Last rites

Last rites are the religious or spiritual practices performed for a person who is nearing death, or who has died. These rites are significant in many cultures and religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism. The specific practices and rituals can vary widely, but they generally aim to provide comfort, guidance, or purification for the dying or deceased person.

Christianity

In Christianity, the last rites are often referred to as the Sacrament of the Sick or the Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is administered by a priest, who uses oil to anoint the sick person's forehead and hands while saying prayers for their healing and forgiveness. The sacrament may be received more than once, whenever a Christian falls seriously ill or before a major surgery.

In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the last rites in the Roman Catholic Church also typically include the Sacrament of Penance (or confession), the Eucharist (also known as Viaticum when given to a dying person), and the Apostolic Pardon.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, the last rites are known as Antyesti or Antima Sanskar, which means "last sacrifice" or "last sacred rites". These rites are performed after death and include a cremation ceremony, followed by the dispersal of the ashes in a sacred body of water.

Islam

In Islam, the last rites are referred to as Janazah. These rites include a specific prayer (Salat al-Janazah) and the burial of the body, which should ideally take place as soon as possible after death.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, the last rites can vary widely depending on the specific tradition or culture. However, they often involve chanting or reading from Buddhist scriptures, and may also include meditation or other practices intended to help the dying person achieve a peaceful state of mind.

Judaism

In Judaism, the last rites include a ritual known as Tahara, which involves washing and purifying the body, and the saying of prayers. This is followed by burial, which should ideally take place as soon as possible after death.

See also

• Death rite
• Funeral
• Mortality and religion