Monday, November 16, 2009

Death doesnt frighten but consequent expenses do!

Birth and death are natural events. But, births are celebrated and deaths make the affected families mourn! Good many deaths follow expensive and protracted illnesses. Post death expenses are high but ill affordable after exhausting family resources on treatment of preceding illnesses. Even the sick usually elderly persons suffer from doubts about the honourable disposal and post death expensive ceremonies of theirs. Ensuring that one will be honourably disposed and the customary ceremonies performed is thus imperative. To avoid such doubts, one can himself provide for such reituals himself. Hindus may have to spend about twenty thousand rupees in India on the first day of ones death and about 75,000 rupees by the time all the necessary ceremonies until the eleventh day are duly perfomed. Some desire that their aches are immersed in the Holy Ganga at Prayaga, Varanasi and Gaya. They would make expenses sore beyond a lakh of rupees totally. This is the scenario of the middle class families who both have values as well as false values. I have been thinking as to how to avoid mental trauma as I am myself 75 years old!
Hindus say there are about forty SAMSKARAS from birth to death. The terminal SAMSKARA is the one performed after death.
In this context, I discussed with experienced persons and purohits (usually Brahmins who are trained in these matters) and worked out a much more economic solution. This way, everything like cremation, immersion of ashes at the three holy places into the holy waters of Ganga and feeding 10 poor persons not only at the conclusion of eleven days after death but every anniversary thereof at Varanasi. All this at the present may cost Rs.11,000/ for those living in India and about $1,000/ for NRIs. Even videos of the occasion in proof of actual performance of these ceremonies can be provided or online broadcast of the event enabling the survivors of the deceased to have live view of the same is possible. What more satisfying solution there can be than this at a fraction of the expenses cited in the beginning. I invite comments and advices please!

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