The Body Should Be Disposed Of Quiz

Answer: Cremation on a funeral pyre

Hindus are normally cremated, traditionally on an open air funeral pyre. Fire is seen as sacred in Hinduism and is a symbol of purity. Hindus believe that the atman (self) of the person who has died will be reincarnated, or will reach moksha (enlightenment).

The fire represents the means by which the body is transferred to the heavenly plane, where a new body is created. In countries where open pyres are not permitted, Hindus would usually be cremated in normal crematoria. Special arrangements can sometimes be made to accommodate Hindu traditions.

For example, traditionally the eldest son would light the funeral pyre, so some crematoria allow the eldest son to press the button which controls the furnace.

Answer: The body is left on a mountaintop exposed to the elements.

Sky burial is part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The body is placed on a mountaintop to decompose or to be eaten by scavenging birds and animals. Buddhists believe that after death the body is nothing but an empty shell, and so there is no need to preserve it. Sky burial is simply the most generous way to dispose of the remains.

Answer: False

Catholics (and other Christian denominations) believe that one day Jesus will return to the earth, and on that day the dead will live again. While some denominations interpret this figuratively, others such as the Catholic church believe in a bodily resurrection.

Originally cremation was not allowed for Catholics, but in 1963 Pope Paul VI decreed it was no longer prohibited. In 2016 instructions, approved by Pope Francis, were issued to clarify that although burial is preferred, cremation is allowed but with the stipulation that the ashes are to be treated in the same way as a corpse - they are to be laid to rest in a sacred place, not kept in the home, divided among relatives, scattered or made into mementos.

Answer: On its side, facing towards Mecca

Traditionally a Muslim would not be buried in a coffin, but would instead be wrapped in a shroud. The grave is dug so that it is perpendicular to the direction of Mecca (known as Qibla). This is the direction Muslims always face when they say their daily prayers.

The body is then laid in the grave on its right hand side so that it is facing towards Mecca. Christians are traditionally buried with their head towards the West and feet towards the East as it is believed that Christ will one day come again from the East and they will be raised from the grave to face him.

Answer: They should be left on the body.

The five articles of faith, or five Ks as they are also known, are worn by all Sikhs as commanded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. They are Kesh (hair), Kacchera (shorts), Kangha (wooden comb), Kada (iron bracelet) and Kirpan (curved sword). Each has a special meaning to Sikhs and is an outward sign of their commitment to the Sikh way of life.

Although the body is normally washed and dressed in clean clothing before cremation, the five articles should remain in place.

Answer: Christianity

Bathing of the dead is a traditional ritual in Judaism, Islam and Hinduism, as well as in Buddhism. In Judaism, this ceremonial cleansing would normally be done by the "Chevra Kadisha", a group of men and women whose role it is to carry out the final rites for the Jewish deceased.

It can either take the form of submersion or water poured over the body. In Islam and Hinduism it is often members of the immediate family or close friends who wash the body. Muslims (like Jews) would use water, but in Hinduism a mixture of mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee and honey would more often be used.

Answer: Ring

The ring is normally placed on the forefinger of the deceased, and is inscribed with the words "I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate". Baha'i teachings recommend that the body should be buried within an hour's travel time of the place of death.

Answer: The last kiss

Towards the end of the funeral service, the mourners are invited forward to the coffin in order say their final goodbye. This often takes the form of a kiss of peace. An icon or cross is normally placed on the chest of the deceased, and mourners would usually kiss either this or the person's forehead or hand.

Answer: Tower of Silence

A Tower of Silence is a circular raised structure built for the purpose of laying out the dead for their remains to be consumed by birds of prey, normally vultures. Zoroastrians believe that after death the body is unclean and therefore contact with the sacred elements of earth and fire should be avoided to prevent contamination. Towers of Silence were once commonly used in Iran and by the Parsi population in India.

However, in Iran Dakhmas have been illegal since the 1970s, and their use in India has become somewhat problematic in recent times, particularly in light of the declining vulture population.

Answer: River Soar, East Midlands

Traditionally Hindus in India would scatter the ashes of their deceased in the River Ganges. However, for Hindus living in other countries, travelling to India for the purposes of scattering ashes can be difficult. It is therefore acceptable for Hindus to scatter the ashes into to another more local river.

There are several locations around the UK where where parts of specific rivers have been designated as scattering spots for Hindus and Sikhs (who follow the same tradition of scattering ashes in a river).

Some of these have even been anointed with water from the Ganges itself. The river Soar is a particular favourite amongst British Hindus, chiefly because of the large Hindu community living in nearby Leicester.