Describe a traditional Buddhist funeral ceremony (4)

Buddhists see funerals as a transition from this life to the next, and that death is all part of samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth to which life is bound). In Theravada buddhism, the family gives cloth to the monks/nuns (bhikkus/bhikkunis) to make new robes, and they hold merit-making sessions for the deceased after 3 months and 1 year. In Mahayana buddhism (in Tibet), the deceased is surrounded by wreathes and as they die the name of the buddha is whispered to them. After 49 days of verse reading, a sky burial (where the corpse is cut up and fed to vultures for good kamma) may take place.

JK
Answered by Jack K. Religious Studies tutor

1782 Views

See similar Religious Studies GCSE tutors

Related Religious Studies GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I structure an answer for my GCSE RS paper?


How do I write an introduction to a persuasive essay?


GCSE (General Approach)


What are the 3 main aspects of the human condition in Buddhism?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning