Antyeshti (last rites) (अन्त्येष्टि)

This is the sixteenth of the sixteen samskaras, the life-cycle ceremonies of Hindu tradition. It is performed at death.

What it is

The funeral rites. The body is bathed and cremated, usually within a day, with prayers and the lighting of the pyre by the eldest son or a close male relative in many families; the ashes (asthi) are immersed in a sacred river such as the Ganga. Mourning lasts about thirteen days, and the family holds ceremonies for the departed. Customs vary with the community; the dead of some communities are buried.

What is usually done

A bath, cremation, the immersion of the ashes, a period of mourning and the thirteenth-day ceremony.

Why it matters to families

The samskaras mark the stages of a life and bring the family and community together at each of them. Families keep as many as suit their tradition and their circumstances. Many keep the ceremonies that remain popular (naming, first food, first haircut, the thread, wedding and last rites) and treat the rest as a prayer of blessing.

See the full list of sixteen.

Read next

• Garbhadhana (गर्भाधान)
• Vivaha (wedding) (विवाह)

These pages describe common practice in plain words. Customs differ by region, community and family, and your own family's tradition and a priest of your community come first. Dates of auspicious times change every year: ask a priest or use a trusted panchang. Nothing here promises any result.