Death is an inevitable phenomenon, ensuing liberation from the earthly shackles. And disposal of the body forms the basis of the last rites in any given faith, and is often a source of astonishment for many. After all, not a lot of us are acquainted with the formalities that go into the myriad rituals devised exclusively for the departed.

In Christianity…
"We require a doctor's certificate to confirm that the person has expired, along with the cause of death as well as a pass that permits the disposal of the body. At the cemetery, the body is washed or sponged and dressed up, " says Mario Fernandes, an undertaker. After the body is placed into the coffin, the attendees perform a mass for the soul, after which the coffin is lowered into the grave. The grave is usually seven-and-a-half-feet long and three feet deep. Even before the body is carried to the cemetery, a priest is called upon to deliver prayers. "A handful of mud is thrown thrice upon the coffin by each of the attendees as a mark of respect," adds Fernandes. The grave is then covered; the funeral is concluded by a prayer and the placing of wreaths.

In Islam...
"I have attended quite a few funerals. The body is taken to the Masjid where it is washed with ordinary tap water. The maulavi then reads out the Namaz. The Janaaza or funeral process then goes to the cemetery. Upon reaching the grave, a wooden plank is placed at its bottom and the body is lowered upon it," explains Sameer Memmon, a shopkeeper. The area around the grave is then enclosed with a mammoth black sheet and at will, some individuals prefer to remain out of the enclosure. The maulavi reads another prayer after which the black sheet is taken off. A cane sheet or chataai is then positioned upon the body and those attending throw a handful of mud on it.

In Hinduism…
"We believe death results in the soul's transition to the next destination. The Law of the Last Thought in the Bhagvad Gita, states that what one thinks at the time of death induces one to attain exactly that in the next birth. Therefore, all rituals are based on this understanding," elucidates Chaitanya Charan Das, a Vedic spiritual mentor. Holy water from the Ganga is put into the dying person's mouth along with Tulsi leaves, after which the seventh chapter of the Bhagwad Gita is recited. "In the Vedic tradition, it is believed that the soul is extremely fond of the body. Cremation makes sure that the soul transcends the material world. A male member, of the family, preferably the son, then lights the pyre," adds he. According to him, five ingredients, known as Panch Gavya, go into the pyre. "The ashes are then placed in an earthen pot and offered to a holy river," he concludes.

In Zoroastrianism…
"We do not bury or cremate the dead because that pollutes the environment. We worship nature and hence the custom of leaving the body in the Tower of Silence, which is an open place, allowing the sunrays to decompose the body. After some time, the bones are put in the Bhandar, a place at the centre of the Tower of Silence," says Tehmasp Bharucha, the trustee and secretary of Pune Parsee Panchayat.
The sun is believed to destroy the evil elements upon the body. "In cities like Chennai and Delhi (where there is no tower of silence), the deceased are however buried," he says. Prayers and ceremonies are performed during the four days that follow the disposal. Jahsarnu and Saroshnu Patru are the common prayers.