Buddhism
About
Buddhism, or Dharmavinaya, is an ancient religion and philosophical tradition. It originated from the teachings of the Buddha, a prince called Siddhartha Gautama, in what is now Nepal over 2,500 years ago.
Today, Buddhism is the world's fourth largest religion with over 520 million followers. It places a strong focus on spiritual development and enlightenment, or nirvana. Buddhists strive for deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities.
End of Life
Buddhists believe in reincarnation and rebirth. Death is simply one event in samsara, the infinite cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, that ultimately leads to enlightenment. Because of this belief, their mind state when they die is considered extremely important in determining their rebirth.
They generally want to know when they are dying so they can start to prepare. Rituals to clear the mind may include chanting alone, with loved ones, or with a Buddhist monk or nun. They may refuse pain relief medication to stay as conscious as possible.
The main goal for a dying Buddhist is to create a calm, peaceful setting that supports their spiritual needs. Discussing how to achieve this in advance is key, as each individual is different. Shrines, pictures, prayer beads, and other sacred objects may be requested, along with specific dietary or modesty provisions.
After Death
Ideally, funeral preferences should be discussed with a Buddhist while they are still alive, as their personal wishes, such as burial or cremation, vary depending on their affiliation with a particular tradition. Most Buddhist funerals end in cremation, but a Buddhist leader from the local Sangha should be informed to help identify the type of traditions the deceased may have wanted if this information is not already known.
Generally, Buddhist funerals are quite simple, with few formal or religious rituals, and they may be conducted by a senior member of the Sangha. Just as for the dying process, it is equally important to create a peaceful setting for their place of rest, to allow other Buddhists to visit and meditate for a few days after the death.
A Buddhists funeral service will usually involve chanting from loved ones and monks. Once the service is over, the attending monks or funeral director will close the casket lid and proceed to a cremation chambre. If a postmortem is needed, there is unlikely to be any objection, as long as the procedure does not disturb the calm and peaceful setting established for the deceased’s place of rest prior to their burial or cremation.