The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-01-01
A HINDoo FUNERAL.
Arrangements by Which GhG=tly Effects
Arc Avoidsio F..

arrangement by Nnlcu uut-stiS LhoStS
Arc Avoidsio
San Francisco Call.
A marriage ana q funeral are affairs
much to be dreaded by 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 the life
hereafter, n funeralfeast is really often
the real source of the woe on such
occasions. As a matter OF course the
Brahmins figure consplcuously, for 1t
is hoped that through their interces-
sions will the dead mar gain heavenly
bliss.
In Madras the ceremonies are ar
ranged scientifically. There much OF
tine hideouSness that is SO revoltingto
a person OF delicate nerves is hidden.
There are no fierce flames to be seen
cracking around and burning the
corpse, no terribly offensive odors, but,
on the contrary, at a hish-castefmer-
al there is to be seen the greatest re-
SpeSu puiu W tile ucdIi, itilu tsiSoSNStS
| possible arrangement to deprive the
funeral OF its CHASTITY effect.
The body is laid in Il sloping po-
%sition. resting on II heavy bed OF dry
straw. This straw bed rests upon q
solid stone foundation imbedded III
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 checks are painted
bright rcd. After the Surviving son
has passed around the pyre three
times muttering IL mantram, with the
pot in hand containing the holy fire.
he lights they're. The straw is speed-
lily ablnze, and the slight layer OF
wood is soon burning, and when he
flames begin to touch the body IL is
covered with a thick coating OF mud,
so that the corpse is actually burned
within a covering. 1t is thus lett Tor
three days, when this coating ofmud
is broken open, and the collected ash
IS arc thrown into the adjacent river.
No sooner has the mourning cortege
left the spot where under the mud
dome is left the corpse than coolest
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
/ -. ls-.l,,', ..t,.,, Hon., .s y, Nnrt h.
ern India, the funeralfe is observed
rigidly, and the number OF people led
isgenerally more than the purscof the
dead man can actually afford.
Death in India is not looked upon
with that mysterious w us IN more
northern countries. Its presence iss5
universal, its operations so rapld,an
the removal so sudden, either by burr
ing or burial, that the bereaved have
never the time given them OF indulge
in the luxury o. griefby heunpleasant
spectacle of having the dead i'll Their
midst. Funeral corteges in all parts o.
India are disorderly, and it is
not uncommon for them to IN.
dulge i. unseemly fighting with
each other when they are under
the impression that one OF then
is perhaps Sinking his portion of the
load when carrying the corpse to tn:
CHAT.
Perhaps never to better advantage
does the philosophical nature OF th'
Hindoo show than on the occasion
of a death. Rarely does a mother
ever when almost beside herself Will
grief over the Incorporating deati
Of her son. once make a moan afte
the breath has left the body. "Deatl
has come" she says, land hence lie
there be no weeping" And hiret
I mourners are engaged tor that un
pleasant task. while she will, will
fearless eyes, follow the remains c
her child.