Talk:Major Steps in Funeral Cremation Ceremony:Collecting the Funeral Remains

By Vishal Agarwal

The fire consumes the body of the deceased, leaving a pile of ashes and bones within two days. Thereafter, the son and other male relatives go to the site to collect those parts that are not destroyed completely, like ribs and some parts of the skull, and fingers. The son first pours milk on what is left of the pyre – the pile of ashes. Thereafter, he is guided by an experienced person or the priest to sift out the bone remnants with his own hands and collect them in a container. These bones are then washed with milk, and flowers are placed on them with the chanting of mantras. The bones are then tied within a bag. The remaining ashes are also collected in bags.