Plan a Funeral: A Family Exercise

When the time comes to plan a funeral, you may feel helpless at the multitude of decisions you make. We question what we want to leave and bring to life around us and we hope that our choices will provide the support we need. Some decisions incur additional costs like a funeral carriage; others involve provisions that may create discomfort, even opposition. To talk about it will deepen your reflection, will shed light on the reasons for your choices and will reveal the essential thing to do. Since there is no second chance in this kind of event, it is advisable to take the time to look at the family which best corresponds to the needs expressed.

The hearse and vehicle for the family

For those who wish to go from the funeral parlour to the church and from the church to the cemetery, a hearse is to be expected for the deceased. Moreover, some families prefer to be together in the same vehicle to make this journey and will opt for a car for this purpose. The procession is a ritual that illustrates the last physical passage of the deceased surrounded by his relatives in the public square. In certain circumstances, it is possible to request that the procession pass before the residence of the deceased or any other significant place. And if you want to give the deceased a royal and dignified farewell, a funeral carriage also might be considered.

Burial

The burial of the body remains the choice of several. Having an opportunity to gather on the grave of the loved one is an important aspect for some. Choosing the gravestone and engraving an epitaph there are also gestures that allow one to express his attachment to the deceased and to testify of his passage on earth. Although this stage is demanding, it offers the possibility of accompanying the loved one to his last home.

Asian Weddings: The Breakdown of the Ceremony!

Marriage is part of one of the rites of passage in Asian customs. This is the most important of all and it is in this capacity that it is most often celebrated with great pomp. Young girls are married between the ages of 19 and 26 and men are married on average at the age of 26 as well. 

The wedding day

The wedding day is also punctuated by many rites that must be respected at the risk of compromising the longevity of the marriage. The latter begins by the arrival of the groom, on horseback or elephant or in a luxury car (for Asian weddings in UK, they usually go on carriage or even horseback). He waits for the bride to pass a garland of flowers around her neck. The priest then performs the rituals or "mandap" in the presence of the spouses and their parents. The latter take place in the following manner:

•    A prayer is first dedicated to Ganesh, the god of luck and wisdom.
•    The hands of the spouses are united but the latter are separated by a sheet and cannot yet see themselves.
•    A paste made of sugar of cane and cumin with positive virtues is placed on their heads before the cloth is dropped.
•    The groom will tie a rope made in herbs and braided around the size of the bride to support her in her new responsibilities.
•    He then passes two gold necklaces around his neck, symbols of commitment, protection and security he offers to the bride.
•    The scarves of the two married are knotted together to symbolize the longevity of their union.
•    The spouses each send the rice and then 7 times around the sacred fire to conclude the ceremony.

After the ceremony, both the bride and groom leave the venue in a horse driven carriage (for most cases of Asian weddings in UK) or luxurious car.