R3SPECT FUNERALS

Atman is another concept in Hinduism, which refers to the immortal aspect or spirit of the self, and is separate from the body and mind of an individual. Two crucial guiding principles in Hinduism which guide individuals’ actions and beliefs are karma and reincarnation, in which ideas of reincarnation are born from the concept of Atman. When death occurs, the atman or the soul exits the physical body and will be reincarnated in a new body. What one reincarnates as in the next life depends very much on the karma created in the present life and the individual can either advance or move down the hierarchy. Hindus believe that one can be reborn as any form - as a human, a plant, an animal or an insect. According to Raj (2008), it is a belief in Hinduism that all humans are in a samsara cycle, which refers to the continual cycle of life and rebirth if one has inadequate karma to achieve moksha. Moksha is commonly regarded as a form of salvation and liberation and is pursued as the ultimate goal in life by Hindus.

Contrary to the belief in reincarnation of the soul after death, Hindus also believe in the existence of afterlife. Many followers believe that when one dies, the soul will receive judgment and be sent to either heaven or hell, places for the dead. This is disparate from the idea of reincarnation where one transits into another physical body after death.

Upon death, mantras are chanted in attempts to revive the dead and when all else fails, preparations for funeral rites will be under way .