Talk:Preparing for Death- Duties of Family and Friends

By Vishal Agarwal

Upon death, the ātmā of the dead person passes through the trauma of leaving the body that it had inhabited for so many years, and of being separated from one’s near and dear ones. The relatives must perform funeral rites to give peace and happiness to the ātmā of the dead person. These funeral rites involve recitation of scriptural passages that emphasize the eternal nature of the ātmā, the perishable nature of the body and the world, the temporariness of all relationships, and the notion that only Bhagavān and our relationship with him is permanent and that we can overcome death and become immortal only by approaching Him. It is believed that as a result of these acts, the soul finally overcomes its grief and attachments and proceeds onward in its journey to its next abode.

The family members should also fulfill the last wishes of the dead person and fulfill any duties and obligations that he may have left unfulfilled. This relieves the soul of any guilt and remorse. The River Ganga has the power to grant Moksha. Therefore, when a person is dying, his close relatives might pour a little water from the Ganga into his mouth (or do so immediately after his death).

When someone meets a traumatic or violent death, they may not have time to prepare for their onward journey to the afterlife. It is then the duty of his children to offer worship on his behalf, give alms, and organize recitations of scriptures in the hope that the departed soul will derive comfort from these actions, till it finally proceeds onward.