Leave a Comment / By Charan Ji / November 17, 2023
Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and the rituals that follow their passing hold immense significance in the Hindu culture. One such ritual is the 3rd day death ceremony, which involves the important customs of Asthi Visarjan and Karta.
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So, let us delve into the meaning and essence of this sacred ceremony of the 3rd day death ceremony.
The 3rd day death ceremony in Hindu funeral rituals holds profound meaning. It includes Asthi Visarjan and the role of the Karta. Asthi Visarjan symbolizes the soul’s transition from the earthly realm to the spiritual realm. The Karta, typically the eldest son or a close family member of the departed, takes on the responsibility of overseeing the rituals. This ceremony allows the family to honor the departed soul, find solace, and achieve closure. It signifies the spiritual passage, acceptance of impermanence, and importance of remembrance.
3rd Day Death Ceremony Significance And Purpose
The 3rd day death ceremony is a crucial part of Hindu funeral rituals and has immense significance. It serves to honor the departed soul and provide solace and closure to the grieving family. This ceremony signifies the journey of the soul, allowing the family to grieve and make necessary arrangements. Through prayers and rituals, the ceremony acts as a transition for both the departed soul and the family, offering support and comfort. It also reminds them of the impermanence of life and the eternal nature of the soul.
Why Are Funerals 3 Days After Death?
The timing of the funeral ceremony, specifically three days after death, has a spiritual and practical rationale behind it. According to Hindu belief, it is believed that the soul hovers around the earthly realm for three days before departing for its onward journey. This waiting period allows the family to grieve and make the necessary preparations for the funeral rites.
The Antim Sanskar ceremony, performed on the third day after cremation, is a very important part of the cremation in Hindu culture. It is during this ceremony that the mortal remains, referred to as “asthi“, are collected. The family members and close relatives gather to pay their final respects and perform the ritualistic prayers, seeking peace and salvation for the departed soul.
3rd Day Post Death Procedure
The 3rd day post-death procedure in Hindu funeral customs involves rituals and ceremonies to honor the departed soul and facilitate their spiritual journey.
Asthi (ashes) are collected and placed in a sacred vessel, symbolizing the soul’s transition to the spiritual realm.
Ritualistic prayers, hymns, and offerings are performed to honor the departed soul.
Family members offer prayers, flowers, incense, and symbolic items to assist the soul’s spiritual journey and bring peace to the family.
Reflections on the life of the departed loved one are shared, celebrating their impact and preserving their memory.
The family seeks blessings and spiritual guidance for the departed soul, praying for liberation and peace.
The 3rd day post-death procedure provides a time for the family to come together, support each other, and find solace in collective mourning and remembrance.
Why Is Asthi Collected On The 3rd Day After Death ?
The practice of collecting the asthi (ashes) on the third day after death holds religious and spiritual significance. It is believed that during the initial days after cremation, the soul remains connected to the earthly realm. By collecting the asthi on the third day, the family acknowledges the transition of the soul and performs the final rites to facilitate its liberation and spiritual journey. These rituals offer a way for the grieving family to pay their final respects and seek peace for the departed soul as it embarks on its eternal journey.
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After the cremation, the remains of the deceased are collected and kept in an urn. They are then immersed in the holy water on the day of the last rites or the 3rd, 7th or 9th day. This practice is known as Asthi Visarjan.
Most funerals typically occur within a few days to a week of a death. This is to allow the family and friends of the deceased to plan and gather for the service. It is also because modern embalming methods begin to wear off after about 7 days and may affect the deceased's appearance.
They typically display a photo of their loved one at home and welcome visitors there, and perform rituals or say prayers to make sure that the soul of their loved one unites with a new body. Mourning periods vary between different Hindu traditions and can range from ten to thirty days.
Pind Sammelan, also called Spindi or terahvin in North India, is a ritual performed in Hinduism on the 13th day of death of somebody. This ritual is performed to place the departed soul with their ancestors and deities.
It is customary that on the third day after cremation, the karta goes to the cremation service area and collects the ashes of the deceased. The karta would then see that the ashes were disposed of in a significant river. In India, many still travel to the Ganges River to scatter the ashes there.
At a Hindu funeral, attendees may chant the mantra, “Om Namo Narayanaya,” which more specifically translates to “I bow to Lord Narayana.” Lord Narayana is the Supreme God. Chanting this phrase helps give comfort to those grieving and peace to the deceased.
No matter if a loved one's passing was expected or sudden, the majority of religions hold the funeral within a week. Most Christian denominations as well as many Buddhists use this time frame. Catholic funerals often take place about three days after a loved one's death, and rarely on Sundays.
There is no 'right' length of time for a person to grieve. It's important for the person who has lost a loved one to be allowed the time they need to work through their grief. The person who has lost a loved one may feel better for a while, only to become sad again.
“There's even a circadian rhythm of death, so that in the general population people tend on average to be most likely to die in the morning hours. Sometime around 11 a.m. is the average time.”
Why can't we eat turmeric when someone dies in the family? Not all have this restriction. However, for those that have this restriction, the underlying reason is that turmeric is considered as an auspicious object (mangala dravya). So its usage is avoided in the first 12 days of someone's death at home.
Traditionally, the Hindu mourning period ranges from 10 to 30 days. Throughout this time, families may display a picture of their loved one, adorned with a garland of flowers, somewhere in their house.
“Om shanti om” is said three times to invoke peace in the body, mind and spirit. The mantra can be said as either “Om shanti, om shanti, om shanti” or “Om shanti, shanti, shanti.”
There is a 10-day period after the death, during which the immediate family follows Hindu mourning customs. They refrain from visiting the family shrine and are prohibited from entering a temple or any other sacred place. This is because they are considered to be spiritually impure during this mourning period.
This ceremony, known as the 12th day ceremony or “Sapindikaran shrāddha”, is a solemn occasion when family, friends, and loved ones gather to honor and remember the departed soul. It is a time of reflection, prayer, and remembrance, marking an important milestone in the grieving journey.
What is Chautha Ritual? In Hindu tradition, Chautha ceremony usually takes place on the fourth day after the last rites. And also called the fourth. Families of the deceased perform this ritual in a place of worship, and there is a well-decorated picture of the deceased place.
Funeral is a ceremony that is used to remember, honor and sanctify the dead. Depending on the culture, there are various different ways that can be used to celebrate life of the deceased. Some offer prayers, while other pray for peace.
In India (and Nepal), a death anniversary is known as shraadh (Shraaddha "श्राद्ध" in Nepali). The first death anniversary is called a barsy, from the word baras, meaning year in Hindi. Shraadh means to give with devotion or to offer one's respect.
The funeral rites consist of three parts. First is the wake that usually occurs in a funeral parlor. The body is present and prayers and eulogies are offered by family and friends. The funeral mass is next which includes an opening prayer, bible readings, liturgy, communion, and a concluding rite.
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