How To Follow Hindu Funeral Ritual In Usa

You should consult someone at the local place of worship.

 

@SuiDhaaga even within Hindus, rituals vary widely. You should talk to someone elder in your family for ritual information.

 

Hi SD,

Sorry, you are going through this alone. Hope you can get some friends to help when the need arises.
Not sure where you are located, but funerals in us cost anywhere from 6000$ and up.. Please check your area for the prices.

 

Here just the priest cost starts at $5000 plus at the min. Can go upto $20k. Extra $$$ for the funeral home (priest not included). Im thinking $20 to $30k would cover it all. But then my state is expensive. And you can sit with your dad and ask him for his wishes. Thats the best way to plan since you are anyways planning for him.

 

Here is a list of things you need to figure out:

1) Which priest will be available to recite at the time of lighting the pyre and what are the things needed to perform the ritual? The priest you talk will tell you what are the things needed and some of them may be willing to get those items themselves. He should be a person who is willing to do that with a short notice. Your best bet is your local temple, if any.

2) Some states have procedures and hold the remains for 24-48 hours to ensure that there are no foul play on any death. This will cost money and they will deliver the remains either at the funeral home or at your home depending on what you choose.

3) You need to schedule a funeral home now itself ahead and find out the cost associated with it.

4) The priest might prefer to perform rituals on 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th day after death and if you prefer to do all of that, you may have to pay him to do that on all 5 days. After 13th, the soul is assumed to have left. These are lengthy recitations and will involve sometimes giving away some clothes, silver vessels, umbrella and many more. It is best if you consult someone locally who is familiar with hindu rituals.