Cremation Mesa | Worldwide Practices

As you research cremation Mesa, you might find other culture’s cremation and funeral practices interesting. Depending on your deceased loved one’s beliefs or preferences, the following may offer some inspiration for their cremation Mesa remembrance. Or, in comparison, you may be comforted to know that we can keep the cremation ceremony quite simple. That said, here are some examples of cremation practices from around the world:

Bali – The body of the deceased is placed on a float, decorated by villagers and adorned with flowers. The float is paraded through the village to the central square where it is consumed by flames. This last act marks the beginning of a massive feast to honor and remember the dead.

India – The typical cremation ceremony starts with the ritual cleansing and dressing of the body. Then, the body is carried to the cremation ground as prayers are chanted to their god, invoking his aid. The eldest takes twigs of flaming holy kusha grass from the Doms. He then performs Circumambulation (the act of moving around a sacred object) with the pyre in a counter-clockwise direction. This is done this way because they believe everything is backward at the time of death.

Varanasi, India – The burning ghats (set of stairs that lead down to something as small as a pond or as large as a major river) of Varanasi, is where cremation is performed on the deceased waterside. In Hinduism, this is considered to be a place of life and creation.

Japan – . At the funeral, the person who died is given a new Buddhist name. This is based on a belief that this will prevent them from returning if their name is called. Before cremation, the family will put flowers around the head and shoulders of the deceased. The family is present at the crematorium, as the casket is moved to the cremation chamber. Traditionally, the urn goes home with the family. It is placed on an altar in the home for 35 days before it is placed in the crypt of the family grave.  

Obviously, some cremation and funeral customs are very detailed. We can custom-tailor your loved one’s cremation Mesa to fit your budget and beliefs. At Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, our caring staff is glad to answer any questions you might have about this process.