Losing a loved one can be a very difficult and trying time for the family. We are here to help and support you during this time. There are many ceremonies that can be performed to offer blessings and prayers for the departed to help them progress on their onward journey to Krishna. There are also ceremonies that can be done every year to help create auspiciousness for the departed soul and also assist in bereavement for the family.
If you’ve lost a loved one, we will help you all the way in the process and ceremonies that need to be performed.
Ceremonies available to book
The final samskara is the Antyeshti or the last rites. Out of necessity, in the west temple priests perform funeral services in conjunction with the local system for handling the deceased.
Upon the death of an individual, the family will call a funeral home to prepare the body as well as a Hindu priest to perform the last rites. During the funeral, family members and friends come to a funeral home or chapel. Afterwards the body is taken to a crematorium where the body is committed to the fire.
In conjunction with the legalities and formalities for cremation in the UK, the ceremony is performed with the coffin at home. The Temple priest will perform the ceremony at home and also at the crematorium.
This ceremony is performed after the 11th,12th or 13th day of passing. If the cremation takes place after this time, the ceremony can be done the day after. This ceremony is a purifying process and is performed at home. It comprises of Pinda-daan (offering food to forefathers), tarpan (offering water to forefathers), and worship of Lord Vishnu.
The Garuda Purana explains that the thirteenth day ceremony is the time when the soul leaves it’s physical connection with the family, and hence as a dependent it is our foremost duty and responsibility to work and act for the deliverance of our departed.
The vedic calendar sets 15 days during the year where time is set for expressing love and gratitude to our departed family members by making offerings to help on their onward journey. In this time, joyous celebrations such as weddings are put on hold as remembering the departed takes priority.
Bhagavata katha is the crest jewel of all kathas and vrats! All vows, austerities, sacrifices, and charities reside in the very potent celebration of Bhagavata Katha. “To hear about Kṛṣṇa from Srimad Bhagavatam is greatly righteous activity. And for one who hears about Kṛṣṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is dwelling in everyone’s heart, acts as a best-wishing friend and purifies the devotee who constantly engages in hearing of Him.” – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18. This service can be done as one session presentation or series of sessions as requested. All talks are informative, bite-size (understandable), relevant to today’s life and engaging!