2. Introduction
India as a land of
diverse religions
Major religions which
all of us know about
are Hinduism, Sikhism,
Jainism, Buddhism,
Islam and Christianity
Other minor religions
like Zoroastrianism
Different rites in terms
of funeral practices
10. Hinduism
Traditional Funerary Practices
Unique Antim Sanskar
Out of respect for the dead,
did not not want to leave
the dead for vultures and
other animals
Burials required lots of
land, labour and was
expensive in comparison to
cremation. Everyone who
came would bring some
wood for the fire
Easier, Quicker, Cheaper
Social Trap Dilemma
Body cremated atop a pile
of wood
Leftout ashes and bones
collected and immersed in
13. Zoroastrianism (Parsees of India)
Traditional Funerary Practices
Purity and pollution are central
concerns
Earth, Fire and Water are sacred and
very useful to mankind
In order to avoid their pollution by
contact with putrefying flesh, dead
bodies are not buried, or burnt, or
thrown into seas or rivers
Left to birds of prey
Community Interest is more important
(Resource Dilemmas). Therefore,
antecedent strategies.
Disposed dead by laying them on a
stony or rocky surface, because they
are impenetrable and not prone to
serious pollution
Later, special structures called
‘Dakhma’ or ‘Towers of Silence’
introduced
Ideal for a small community like
14. Main principle is disposing
the dead with respect in the
least harmful and injurious
manner to the living
Fire kept burning in a vase
with fragnant wood near the
corpse before disposing that
destroys invisible germs
Corpse bearers covered up
Use of iron instead of wood
for carrying
Cow’s urine
Towers constructed far
away from cities
Hole in the surface, lime
and phosphorus,
Layers of sand, charcoal
and sandstone for
underground wells
17. Comparison
Issue Hinduism Zoroastrianism
Type of Pro – Environment
Strategies
Consequent Antecedent
Use of Fire Purity Is Pure, therefore shouldn’t
be polluted
Thoughts regarding
Pollution
Chose Cremation over
Burial
Chose hardstone above
everything which is
impenetrable by pollution
Dead or Living More Concerned with the
Soul of the Dead
Considers both Dead and
Living
Aftereffects Not so much care taken.
For eg – Ashes immersed
in water
Layers of charcoal and
sandstone to purify water
seeping over the leftover
and entering the ground
Expenses Expensive for the poor Simple way. Whether poor
or rich
Use of Wood Prime Importance Forbidden
Resistance to Change in Yes Yes
18. Other Environmental Issues Around the Globe
related to Funeral Practices and Ways to
Tackle them
Cemetries in the Sky
Moksha Towers,
Mumbai
Amphitheater for the
Dead: Hong Kong
Hillside Cemeteries
Stacked Cemeteries
of New Orleans
Social Design
