/province)
Date & Time of Death
Phone / Fax number /Email address
Person’s Recent Photograph
Photo of your favourite Deity
GENERAL LISTING
ASTROLOGERS
Bipinbhai Vyas (see advertisement page #4)
416 493 2311 Cell: 647 400 4878
Purshottambhai Pandya (see advertisement page #30 )
[email protected] 905 534 2700 Cell: 416 844 5234
BHAJAN GROUPS
Alankar Music Group Ishverbhai Patel 416 953 5336 905 654 4482
Anantbhai Malavia 416 490 1170 Aum Music Group Sachin Joshi 647 206 3523
Bansri Group Swatiben Gandhi 905 846 5057 Cell: 416 839 0461
Bharatbhai Vyas 416 242 7921 Bipinbhai Shah 905 471 4750
Deviben & Vyomeshbhai Choksi 416 445 7802 Geet Sangeet Hemal & Monaben Soni
Jay Prakashbhai Soni 647 278 5330 905 709 2315
Goonjan Musical Group (see advertisement page #46 )
Kiritbhai Mistry 416 885 8401
Hindu Mandir Bhajan Group Raj Patel 416 357 4006 Jhalak-Jalaram Group Chandrahas Khatri 905 761 7734
Prafullaben Shah (for Jain Bhajans) Prafullaben Shah 416 439 3086 Purshottambhai Pandya Purshottambhai Pandya 905 534 2700
Rambhai Patel 416 747 9732 Samarpan Group Praful Pandya 416 283 5200 Toronto
905 915 5201 Brampton Sanatan Mandir Bhajan Group Gokulbhai Khatri
Amritbhai Gandhi 905 887 7777 905 887 9794
Swami Narayan Mandir-Vadtal Dham Group Kamlesh Patel Indrakant Patel
416-287-9514 416-219-0328
Swargunjan Music Academy Prameshbhai Nandi 905 497 3390 Cell: 647 309 3939
CATERERS
Binita Chaudhari (see advertisement page #44)
Binita Chaudhari 416 289 1651
Gujarati Foods (see advertisement page #22)
Jayshil Patel 905 457 8333
Sankalp – The Taste of India (see advertisement page #32)
Jigar Patel 905 459 4999
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
CANADIAN RED CROSS 1-800-418-1111
www.redcross.ca
CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY 416 488 5400 www.cancer.ca/toronto
HEART & STROKE FOUNDATION
1-888-473-4636 www.heartandstroke.on.ca
HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN
416 813 6166 www.sickkidsfoundation.com/home
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL
416 946 6560
www.pmhf.ca
SANATAN MANDIR CULTURAL CENTRE 905-887-7777 www.sanatanmandir.com
UNITED WAY TORONTO 416-777-2001
www.unitedwaytoronto.com
CREMATORIUMS / FUNERAL HOMES
Basic Funeral Homes (see advertisement back cover)
www.basicfunerals.ca
1.877 229 7077
Chapel Ridge Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
(see advertisement page #52/Inside back cover)
www.chapelridgefh.com 905 305 8508
Highland Funeral Homes (see advertisement page #1/Inside front cover)
www.highlandfuneralhome.ca
905 887 8600
Elgin Mills Cemetery and Visitation Centre (see advertisement page #12)
www.mountpleasantgroup.com 905-737-1720
The Simple Alternative
www.mountpleasantgroup.com 1-888-ARRANGE (1-888-277-2643)
Newediuk Funeral Home (see advertisement page #41)
www.newediukfuneralhome.com
416 745 7555
St. James Crematorium (see advertisement page #44)
www.stjamescathedral.on.ca 416 964 9194
St. John’s Dixie Cemetery & Crematorium
(see advertisement page #36)
www.stjohnsdixie.com
905 566 9403
St. John’s Norway Cemetery & Crematorium
(see advertisement page #40)
Email: [email protected] 416 691 2965
Ogden Funeral Homes (see advertisement page #16)
www.odgenfuneralhome.com 416 293 5211
Ward Funeral Homes (see advertisement page #32)
www.wardfuneralhomes.com
416 241 4618
“For certain is death for the born And certain is birth for the dead; Therefore over the inevitable , Thou should not grieve.” - Bhagavad Gita
FLOWER SHOPS
Aprile Florist (see advertisement page #19)
Rohit Shah 416 635 5759
Fashion Florist (see advertisement page #47)
Babu Markandu 416 754 8282
INSURANCE AGENTS
Aleks Life Insurance (see advertisement page #40)
Aleks Emmerson 416 760 3222
CIBC Wood Gundy (see advertisement page #46)
Tony Elefteriadis 905 762 2335
Edward Jones (see advertisement page #14)
Harvinder Anand 905 472 8300
P.K. SHAH (see advertisement page #10)
Pravin K. Shah 416 918 5054
Sun Life (see advertisement page #29)
Desh Chug 416 493 9560 ext 2600
LAWYERS
Shah Law Office (see advertisement page #11)
Keyur Mahesh Shah 416 366 7424
Raval Law Office (see advertisement page #44)
Bhupendra Raval 416 296 7200
PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER
E-motion Photography (see advertisement page #46)
Kiritbhai Mistry 416 885 8401
POOJA SAMAGRI / GROCERY STORES
India Sajawat and Puja Hut (see advertisement page #31)
Rishi 647 220 3771
Om India Food Centre (see advertisement page #38)
Girishbhai Patel 905 482 0025 905 452 1100
Patel Brothers (see advertisement page #18)
Bipinbhai Patel 416 439 9393 416 213 9394
PRAYER HALLS / TEMPLES
Arya Samaj Vedic Cultural Centre Prayer Hall capacity: 500 in chairs
P.A. System available Bring your own CD Player
and instruments
4345 – 14th Ave. (West off Kennedy,
south side of 14th Ave.) Markham, ON L3R 0J2
905 475 5778 We do Sanskar according to
Vedic Rites, Standard Samagri www.vedicculturalcentre.com
Cont’d…. Prayer Halls / Temples
BAPS Swami Narayan Mandir Prayer Hall capacity: 350
P.A. System available CD Player/Audio Visual
System available - Musical instruments (Tabla, Harmonium & Manjira) available
61 Clairville Drive Toronto, ON
M9W 5Z7
416 798 2277 Fax: 416 798 4498
Ganesh Temple (Hindu Temple Society of Canada)
P.A. System available Bring your own musical instruments
10865 Bayview Ave. Richmond Hill, ON
L4S 1M1
905 883 9109 www.thehindutemple.ca
Offer Moksha Archana (after death) pooja
Hindu Prathna Samaj Prayer Hall capacity: 200 to 250
P.A. System available (donation accepted) Basic musical instruments available
62 Fern Ave. Toronto, ON
M6R 1K1
416 536 9229 www.hinduprathnasamaj.ca
Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre Prayer Hall capacity: 1000
P.A. System available CD player/ Audio Visual system and
Musical instruments available
6875 Professional Crt. Mississauga, ON
L4V 1Y3
905 678 1166 www.hindu-mandir.net
Jai Durga Temple Prayer Hall capacity: 100 – 125
P>A. System available (donation accepted) Basic musical instruments available
2691 Markham Rd, # 5 Toronto, ON
M1X 1L4
416 754 2983 416 297 1146
Jain Society of Toronto Inc. (Jain Derasar) Prayer Hall capacity: 250
CD player/ Audio Visual system and Musical instruments available
48 Rosemeade Ave. Toronto, ON
M8Y 3A5
416 251 8112 www.jsotcanada.org
Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre Prayer Hall Capacity: 700
P. A. System available CD Players & instruments available
9333 Woodbine Ave. (Woodbine & 16th)
Markham, ON L6C 1T5
905 887 7777 www.sanatanmandir.com
Sri Athi Parasakthi Hindu Temple Prayer Hall capacity: 100
P.A. System available Bring your own CD Player & Instruments
3021 Markham Rd. Unit 46 & 47
Scarborough, ON M1X 1L8
416 293 1226 416 986 1226
Fax: 416 293 1215 [email protected]
Priest available for funeral vidhi/12-13th day pooja
Sringeri Vidya Bharathi Foundation (SVBF) Prayer Hall capacity: 700
P.A. System available CD Player & Audio Visual System available
Bring your own musical instruments
80 – 84 Brydon Drive Etobicoke, ON
M9W 4N6
416 745 1010 / 416 829 3647 Fax: 416 640 2179
[email protected] Priest available for funeral
vidhi/12-13th day pooja Vishnu Mandir
Prayer Hall capacity: 350 P.A. / CD System available
Bring your own instruments
8640 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 6L5
905 886 1724 www.vishnumandir.com
PRIESTS (POOJARI)
Bharatbhai & Purnimaben Shah (for Jain vidhi) 905 709 2648
Bipinbhai Vyas (see advertisement page #4)
416 493 2311 Cell: 647 400 4878
Kishorbhai Jani 905 469 6259 Pandit Bhoj Sharma Vishnu Temple 905 886 1724 Pankajbhai Shukla 905 471 9409
Praffulaben Shah (for Jain vidhi) 416 439 3086 Praful Pandya 416 283 5200 Toronto
905 915 5201 Brampton Purshottambhai Pandya
(see advertisement page #30) 905 534 2700
Cell: 416 844 5234 Dharmendrabhai Bhatt/Sunilbhai Trivedi Sanatan Mandir 905 887 7777
Vasudevbhai Vyas 289 553 1090
TRAVEL AGENTS
Century Travels (see advertisement page #30)
Hemant Raigangar 416 742 8788 905 282 0220
Quick Travels (see advertisement page #18)
Alkesh Patel Paritosh Patel
416 291 2025
VOLUNTEERS (Call any of the compassionate volunteers for guidance)
Prashant Trivedi Brampton 905 495 2457 Hemant Thaker Brampton 905 497 5959
Ashwin & Malini Dave Etobicoke 416 674 0329 Mahendra Patel Malton Res: 905 678 6914/Cell: 647 454 5830
Pankaj Shah Markham 905 470 0439 Rajesh Mehta Markham 905 554 6800
Rajubhai K. Shah Markham 416 953 1846 Rajendra Parikh Markham 647 893 7793 Bhartiben Karia Mississauga 905 828 0850
Lataben Champsee (Jain) North York 416 441 2200 Haresh Mehta Richmond Hill 416 846 8002
Gokulbhai Khatri Richmond Hill 905 887 9794 Jayendra Sthankiya Richmond Hill 905 883 0717
Prafullaben Shah (Jain) Scarborough 416 439 3086 Champak Patel Scarborough Res: 416 497 4988/Cell: 416 562 6334
Viren Shah Scarborough 416 298 4651 Devika & Arun Mehta Scarborough 416 754 7658 Kiran & Geeta Dharia Thornhill 905 771 9532
Subhash Shah Thornhill 416 707 7098 Arvind & Ami Sanghavi Unionville 905 940 2100
Bharatbhai & Purnimaben Shah (Jain) Vaughan 905 709 2648
TODAY IS A GOOD DAYTO MAKE THINGS SIMPLER
Insurance and investment solutions that fit your life.
© Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2011.
Desh ChugBus 416-493-9560 ext 2600Fax [email protected]/desh.chug
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We can help you with:• Life insurance• Personal health insurance• Long term care insurance• Employee benefits
• Mutual funds*• Registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs)• Critical illness insurance• Disability insurance
*Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.
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We carry unique variety of Indian hand craft items including: Mandirs, ReligiousMurtis, Gift Items, Religious Photos, Village Art Pictures and Home Decors.Visit us for the largest variety of Religious books, Yoga Ramdev Baba books,Bhajan CDs, DVDs, Real Riudraksha & Malas, gem Stones, Feng Shui &
Vastu Items, Musical Instruments, Weddings Accessories, Puja & Havan Items. We do custom framing also.See our advertisement on YouTube.com
OAKVILLE CHAPEL 109 Reynolds Street
Oakville905-844-3221
WESTON CHAPEL 2035 Weston Road
Toronto 416-241-4618
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905-851-9100
Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefits What are Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits? Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits are paid to a deceased contributor's estate, surviving spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. There are three types of benefits.
The death benefit is a one-time payment to, or on behalf of, the estate of a deceased Canada Pension Plan contributor; The survivor's pension is a monthly pension paid to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased contributor; The children's benefit is a monthly benefit for dependent children of a deceased contributor.
The Canada Pension Plan death benefit is a one-time, lump-sum payment made to the deceased contributor's estate. If there is no estate, the person responsible for the funeral expenses, the surviving spouse or common-law partner or the next of kin may be eligible, in that order.
The Canada Pension Plan survivor's pension is paid to the person who, at the time of death, is the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased contributor. If you are a separated legal spouse and there is no cohabiting common-law partner, you may qualify for this benefit. If your deceased same-sex common-law partner contributed to the Canada Pension Plan, you could be eligible for survivor's benefits.
The Canada Pension Plan children's benefit is paid to a dependent natural or adopted child of the deceased contributor, or a child in the care and control of the deceased contributor at the time of death. The child must be either under age 18, or between the ages of 18 and 25 and in full-time attendance at a school or university.
How much is the death benefit? As with most Canada Pension Plan benefits, the amount of the death benefit depends on how much, and for how long, you paid into the Canada Pension Plan. Canada Pension Plan first calculates the amount that your Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is, or would have been if you had been age 65 when death occurred. The death benefit is equal to six months' worth of this "calculated" retirement pension, up to a maximum of $2,500.
How much will a surviving spouse or common-law partner receive? The amount a surviving spouse or common-law partner will receive depends on:
whether the spouse or common-law partner is also receiving a Canada Pension Plan disability or retirement pension; how much, and for how long, the contributor has paid into the plan; and The spouse or common-law partner's age when the contributor dies.
First the Canada Pension Plan calculates how much the contributor's Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is, or would have been, if the contributor had been 65 at the time of death. Then, a further calculation is done based on the survivor's age at the time of the contributor's death.
Who qualifies for the children's benefit and how much is it? A child who has lost at least one parent who was a Canada Pension Plan contributor may qualify. For the benefit to be paid, the deceased parent must have met the contributory requirements.The monthly children's benefit is a flat rate that is adjusted annually. A child may get up to two benefits if:
both parents paid into the Canada Pension Plan for the minimum number of years, andEach parent is either disabled (according to Canada Pension Plan rules) or deceased.
Note, if the child is under the age of 18, the benefit is normally paid to the person with whom the child is living. However, in some cases, the benefit can be paid to the child who has applied. If the child is 18 or older and qualifies because of full-time attendance at a school or university, the benefit is paid directly to him or her on application.
It is important to apply for Canada Pension Plan benefits. If you do not apply, you may lose benefits you are entitled to receive. How do I apply? You must complete an application. Application kits are available from any Human Resources Canada Centre and many funeral homes. The kit contains the information and instructions as well as a list of documents you will need to include with your application. You may ask for a kit or assistance at any time by calling Service Canada free of charge at 1 800 277-9914. If you have a hearing or speech impairment and you use a TDD/ TTY device please call 1 800 255-4786. All correspondence should be sent to the nearest Service Canada Processing Centre. The mailing addresses of these offices in Ontario are shown below.
For postal codes beginning with L or MService Canada PO Box 5100 Station D Scarborough ON M1R 5C8
For postal codes beginning with K or PService Canada PO Box 2013 Timmins ON P4N 8C8
For postal codes beginning with NService Canada PO Box 2020 Station Main Chatham ON N7M 6B2
Service Canada Website: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml
Canada Pension Plan Survivor Benefits
If the survivor is: Then the calculation is:
age 65 or more 60 per cent of the contributor's retirement
pension, if the surviving spouse or common-law partner is not receiving other CPP benefits
age 45 to 64 or under age 45 and
o disabled (according to CPP legislation) oro raising a dependent child
a flat rate portion plus37.5 per cent of the contributor's retirement pension, if the surviving spouse or common-law partner is not receiving other CPP benefits
under age 45 ando not disabled (according to CPP legislation) ando not raising your dependent child
as above (age 45 to 64) minus1/120 for each month the spouse or common-law partner is under the age of 45 at the time of the contributor's death
under age 35 ando not disabled (according to CPP legislation) ando not raising your dependent child
not paid until the spouse or common-law partner reaches age 65 orbecomes disabled
Canada Pension Plan Payment Rates
Type of benefit Average benefit (March 2011) Maximum amount (2011)
Retirement (at age 65) $512.38 $960.00
Disability benefit $822.32 $1,153.37
Survivor – younger than 65 $370.26 $529.09
Survivor – 65 and older $302.07 $576.00
Children of disabled contributors benefit $218.50 $218.50
Children of deceased contributors benefit $218.50 $218.50
Death (maximum one-time payment) $2,266.26 $2,500.00
Combined benefits
Survivor/retirement (retirement at 65) $692.92 $960.00
Survivor/disability $953.01 $1,153.37
What to Do Following a Death: 1. Contact a Funeral Home or Transfer Service
2. Obtain a Death Certificate
3. Cancel a Passport
The passport should be returned to Passport Canada with a copy of the death certificate and a letter indicating if the cancelled passport should be destroyed or returned to you. It is recommended that you send the documents by:
registered mail to: Passport Canada Foreign Affairs Canada Gatineau QC K1A 0G3, Canada
or by courier to: Passport Canada 22 de Varennes Street Gatineau QC J8T 8R1, Canada
4. Cancel a Social Insurance Number (SIN):
The next-of-kin should return the SIN card along with a copy of the death certificate or a Statement of Death to Service Canada. If you do not have the SIN card but do know the number, please send proof of death (as previously stated) with the SIN clearly written on it. These documents should be sent to: Social Insurance Registration P.O. Box 7000, Bathurst NB E2A 4T1, Canada
5. Notify the Canada Revenue Agency of the Death:The Canada Revenue Agency Web site at (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/lf-vnts/dth/menu-eng.html)provides information about how to notify the Canada Revenue Agency of a death. The Web site also provides information on cancelling benefit payments in the name of the deceased.
6. The executor should also contact the person’s banks, financial institutions and insurance company.
7. Cancel Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan Benefits:
Please contact Service Canada to notify of the date of death of the CPP/OAS pensioner/ beneficiary as soon as possible by telephone or mail. When contacting Service Canada by telephone, if possible, please have the person's Social Insurance Number (SIN) on hand when you call. If you choose to notify Service Canada by mail, please ensure the following information is included in your letter: The deceased pensioner/beneficiary's: Full Name, Date of birth, Date of death, Social Insurance Number (if known), Previous address Name and address of the estate or the person responsible for handling the deceased's affairs (if known).
8. Other provincial personal documents and cards, such as health cards and driver’s licenses, should also be cancelled. Further information can be obtained through Ontario Government web site at:
http://www.ontario.ca/en/life_events/death/004448.html
CPP Information compiled by Yogesh Shah Tel: 416.291.7541
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“The urge to do and be that which is the noblest, the most beautiful of which we are capable; is the creative impulse of every high achievement.” - Paramhansa Yogananda
TYPICAL RELIGIOUS DOs AND DON’Ts“For proper guidance please consult your priest as there are many different beliefs and variances in the religious “dos and don’ts”.
Following is one set of such beliefs.
1) At home pray in front of the Mandir – however, diya must not be lit by any family member in your temple at home (Although, distant relative or other unrelated person can light it).
2) It is believed that body becomes impure when one visits crematorium, hence returning from crematorium, all persons must take a bath immediately to purify their body.
3) It is important that unfulfilled wishes of the departed soul are fulfilled to the best of your ability.
4) For departed soul make maximum donation possible (money, grocery, food etc.) and do as much “poojapatha” as possible.
5) For several days pray for the “Moksha” of departed soul.
6) Traditionally on 9th day after the death, family member who is going to perform the “shradh” shaves his head.
7) Keep a diya lighted in front of the departed soul’s photo, if possible 24 hrs a day for first 12 days.
8) Whenever possible, invite Brahmins to your home and have them read Bhagawat Geeta. This is usually done over a period of seven days.
9) For 12 days do not visit any Temple.
10) It is imperative to perform “Shradh Vidhi”* on the 12th day as elaborately as possible. It is believed that doing this makes the departed soul to unify with other previously departed souls of your mother’s and father’s side of the family thus giving “Moksha” to the departed loved one. This “vidhi” can also be done over a 3 day period (10th, 11th and 12th Day).
This article is sponsored by Veena & Pankaj Shah
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“Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.” – Mahatma Gandhi
