Funeral procession
[1][2] In earlier times the deceased was typically carried by male family members on a bier or in a coffin to the final resting place.
[7] Contrary to western traditions, the procession leaves as soon as possible after death and mourners chant the name of god en route to the crematorium.
[3] The son leading the procession carries a fire pot when he leaves the house, which is used to light the funeral pyre.
[7][3] The procession ends at Manikarnikā, where the body is dipped in the Ganges River, then sprinkled with sandalwood oil and covered with garlands of flowers before being cremated.
[2] No large procession takes place, but rather the male family members carry the coffin from the home to the hearse and then follow in cars to the crematorium.
[2] The chief mourner and male family members will flip the switch to light the cremator after the funeral ceremony takes place.
[2] In the Islam religion, the funeral procession is a virtuous act that typically involves a large amount of participation from other Muslims.
Muslims believe that by following the funeral procession, praying over the body, and attending the burial one may receive quīrāts (rewards) to put them in good favor with Allah.
[10] Funeral processions of prominent figures in the Islamic society would attract large crowds because many people would want to honor the deceased.
In some cases, the governor may insist on leading the funeral procession for men of high prominence even if this is against the wishes of the family of the deceased.
One antiphon that has been used in funeral processions for a very long time is called In Paradisum: May the angels lead you into paradise may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city,
[4] The order in which the procession proceeds is first those carrying the lanterns, then the flowers, then birds which are released to bring merit to the deceased, the incense burners, the memorial tablet, and then the coffin.
Funeral processions were extremely prominent during the Meiji era and part of the reason for ridding of them was to move away from the elaborateness of that time period and into more simplistic practices.
[4] As funeral practices moved away from the procession, kokubetsu-shiki (home farewell ceremonies) began to take their place.
During his funeral procession from Egypt to Canaan (Erets Yisrael - Land of Israel, later "Syria Palestina" circa 135 AD by Hadrian, Roman emperor after a failed rebellion of Judea against the Roman Empire), the group stopped for seven days to cross the Jordan River into the "Promised Land".
