Buddhism originated in North West India some 2,500 years ago, with the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha (the Awakened One). His teaching, or Dharma, then spread from its Indian home throughout Asia, and Buddhist civilisations were established in China, Tibet, Japan and East Asia generally.
Many Buddhists in the UK come from families with ethnic links to one of these traditional Buddhist countries (e.g. Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, China). However, in the last hundred years or so Buddhism has gradually established itself in the West, taking a number of different forms. Consequently there are equally as many British people with no family background in Buddhism, who have adopted Buddhism as adults, and increasingly their children who have grown up as Buddhists in a Western milieu.
The essential teachings of the Buddha are often presented in the following words:-
‘To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.’
In Buddhism old age, illness and death are acknowledged to be inherent in life itself, so Buddhists will generally appreciate frankness about diagnosis, the effects of treatment and prognosis.
Because awareness is thought to be important in Buddhist practice, and especially so around the dying process, many Buddhists will be concerned to ensure that pain relief does not leave them completely disconnected from what is happening to them. It is therefore prudent to discuss thoroughly the range of possible pain relief options being offered, especially if the drugs are likely to cause excessive drowsiness or confusion.
Death and dying ideally should take place in an atmosphere of peace, calm and sensitivity. There are no special procedures to be undertaken by hospital staff. In some traditions it is thought to be highly beneficial for the dying person to be supported by a teacher or member of the Buddhist community during and immediately after the dying process. As part of this there may be requests for the body to remain undisturbed for a period, before being moved – a minimum of four hours is sometimes quoted.
Some Buddhist traditions say that there should be an interval of at least three-and-a- half days before the body is subject to autopsy, or cremation; also, that the body should not be embalmed (if at all possible).
The Buddhist tradition is very diverse and there is no single funeral service or ritual common to all Buddhists. The great majority of practicing Buddhists will have an existing connection with a group or community who will normally be able to provide a teacher or community member to take the funeral service. For people who are not actively involved with a specific tradition the situation is more complicated. Ideally the deceased will have indicated in advance which Buddhist tradition they feel a connection with—e.g. Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, Pure Land. Based on this preference the Buddhist Society (020 7834 5858) may be able to advise or suggest local contacts who are able to help with organising Buddhist Funeral services.
If there is a Buddhist Chaplain associated with your local hospital or hospice they should be able to provide help and guidance.
The Buddhist Society can provide example funeral ceremonies for the Theravada, Tibetan and Zen traditions.
It is important to be explicit about the kind of funeral you want. Make it clear in your last will and testament that you wish to have a Buddhist funeral, if that is your wish. Up to date contact details for people within your Buddhist community should be provided. Again, if you don’t have such an active connection, be specific about the kind of Buddhism you feel connected with. Include details of any texts or chants that you would like to be recited.
Most Buddhists are cremated, following the example of the Buddha, but this is not invariably the case. Some Buddhist traditions say that at least 4 days should pass before the body is cremated and that embalming should be avoided if at all possible. The general advice is that the body should be left as undisturbed as possible in the interval between death and cremation or burial.
There are no dedicated Buddhist Funeral Directors in the UK. For help in identifying a suitable local Funeral Director:
Funeral director search
www: http://www.funeraldirectorsearch.co.uk/
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
www: http://www.nafd.org.uk/funeral-advice/funeral-arrangements/choose-a-funeral-director.aspx
tel: 0845 230 1343
Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
www: http://www.saif.org.uk/website/public/index_public.html
tel: 0845 230 6777
The Good Funeral Guide
Everything You Need to Know – Everything You Need to Do, by Charles Cowling, Continuum Books, 2010.
Government Guidance to Support the Safe Management of Funerals
Advice on Dying, And Living a Better Life, by HH Dalai Lama
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=12472&MATCH=1
Our Real Home, by Ajahn Chah
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=2405&MATCH=1
Life in Relation to Death, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=3756
Life, Death and After Death, by Lama Yeshe
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=22249
There’s More to Dying Than Death: A Buddhist Perspective, by Shenpen Hookham
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=17031
Zen of Living and Dying: A Practical and Spiritual Guide, by Philip Kapleau Roshi
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=7368
Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=17596
Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death, by Anyen Rinpoche
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=21495
Heart Advice for Death and Dying, by Lama Yeshe
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=19559
Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death, by Joan Halifax
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=19361
Living, Dreaming, Dying: Practical Wisdom from the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Rob Nairn
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10933
Joy Hidden in Sorrow: The Way Beyond Fear, by Ayya Medhanandi
www: http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=10147&MATCH=1
Funeral director search
www: http://www.funeraldirectorsearch.co.uk/
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
www: http://www.nafd.org.uk/funeral-advice/funeral-arrangements/choose-a-funeral-director.aspx
tel: 0845 230 1343
Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
www: http://www.saif.org.uk/website/public/index_public.html
tel: Telephone: 0845 230 6777
