Describe a traditional Buddhist funeral ceremony (4)

Buddhists see funerals as a transition from this life to the next, and that death is all part of samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth to which life is bound). In Theravada buddhism, the family gives cloth to the monks/nuns (bhikkus/bhikkunis) to make new robes, and they hold merit-making sessions for the deceased after 3 months and 1 year. In Mahayana buddhism (in Tibet), the deceased is surrounded by wreathes and as they die the name of the buddha is whispered to them. After 49 days of verse reading, a sky burial (where the corpse is cut up and fed to vultures for good kamma) may take place.

Related Religious Studies GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the 3 main aspects of the human condition in Buddhism?


Describe Christian attitudes to abortion.


Explain ‘If God were loving, there would be no suffering in the world.’


How come two people who are both Christians can have different beliefs about issues such as abortion?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences