New Delhi: While death is the ultimate truth, the ways in which people handle the departed vary across cultures. In numerous Western societies, funeral rites typically entail solemn ceremonies and burials, emphasizing the irrevocability of death. In contrast, certain Eastern cultures, influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism, may adopt cremation as a pathway to spiritual liberation and rebirth.
Indigenous communities often incorporate nature into their burial practices, returning the deceased to the earth in a manner that fosters a connection between the living and the natural world.
Delving further into this subject, Minakshi Dewan, in her latest book, elucidates the beliefs, rituals, and practices associated with the final rites of individuals.
Published by HarperCollins India, “The Final Farewell: Understanding the Last Rites and Rituals of India’s Major Faiths” by Minakshi Dewan is set to release on 21 December on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online platform for launching non-fiction books.
The book explores the practices of Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and numerous indigenous tribes, addressing the misogyny, misinformation, and caste-based discrimination that afflict India’s approach to death rites.
Additionally, Dewan unveils hidden realities and dichotomies within Indian society, including the economic costs involved, environmental impacts, and the hiring of professional mourners to lament at funerals.
Acknowledging that the book was inspired by her firsthand role as the chief mourner during her father’s final rites, Dewan expressed, “The book demystifies end-of-life rituals while delving deeper into the meanings and interpretations through my insightful conversations with many actors involved in the last journey. Much of what was said has culminated in the numerous narratives presented in the book.”
“An important book written with deep understanding and sensitivity, and drawing from the experiences of those who know so much about loss and the many ways in which we say that most difficult goodbye,” commented Prerna Gill, commissioning editor at HarperCollins India.
The author holds a PhD in social medicine and community health from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a master’s degree in social work from TISS Mumbai. Specialising in health, gender, and community mobilisation with grassroots and international development organisations, her writings have been featured in several Indian and international publications, including the Deccan Herald, The Telegraph, and Devex, among others.
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