Rethinking Funeral Rituals: Time to Break Free from Food-Obsessed Customs

Funeral customs in our society often focus on food rather than remembering the deceased. It's time to rethink these outdated rituals and honor the departed with prayers and respect instead of food.

The Focus on Food at Funerals

When someone passes away, it's common for food to become the main focus. The sounds of spoons scraping against the large cooking pot are heard before the body is even laid to rest. The mourning cries of family members are drowned out by the clatter of dishes and the loud chatter about the food. "There's not enough meat in the rice," people complain, or, "When someone else gave bread, why couldn’t they put in more meat?"

The Shift in Priorities

The person who has passed away is no longer here, but why is it that at the funeral, people are more interested in the food than in remembering the deceased? It's a sad reality, one that has become part of our culture. We need to ask ourselves, is this really the best way to honor someone who has passed?

Offering Charity, Not Just Food

Of course, it's perfectly fine to offer food or give in charity, but we need to rethink how we treat death. Why do we feel the need to go to a funeral and think, "I hope there's food there"? Shouldn’t we be more concerned with the memory of the person, offering prayers for their soul, and supporting their loved ones?

Thinking Beyond the Funeral Meal

And it's not just about those who are close by. Even those who come from far away should be mindful that if they're really hungry, they can go to a restaurant instead of expecting food at the funeral. It's important to break free from these outdated customs. We need to focus on what truly matters: honoring the deceased, offering prayers for them, and providing support to the grieving family.

A Call for Change

It's time to change our mindset. When someone dies, the focus should be on the person, not on the food. The old customs of serving large meals during funerals can be stopped. Let’s come together to honor the person who has passed, rather than just indulging in food.

Ending Food-Related Rituals

Let’s stand together and end these food-related rituals during funerals. Share this article with others to spread awareness!

Written by:
Abdul Waheed Goraya
Sultani, Rasul Nagri
+92 3007415719