The funeral rites performed for the departed souls of those near and dear to us are the most important rituals as they help the deceased to attain a peaceful transmigration of the soul and to reach the holy feet of God. Preparations nearer to Death When a person is nearer to death, the family members should inform the priest (Purohit/Temples that offer the priest services to perform death rites) A few spoons of Ganges water or Thulasi water are dropped in the mouth either at time of death or just after the death. After Death Preparations The body must be placed on a mat, head facing South. The holy names of God such as 'Narayana' 'Govinda' or 'Namasivaya' is to be recited three times in the right ear of the deceased. This should be done by the son or by an elderly person in the family. The mouth and the eyes of the deceased must be closed by hands. The toes must be tied with a piece of string bringing the two legs together. The hands must be placed with the two thumbs tied together on the chest. If Thulasi ( Basil) is available, a small bunch is to be placed below the head next to the right ear. The body must be covered upto the neck with a white cloth for males and widows. If the deceased is female (married or unmarried), an orange, yellow or red cloth is to be used. A sesame (Til oil or Nallennai) oil lamp (with one wick only) and single Agarbathi are kept near the corpse. A photograph of the deceased may be placed just above the head on the floor. Some families also keep the photo of the deceased member's favourite deity or the family deity. When it is ascertained that soul has departed from the body the son or the designated member of the family is to be designated as the 'Kartha' or the chief mourner who performs the death rites.

Kalasa Pooja (Prayers to the Holy Pot) The death rites always begin with Kalasa Pooja. The 'Kartha' or the chief mourner will bathe and will remain in wet clothes. The priest will offer him the 'Poonool' (Holy thread) and 'Pavithram' to the 'Kartha' who performs the last rites for the deceased. When the pooja ends, the priest will leave a small quantity of water in the pot which will be used when the body of the deceased is bathed.

The body will be prepared before performing the 'Pretham' or 'Shanthi' Homam. At the end of the homam, the Agni ignited will be transferred to the mud pot which will be taken to the crematorium. The 'Shanthi Homam' is performed to pacify the soul and to keep it in peace.

Before cremating the body, the following 10 items are to be given as charity. Cow (Gho) , a piece of land (Bhoomi), Seasame seeds(Ellu or Til), a material (Vasthram), Grains (Dhanyam), Gold (Swarnam), Silver (Rajatha), Ghee (Ajyam), Sandalwood (Santhana Kattai), Brasspot with water (Udakumbam). Instaed of performing the above 'Dasa Dhanam', 11 coins are used and 'Dasa Dhana Manthra Paatanam' (Recitation of Manthras) is recited.

Preparing the water pots During olden days the relatives used to bathe the deceased by bringing water from the nearby rivers or streams. Now the water is taken from the house itself and kept in a pot. The priest brings the holy water from the Temple upon request, which is used along with Ganges water. The water left behind in the pot after the 'Kalasa Pooja' is also used to bathe the deceased. The close relatives particularly the siblings of the deceased also will bring the water and keep their pots aside. Bathing the deceased According to the scriptures, the 'Kartha' and close relatives are supposed to rub oil on the head and wash it with herbal powder. It can be also bathed with Draviyum materials. (Aromatic and herbal powders). Dressing up the deceased The body of a female deceased should be washed and clothed by females and the males will do it, if the deceased is a male. A new or favourite attire of the deceased is used to dress him or her and the deceased is then garlanded before being placed for viewing in the casket. For men and widows either 'vibhuthi' or 'chandanam' is used to decorate the forehead. For a sumangali, turmeric powder and 'Kumkumum ' are used to adorn the face. Betel leaf and nut are placed next to the deceased on the right side. Some families will tie a few coins and fruits in a new piece of cloth and will place it next to the deceased.

Preparing the water pots During olden days the relatives used to bathe the body by bringing water from the nearby rivers or streams. Now the water is taken from the house itself and kept in a pot. The priest will bring the holy water from the Temple upon request, which will be used along with Ganges water. The water left behind in the pot after the 'Kalasa Pooja' will be also used to bathe the body. The close relatives particularly the siblings of the deceased also will bring the water and keep their pots aside. Bathing the Body According to the scriptures, the 'Kartha' and close relatives are supposed to rub oil on the head and wash it with herbal powder. It can be also bathed with Draviyum materials. (Aromatic and herbal powders). Thevaram will be sung throughout if 'Thevaram Rendition Group' is available. Otherwise the priest will recite Thevaram and Sivapuranam. 'Panchaksharam' (Namasivaya) and 'Ashtaksharam' (Ohm Namo Narayanaya) will be recited. Deepam, Dhoopam and Aarthi (Camphor Lighting) will be performed. The relatives will be asked to join the 'Mass Prayers" (Kootu Prarthanai). The relatives and friends will offer the garlands and flowers at the feet of the deceased. New vasthrams (Kodis) will be also offered to the deceased. Before the casket moves from the house, the ladies should pay their last respect by placing rice at or near the mouth ('Vaaikkarisi' in Tamil ) followed by the relatives and friends. This act symbolises a safe journey of the departed soul.

The casket will be placed in the vehicle by reciting the name of 'Govinda', accompanied by the 'Saghu Natham' (Blowing the Conch). The casket will be finally is then removed out of the house, with the legs moving out first. After the casket is placed in the vehicle, the grandsons of the deceased go around the van with the 'Nei Pantham. "Pantham" is a stick with a bundle of cloth wrapped around the top and soaked in ghee or oil and lit. The "Pantham" is lit up during death signifying the dark path which is to be lighted up for the soul to travel. Following the grandsons, the relatives will go around three times and offer 'Namaskarams' to the deceased.

The casket placed in the van will then leave for the crematorium. Two persons should accompany the casket; the person who performs the rites and one other who could be an elderly member in the family. The person who performs the rites should carry the earthen pot with the fire in it.

Those that remain at home will clean the house up to the main entrance. Must rinse all their clothes that were worn and then must bathe. It is a practice to discard the mat or any other spread on which the body was lying.

The casket will be placed in the Service Hall. It is preferable to keep the casket in such a way that the feet face the incineration chamber. After placing the body on the platform, the person who conducts the rites walks around the body, anti- clockwise three times, usually starting at the leg point followed by close relatives. A few grains of rice, or coins or flowers are placed at the mouth by the relatives especially by those who are paying the last respect at the crematorium. Everyone will be asked to see the face before the funeral rites begin.

Thevaram and Sivapuranam will be recited by the priest. After the prayers are recited, the 'Kartha' who performs the rites will get ready by carrying a clay pot of water on his left shoulder and the 'Agni Satti' (Mud pot with the fire) in his right hand. He will be followed by the next of kin. Both of them go around the casket anti-clockwise three times. When the 'Kartha' carrying the pot reaches the side of the head, he stops for a second or two, and the relative at the back hits the pot with a sharp knife to make a hole so that water flows out from the hole, signifying life is leaving its vessel. At the end of three rounds, he stands at the head of the body facing away from the body, drops the pot in front of him and then without turning to face the body, he places the hot wooden stick or Kolli (mostly the sandal wood ) to the body.

The 'Kartha' will remove his 'Poonool" (Sacred Thread) and 'Pavithram' worn during the 'Kalasa Pooja' performed in the beginning of the death rites ceremony (Karma Arambam) The close relatives and friends will go to the viewing window. The others will disperse quietly at this stage. Whatever things that were brought from the home should be left behind or discarded, and are not to be taken back home.

The 'Kartha' and close relatives must wash their feet and enter the house. The photo of the deceased will be kept and water and coconut water (Ilaneer ) will be kept in front of the photo for 16 days. A small cup with Vibuthi will be also placed next to the photo. The dhoti must be worn by the 'Kartha' (the chief mourner) for the funeral must be safely and worn till the 16th day rituals. In some houses, an oil lamp is lit and kept burning until the 16th day. The water in the pot is changed daily. This is done with the belief that the spirits of the dead person will come round to visit.