Hindu last rites

[sharvaris]

Why only son can perform last rites for parents ?

[rcscwc]

In every society, across the globe, women did not participate in actual last rites. Since males only were there, who else than the son? Or any other blood relation?

[Equinox]

Vannakkam

A daughter or female relative CAN definitely do the last rites, especially if she's the only child to her parents, provided there are no closer male relatives before her. But certain rituals are cut short if it's a female performing the last rites. The male is always preferred, for example; the son or brother, because he is the heir of the dead person. He represents the family and carries on the name. A daughter or female relative becomes part of a her husband's family the moment she is married.

Besides, women can never wear the sacred thread, and some ceremonies and rituals after the funeral requires the sacred thread to be worn by the person who performed the last rites. If it's a female, the rituals that require the sacred thread are omitted out. So you won't get a complete ceremony. Hindus in general are a patrilineal society, and this is evident in the elaborate funeral ceremonies as well.

To add to that, some ceremonies require the daughter in-law to assist her husband. If it's a daughter performing, it would be weird to have a son in-law playing the role of the daughter in-law and assisting since he represents a different family.

Women are not supposed to attend the cremation ceremony too. I wonder if the rules are more relaxed now.



Aum Namah Shivaya

[sharvaris]

if son is there but not availbale due to some reason, can any one else may be very close male friend or male relative perform last rites