The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-12-25
A H1NDoo FUNERAL.
Arrangements by which Ghsstly Enscts
Are Avoided.

seAASDoOsAAOhSo W +" AAoh 0nontAy 0u0CSo
Arc Avoided.
ean Francisco Call.
A marriage and O funeral are affairs
much to be dreaded by a wealthy Hin.
doc, for on either occasion there has
to be considerable spent on feasting
not only on the relatives, but a host
of dependents; and as without a feast
the soul of the departed one is in dam
ger Of not tasting the joys OF tho life
hereafter, a funeral feast is really often
the real source of the woe on such
occasions. As matter of course the
Brahmins figure consplcuously, for it
is hoped that through their interces-
sions will the dead man gain heavenly
bliss.
In Madras the ceremonies arc ar-
ranged scientifically. There much of
the hideousness that is so revoltingto,
person OF delicate nerves is hidden.
There are no fierce flames to be seen
corpse, no terribly offensive odors, but,
on the contrary, Mt high-castefuner-
al there is to be seen the greatest re-
spect paid to the dead, and also every
possible arrangement to deprive the
funeral of its ghastly effect.
Tho body is laid in sloping po.
sition, resting on q heavy bed OF dry
straw. This straw bed rests upon u
solid stone foundation imbedded in
cement. When the straw has been
laid and besprinkled three times slight
ly with holy water the body is laid
upon it. The legs are crooked up
tailortashion, and the body is clothed
in pure white of peculiar linen, used
solely for the shrouding OF the dead.
The corpse is then covered with white
flowers, the only part that is visible
being the face. The cheeks are painted
bright red. After the surviving son
has passed around the pyre three
times muttering q mantraml, with the
pot in hand containing the holy fire,
he lights thepyre. The straw is speed
lily ablaze, and tho slight layer OF
wood is soon burning, and when .ho
covered with q thick coating OF mud,
80 that the corpse is actually burned
within u covering. 1t is thus left for
three days, when this coating ofmud
is broken open, and the collected ash
es are thrown into the adjacent river.
No sooner has the mourning cortege
left the spot where under the mud
dome is left the corpse than the Oldest
son prepares himself for the last rite
Of the ceremony. He disrobes entirely
and taking his position near the late
pyre, gets shaved from head to foot,
the razor passing over every inch OF
his body's surface. Here, us in North
.rn India, the funeral feastis observed
rigidly. and the number OF people fed
isgenerally more than the purse OF tho
dead man can actually afford.
Death i'll India is not looked upon
with that mysterious awe as in more
northern countries. It's presence is so
universal, it's operations so rapid ,and
the removal so sudden, either by burn
ing or burial, that the bcreaved have
never the time given them or indulge
in the luxury o. griefby the unpleasant
spectacle OF having the dead i'll their
midst. Funeralcortege in all parts OF
India are disorderly, and it is
not uncommon for them to IN
dull 60 i, unseemly fighting with
each other when they are under
the impression that one of them
is perhaps shirking his portion OF the
load when carrying the corpse to the
CHAT.
Perhaps never to better advantage
does the philosophical nature OF the
Hindoo show than OH tho occasion
OF a death. Rarely does q mother,
even when almost beside herself with
grief over the elose-approaching death
of her son, once make moan after
the breath has left the body. death
has come, j" She says, "and hence let
there be no weeping" And hired
mourners are engaged tor that un.
pleasant task. while she will, with
fearless eyes, follow the remains Of
her child.