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Buddhist Traditions, and Rituals
FAQs for Buddhist Catholic Families
A: Yes, we can assist with the setup and coordination of multiple services, no matter where—or—when they’re being held.
A: Families will want to bring their own incense and images of Buddha to fit their family’s needs.
A: Yes, we allow for the use of bells and gongs in our facility during Buddhist ceremonies.
A: We will facilitate the setup and cleanup of the chapel. Families are welcome to join us in the set-up process to ensure preferential positioning of religious items and flowers.
A: Because we are the owners of our crematorium, we can set up for a witnessed or unwitnessed cremation immediately following the funeral service. This is performed upon the family’s request and should be defined in the planning period.
FAQs for Attendees of a Buddhist Service
A: Because Buddhist funerals are typically held at a monastery or family home, the funeral service at the Chapel of the Angels might look a little bit different to what you might have seen upon researching. You can expect monks to deliver a sermon, recite sutras, and chant in honor of the person’s life who is being celebrated. These are typically accompanied by the playing of a gong, bells, or chimes.
There is also the chance that you might see people who you know to be perfectly healthy using walking sticks on the day of the funeral ceremony. This is done to symbolize the stress of the loved one’s passing and the individual’s need for support.
After the ceremony, mourners typically proceed to the cremation of the body, which has been placed in a plain coffin for this purpose. There might be a processional and additional chanting, depending on the family’s preferences.
A: A Buddhist funeral service typically lasts between 45 and 75 minutes. It varies depending on the funeral program and the wishes of the loved one’s family.
A: It’s typically recommended for you to wear modest, unadorned black or dark clothing. Do not be alarmed or feel out of place if you see people dressed in white when you arrive—that’s traditionally done by the family of the deceased.
A: You can show the most respect for the deceased friend or family member by quietly observing and following the cues of the monks and the other celebrants around you. Do not feel pressured to chant if you do not know the words. Sit down and stand up as the others around you do so. Use the ceremony as a time to be quiet and reflective on the celebrated person’s life, and your own.
A: Inconspicuous is key. You are there to honor the life and passing of your friend or family member, and the major theme of Buddhist funerary tradition is simplicity. Wearing bright, flashy clothes or jewelry is absolutely advised against, as well as speaking loudly or out of turn.
The Smith family is a very caring family to the many people that they help through trouble times.