Talk:Major Steps in Hindu Funeral Cremation Ceremony: Post Cremation Ceremonies
Depending on family and regional traditions, the ceremonies can last several days. It is believed that the ātmā of the dead person acquires a temporary subtle body called ‘preta’ which takes nine days to form. The deceased ātmā has still not overcome its attachments to people, places and objects that it encountered during its life in the
cremated body. It is still in a state of shock and pain of having lost its body, and imagines itself to be intensely thirsty and hungry. During this period, the family members perform religious ceremonies to invite the preta and eat the food and drink offered by them. On the 10th day, worship is performed to Yama, the Deva of death, to help the preta shed its preta body and move on to its next life. In many Hindu communities, family members do not visit temples for these 10 days and non-family members do not eat food at the home of the deceased person. Family members also donate the clothing and other personal effects of the deceased to needy and poor persons.