Customs to be observed at the Home

If the body is brought back to the home it should be brought in head-first and placed on the floor with its head to the South. While the family members and friends sit around the coffin Thevaram or Divya prabandham or bhajans can be sung without musical accompaniment. It can be kept at home for as long as the family desire about an hour or so to allow for people to gather. Before the coffin is removed, the ladies should pay their last respects first by placing rice at or near the mouth. The relatives follow suit followed by friends. Women are not advised to perform this ceremony at the crematorium. The names of deceased family's favourite Gods should be recited continuously and throughout.

Before the coffin is removed a rice ball (Pinda) is offered at the place where the person died or where the coffin has been. The coffin is taken out of the house with the legs first. As it is taken out of the house another rice ball is offered on the threshold

The coffin is placed in the hearse and driven to the crematorium. Two persons should accompany the body; the Karta who performs the rites and one other who could be an elder in the family. The Karta should carry the earthen pot with the fire in it.

Those that remain at home will thoroughly clean the house and wash the floors etc. All them take a bath after rinsing the clothes they were wearing and other things used. Discard the bed, mat or any other spread on which the body was lying.