A cultural funeral entails the practises of a specific culture, from anywhere around the world. This will focus on the varied traditions, beliefs and values upheld within that culture and aims to bring the elements into one service to celebrate the person who has passed, in a way which honours their heritage and culture.
We are familiar with the Polish traditions, after conducting many funerals within the community. Our way of working includes the assistance of a Polish national, who acts as a translator where needed, assisting with documents, arrangements and any other requirements, ensuring clarity and cohesion throughout the process.
Znamy polskie tradycje po wielu pogrzebach w gminie. Nasz sposób pracy obejmuje pomoc obywatela polskiego, który w razie potrzeby działa jako tłumacz, pomagając przy dokumentach, uzgodnieniach i wszelkich innych wymaganiach, zapewniając przejrzystość i spójność podczas całego procesu.
Leszek Plaza, telefon bezposredni: 07720248404
In Buddhism, death is recognised as part of the cycle called Samsara. Within this, Buddhists believe that reincarnation of the soul happens after death and this leads the processes of the funeral customs. We understand the importance put on a peaceful death and the processes required to adhere to Buddhist traditions following the person’s passing.
Buddhist funerals are often simple and often organised by family and friends. Buddhists view the body as a shell and view that the spirit of the person who has died will undergo re-birth, usually after 49 days.
Funerals include appropriate readings and tributes and can be facilitated in a crematorium or a burial site, such a green or forest burial ground. We also can source eco-friendly coffins such as shrouds or wicker caskets, which align more closely with an environmentally conscious approach.
Jewish traditions are a vital part of the funeral process, with burial to take place as soon as possible requiring an understanding service to facilitate this. We will work closely with your family to determine the best way to ensure that all the requirements are met and that your cultural beliefs are noted.
We can support in washing and grooming services, source a simple wooden coffin and ensure we have appropriate white shrouds to wrap them in. For any specific requests, please let us know at the time of arrangement so that we can source additional resources where necessary.
We have a great connection with our local Muslim communities and have facilitated religious funerals for many local families.
With burial required within 24 hours (where possible), we can facilitate the washing and dressing for families to undertake themselves or with the support of our team on hand when required. Shrouds can be sourced for your loved one and appropriate transport and a suitable location for the funeral can be found to meet the needs of those who will attend.
We offer donation boxes which can be used for collections at funerals, which can then be safely counted and sent to the chosen charity on behalf of the family. We can also help to source a headstone from local stonemasons, where required, ensuring a suitable and simple memorial for your loved one.
In traditional Sikh funerals, the cremation would be carried out on a funeral pyre, however, with this not readily available in the UK currently, so a family member is often welcome to press the button for the casket to disappear.
Sikh scriptures state that relatives should not indulge in wailing and anguish. Hymns that induce a feeling of detachment are sometimes sung on the way to the crematorium to aid the family in not showing their grief.
Funeral attire includes black head scarves for men and pale or white head scarves for women. During the service, the first line is read from the Holy Book and Ardas, prayers, are said.
After the cremation, guests return to the family home and readings are given and hymns sung, then neighbours and friends make a substantial meal for the bereaved family. Following this, a candle, jot, is burned in the home, made from Ghee (clarified butter) and cotton, which has a sweet smell and cleanses the home. The mourning period lasts between two and five weeks and when the ashes have been returned to the family, these are scattered in running water or on the sea, which we can help facilitate if required.
A Hindu funeral is as much a celebration as a remembrance service, although death is a sad occasion, the traditions call for focussing on the route ahead for the departed soul. For Hindu’s, cremation is preferred and this symbolises the release of the spirit and the flames represent Brahma, the creator.
Family members will pray around the body as soon as possible after death. The body is usually bathed and dressed in white, traditional Indian clothing. If a wife dies before her husband, she is dressed in red bridal clothes. If a woman is a widow, she will be dressed in white or pale colours. After the cremation, the family may have a meal and offer prayers in their home. A priest will visit and purify the house with spices and incense. This is the beginning of the 13-day mourning period when friends will visit and offer their condolences.