As Hindu population is growing in the USA, Hindus are urging crematoriums nationwide to become Hindu-friendly; ensuring dignity and adherence to religious customs, prioritizing the soul’s liberation and spiritual progress towards moksh (liberation).
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that crematorium companies should become more flexible in respectfully accommodating and honoring deeply held traditional antyeshti rituals and rites; including facilities for ceremonial washing of the body, coffin handling, facilitating shipping ashes to India, etc. Crematoriums should offer live-streaming services for families-friends abroad and provide guidance/services for the legal and respectful scattering of ashes in local water-bodies.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested crematoriums send their staff for training in Hindu funeral rites and customs and respectful communication with the families about their specific needs.
Rajan Zed indicated to large crematorium operators like Service Corporation International, Carriage Services, Park Lawn Corporation, StoneMor Partners, etc.; to publish guidebooks for their crematorium staff about Hindu cremation handling.
Zed suggested crematoriums to allow placing of rice-balls (pind) near the deceased and burning of incense. Crematoriums should carry Om symbol, Trishul (trident) and lotus imagery to be displayed/used during the cremation ceremony; and a lamp to be placed near the head of the deceased.
Rajan Zed also asked the city and county administrations nationwide to designate a space on the banks of water bodies in their respective areas to scatter ashes.
Zed urged large population centers in the country to allow traditional open-pyre cremations; requesting the city-county-state administrations involved to allocate specific designated sites, create a clear and respectful permitting process, engage with area Hindu communities to understand the specific requirements and cultural sensitivities involved, train personnel to oversee the process respecting religious customs, educate/inform the public about the cultural and religious significance of open-pyre cremations to foster understanding and acceptance, etc.
Open-pyre cremation encompasses ritual purity and tradition, and has deep spiritual significance in Hinduism; rooted in ancient beliefs about soul’s journey and liberation (moksh), Rajan Zed stresses.
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