Upon death taking place

When it is ascertained that life has departed from the body, the son or person who inherits the property of the parent should take a bath. The chief mourner or KARTA in the case of the father it is the elder son and in the mother's case it is usually the youngest son. Daughters may be appointed by the dying person to perform their rites.

When a person is pronounced dead by the doctor, one needs to obtain the death certificate from the appropriate authorities.

Contact the priest and a funeral director and make arrangements for collecting the body and booking the crematorium. Since the coffin is to be burned, it is prudent to get the cheapest and most simple coffin available. No one will be in the mood to discuss the price of the coffin but one should not pay more than necessary. Understandably, the price varies from company to company.

Some funeral directors will allow the body to be taken back to the home for the final rites. This of course is the preferable way and should be discussed beforehand.

Preparing the body

The funeral directors then collect the corpse and take it for washing and dressing. Most funeral directors will accommodate the family who wishes to wash the body themselves. The family members who can, should assist in this service and not leave it to strangers to do it. Close relatives rub oil and seeka (bath powder) on the head of the dead person before it is bathed. If the condition of the body permits, and the family desire it — it can be given a bath with abishegam materials — milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sandal wood paste etc. Males and widows should be dressed in white. Married women and girls should be dressed in coloured garments orange, yellow or red. The big toes are tied together with a piece of string. Place the hands with the two thumbs tied together on the chest as if he or she is doing a namaskar. The whole procedure should be done without commotion and weeping.

After the body has been dressed up, it should be placed for viewing in the coffin. For men and widows either vibuti or chandanam is used to decorate the forehead. For females the turmeric powder and kumkumam are used. A simple garland of flowers and tulasi leaves should be worn around its neck.