Burial Prayer
At the burial site — when lowering the coffin and placing it in the earth
Meaning
The burial rite is the final ceremony of the funeral, when the coffin is lowered into the grave. It is the moment of permanent parting; the prayer expresses deep affection and asks that the departed find peace in the next world.
Offering preparation
Incense, candles, white flowers, wine, betel and areca, rice, salt, votive paper. The first shovelful of earth is cast by the eldest son. Gold paper money is dropped into the grave per custom.
Content
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)
We respectfully bow to the spirit of: ..........................................
Today is the .......... day of the .......... month, year ..........
The descendants and kin sincerely report:
The burial hour has come; we ask to lower the coffin and place the remains of .......... in their thousand-year resting place at ..........................................
We respectfully bow to the spirit:
Please rest peacefully in this place.
Bless the descendants with health and peace.
Bear witness to the descendants' filial heart.
We respectfully ask the Buddhas and the deities to bless the spirit's liberation and a swift rebirth in the Pure Land.
Namo Amitābha Buddha! (3 times)