Significance of Leaves and Flowers at Hindu Funerals

Significance of Leaves and Flowers at Hindu Funerals

If you aren’t familiar with Hinduism and Hindu funerals, you may not know of the importance of flowers during a Hindu funeral ceremony. Different religions can have very different beliefs when it comes to burial and the rituals associated with it. For example, when someone dies, they should be buried as soon as possible. Flowers and leaves play an important part in the ceremony.

Hindu Funerals

In the Hindu religion, when a person dies, they must be buried before the next dawn or the next dusk, depending on when the person has died. In the UK, it can be difficult to implement this part of the tradition, but the deceased will be buried as soon as it is practical to do so. This may make it difficult to arrange flower delivery to the family of the deceased. However, by using same day flower delivery or next day flower delivery from a trusted florist, you can still ensure the sympathy flowers arrive in time for the ceremony. Hindu funeral ceremonies usually take place at the home of the deceased or in the family home.

Flowers at a Hindu Funeral Service

Lotus flowers play a significant part in Hinduism. Lotus flowers represent triumph over adversity. This is because despite growing from mud and water, the lotus flower blossoms into something exquisite. The flowers also represent purity and the cleansing of earthly sins. In Hinduism, most adults are cremated. Babies, children and saints are the exception. Before cremation, the body will be washed by close family members. If this isn’t possible, the funeral home will try to prepare the body while adhering to the Hindu faith and rituals. Once the body has been prepared during various rituals, garlands of lotus flowers will be draped around the neck of the deceased. At many Hindu funeral ceremonies, the coffin will be draped with flowers, leaves and herbs.

Leaves at Hindu funerals

Tulsi, or “Holy leaves” as they are also sometimes called, play a big part in Hindu funerals. These leaves are indigenous to South Asia and are closely related to basil and mint plants. Tulsi is used as it is believed to provide health benefits to the departed’s spirit in the next life and to be the earthly form of the goddess of the same name. The leaf is also said to be a favourite of the Hindu deity, Vishnu. A Tulsi leaf will be placed in the mouth of the deceased, along with gold. According to the Hindu scriptures, being cremated with Tulsi allows for ease of passage to liberation.

Flowers as Gifts at Hindu Funerals

It is not the norm for flowers to be brought to the funeral by mourners outside the family. It is thought that this could complicate the rituals of the funeral. If you want to show your respect by giving flowers, do so away from the ceremony itself, and perhaps send flowers by post at a later date or have flowers delivered as sympathy flowers after the event. Lotus flowers and yellow and white chrysanthemums are the most appropriate flowers to gift as these are the official flowers of mourning in Asia and the Hindu communities. After the funeral ceremony, there will be a cremation which typically is only attended by close family members. The Hindu mourning period begins immediately after the cremation and lasts for between 10 to 30 days. This is worth bearing in mind if you intend to send flowers during this period. A picture of the deceased may also be displayed in the home and a wreath or garland of flowers placed around it.