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I watched, humbled by the the solemnity of the mourners filing past a flaming pyre as the soul of a lifeless body departed for paradise.
Remains were scattered in the flowing muddy water amid swirling petals and scraps of yellow fabric.
The end.
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My piece was inspired by an incident I witnessed whilst walking along a river bank in Nepal. It seemed disrespectful to take photographs at the time, so I took this one after the funeral was over.
;
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Thanks to Sammi Cox for hosting the Weekend Writing Prompt
I wish we still employed the funeral pyre- I wonder if I could put that in my will?
Why not? It’s worth a try.
Some cultures and religions have this way of saying goodbye.
Indeed they do.
👍🏼🙏🏼
Nepalis and hindu Indians cremate their dead.
So I learned, Punam.
👍🏼
A wonderful rendition of the ceremony Keith 🩷
Thank you, Ange.
I am very glad you were so respectful and waited to take a picture later.
Don’t put your final instructions in your will, it isn’t read and filed until later, have a separate document for your family for the immediate wishes you have, such as about your funeral.
You make a very good point, Mimi.
As far as I am concerned, all burials should be thus – return our ashes to the earth or wherever they fly to. Nicely done!
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I so agree, Dale.
And, let’s face it, there is a ridiculous expense incurred for all this nonsense.
Anta means the end in Sanskrit/Hindi. Humbling post. In the end, we all return to ashes.
I shall remenber that. Thank you, Balaka.
This took me back to the oldest city in the world, Benaras or Varanasi, where the funeral pyre burns non-stop. Mythology says if ever the pyres stop burning in Benaras, the world will come to Anta/an end.
What a humbling post. In the Hindu culture, this is how a funeral is conducted.
Though I was born a Hindu, I always tell me family to bury me, where the ecosystem can feed off my physical remains. A return to the earth.
Wonderful to be back on your blog, dear Keith.
Look forward to more.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving such an interesting comment, Natasha. I’m so glad you’re back with us again.