Buddhist funeral rites and rituals are replete with religious importance for Buddhists. Buddhists believe that the soul is given freedom from the cycle of life and death from the deceased person\'s body during the funeral services and is able to reach a new level and move towards a higher plane of existence.
The Buddhist funeral ceremonies which conclude with cremation in most cases, are done by monks with the help of the bereaved family. When a person has died, Buddhist monks read sutras from holy books to liberate the good energies from the soul. While the chanting continues, the deceased is made ready for the funeral service and for visitors to pay last respects, so that there is no decay even if the final rites are delayed. The body is bathed and put to rest in a coffin along with incense sticks, candles, flowers and a photograph of the deceased person.
The Abhidharma, a holy Buddhist scripture is read daily by visiting monks during the funeral days even when the cremation is deferred to wait for the visitors from distant places.
On the occasion of the funeral, Buddhist monks perform the last rites and their head monk delivers a short speech in tribute to the dead person focusing on his contributions in life and comforting the aggrieved family that death is destiny. During the final religious chanting and ceremony, the coffin is wrapped in white clothing and a ritual of conveying blessings and positive energies to the soul of the deceased, referred to as \'Pansakula\' is carried out.
Just before cremation, a family member or a near and dear one is asked to make a brief speech about the deceased person. After the cremation, a special meal is organized for the people assembled at the funeral.
Although some modifications in traditions can be found, these are the broad ritualistic procedures carried out during funeral ceremonies by followers in Thailand, Tibet, China and many other countries, where a large number of Buddhists live.
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