The Significance of Hindu Rituals After the Loss of a Father

Aman

19 March, 2025

Table of Contents

What does the faith about death in Hinduism stands?
What happens in a Hindu family after the demise of the father?
Rituals to take place in a Father's cremation rites
After how much time, the cremation rite should be performed after the demise
How can you plan a dignified funeral before the cremation ritual of your father?
What is the mourning period after the death of father in the Hindu Religion?
What should be an ideal clothes for the funeral or cremation of the father?
Is it necessary to bring something to the funeral of father?

Death of a beloved family member or a close friend brings immense pain, agony and sense of distress among the near and dear ones. But the significant last rites in the Hindu Religion help the grievers obtaining peace in this tough phase. Along with it, performing the final rituals by a male lead mourner of the family leads a path of salvation for the departed soul.

According to the sacred scriptures of Hindu Religion, there are some certain set of rules that must be followed for the dignified final rites of a departed soul.

Here, one can get thorough information about the rituals that must be performed after the demise of father in the family.

What does the faith about death in Hinduism stands?

In Hinduism, the faith regarding the demise is centred around reincarnation. The followers of Hinduism believe that when a person dies, the soul takes rebirth in a different form or body. According to the belief, the deceased person loses only its physical body but the soul remains and continues to recycle until it obtains the peace and salvation. This entire cycle of birth and death can take many lifetimes. And it is believed that with each passing life the soul strives to move closer to Brahma, the Hindu God. Along with it, the faith regarding the death in Hinduism states that soul’s next incarnation will be based on the actions performed by the person in the previous life, that is called Karma.

What happens in a Hindu family after the demise of the father?

After the death of father, the male member of the family (usually the eldest one) takes charge of performing each ritual included in the last rites.
It is believed that the physical body serves no purpose after demise and does not need to be preserved. Hence the cremation rite takes place as soon as possible after the death.
In the case of father's death the elder son, brother and father can perform the cremation rite. Cremating the deceased body is essential as the followers of Hinduism believe that it’s the quickest way to release the soul and help in reincarnation.
In ancient times, Hindus performed the cremation rite on the sacred bank of holy river Ganga in India, and then the family members carried the casket to the crematorium site. But these days, Hindus cremated the dead body at a local Cremation ground/ Crematorium, and then collect the ashes in an urn to scatter them in the holy river Ganga.

Also Read, Religious Reason Behind The 13-Day Break From The Worship Of God When Someone Passes Away

How does a Funeral Direction Organization helps the mourning family in the quick and dignified cremation of father?

An experienced funeral direction team workers know well where a family needs help the most. The skilled team members will guide the mourners at the following steps.

Booking the Cremation Ground according to the convinience of the deceased's family members for the cremation on their behalf.
Providing a safe and quick transportation to the dead body from the residence to the Vishram Sthal or Cremation Ground/ crematorium.
Arrangement of the Antim Sanskar Samagri that includes all the essential items for the cremation rite.
Hiring a professional and well-learned hindu priest or pandit ji for guiding the lead mourner during the cremation ceremony. He will also chant appropriate hymns and preach the family regarding the death and importance of the cremation ceremony.
The team prepares the dead body for the cremation. We wash it, clean it and dress it up for the ritual. We also prepare the bier and pyre for the traditional wooden cremation.
Decoration of the vehicle used in the transportation
Decoration of the cremation ground / Crematorium by a professional florist's team.
Arrangement of the tech tools for the zoom meet and live telecast of the cremation rite for those family and friends who are unable to join the cremation in person.
Providing a beautiful urn to collect the ashes of the deceased body after cremation
Helping the deceased's family in Asthi Visarjan at a specific location such as Gaya, Kashi, Pryagraj and Haridwar etc.

Along with these fundamental services, the team leaves some room for additional personalized services if the family wants to include them in the package.

Rituals to take place in a Father's cremation rites

According to the Vedic scriptures of Hindu Religion, the cremation rites take the form of chants or mantras which a well-learned Hindu priest usually chants. He guides the lead mourner of the family or the eldest son performing the cremation rite. The priest will gather the family and friends and lead them in the various Hindu death rituals.

Here are the key tasks that the lead mourner should perform with the help of a well-learned priest.

The lead mourner with the help of other male family members wash the deceased body with ghee, honey, milk, and yoghurt etc.
It is necessary to place essential oils on the head of the deceased body. In the case of father's death, the oil of sandalwood should be placed on the head.
The hands of deceased body should be placed in such position that the palms are downwards and the toes of the feet should be tied together.
According to the religious rules the deceased’s body should be dressed in new and white clothes.
For the dignified cremation of father, a floral garland should be placed of the perfectly wraped deceased body. The pindas 'rice balls' can also take place close to the remains.
A lamp should be placed close to the head of the dead body. The lead mourner should sprinkle Ganga Jal on the body to make it sacred before igniting the pyre.

After how much time, the cremation rite should be performed after the demise

According to Hindu death rituals, the body should be cremated before the sunset. Hence, the remains can be kept at the home for 3-4 hours maximum after demise. But it is suggested to perform Cremation as soon as possible after the death.

If there is a delay in the cremation ritual due to any unavoidable reasons, the family members should send the dead body for embalming procedure. It will keep the body protected from decomposition.

How can you plan a dignified funeral before the cremation ritual of your father?

Before cremation, the dead body is placed at home or a funeral hall for the "Antim Darshan". In this ritual all the family members, neighbours and friends collect together to mourn the lose of the departed soul.

The very first step is carrying the casket to a funeral hall where all the mourners recite prayers and console each other. They also remember the life and legacy of the departed person.
In an open casket with a glass display, the deceased's body is placed. Here all the guests or visitors are expected to see the dead body for the last time. According to the Hindu Scriptures, this entire funeral process should be done respectfully and attendees should not touch the person who has died.
Once the funeral or Antim Darshan ritual is completed, the dead body is carried to the cremation ground for offering it to Mukhagni.
Ideally, the makhani or cremation is only attended by the male members of the family and other known ones, however, these days, Hindu families allow women to attend the cremation.
The day after the Mukhagni, the remains or ashes are collected in an urn and will be scattered over a sacred water body (ideally Ganga River) or a place of importance to the deceased.

Also Read, Step by Step Cremation Process in India

What is the mourning period after the death of father in the Hindu Religion?

After cremating the deceased body, the family mourns over the loss for the next 13 days. At the 10th day, Daswan, the 11th day (Ekadashi) and the 13th day Teharavin and Pagadi Rasm take place.

The Teharavin ritual is considered the ending of the 13-day-long lamenting period. In Teharavin, the below given tasks are included. Give a look at them -:

A specific person called Mahapatra is invited for leading the family during Teharavin ritual.
Rice balls (pindas) are prepared for offering them to the departed soul.
13 Brahmins are invited for having the Vegetarian food (Satvik Food) in the end.
The lead male member (son) offer Clothes, utensils and Cash to the Brahmins as well as Mahapatra at the end of the Teheravin Ritual.

What should be an ideal clothes for the funeral or cremation of the father?

In the Hindu religion, plain white clothes are considered ideal for a father's funeral and cremation. The women can pick light colour clothes as well for attending the funeral. Covering the head for male members is not necessary but females should cover their head and arms. Hence sleeveless and stylish clothes and accessories aren't acceptable at a hindu funeral.

Is it necessary to bring something to the funeral of father?

No, there is no such rule of bringing something at the funeral. But the attendees can bring fresh flowers at the funeral to show their love and respect towards departed soul.