Hindu rites & rituals on ABC Compass tonight August 2 at 6.30pm

Death is the journey we all eventually take, but  how do we carry our loved ones on their final journey? How do we honour them in death? And how do we grieve?

The rites and rituals performed in Australia today are determined by our culture, values and beliefs. In this series, Compass goes behind the scenes of Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant and secular funerals.    We cross over into privileged territory to stand beside closest kin and share their intimate moments, to get a picture of death, as it’s done in 21^st  century Australia.

EP3. HINDU & ITALIAN CATHOLIC:  THIS SUNDAY 3 AUGUST AT 6.30PM (also available on iView for two weeks)

Computer engineer Rajeesh Nagarkar immigrated to Australia 8 years ago.    His parents were visiting from India when his father, Vasant, became gravely ill with a blood disorder.

Rajesh donated his own blood for transfusions to try to keep his father alive, but sadly it was to no avail. His father died in Australia.    Now Rajesh, as the eldest Son, will be solely responsible for his father’s traditional Hindu funeral.

Rajesh’s wife is Japanese, and was raised Buddhist, so for this journey, Rajesh is on his own and a long way from India.

Compass follows Rajesh through every step of the journey: From purifying his father’s body – helped by a friend and instructions printed from the internet! – to the final ceremony performed thirteen days later completing the journey of his father’s spirit to its next life.

Along the way Compass attempts to explain many of the complexities of a traditional Hindu ritual and show how Rajesh is transformed by the emotional responsibility of honouring his father in this way.

Rajesh: “My Father always encouraged me if I wanted to do something … When I was washing his body I was feeling this is my time to repay him…  Before the funeral I was a child, but after the funeral I start feeling a responsible person.”

Every Sunday at 6.30pm ABCTV screens Compass, an engaging program reflecting and exploring faith, belief and values in Australia and around the globe.  Presented by Geraldine Doogue, Compass explores the interface between religion and life as experienced by individuals and communities – including ordinary Australians, public leaders, religious thinkers, ethicists and philosophers.

FAITH AND FUNERALS ”“ Five part Series

Starts: Sunday 20 July 6:30pm on ABC
The rites and rituals performed in Australia today are determined by our culture, values and beliefs. In this five part series we go behind the scenes of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant and secular funerals. We cross over into privileged territory to stand beside closest kin and share their intimate moments, to get a picture of death, as it’s done in 21st century Australia.

SUNDAY JULY 20: EPISODE 1. ANGLICAN & MUSLIM
A country town Anglican farewell for a much loved local and a no-frills Muslim funeral for an asylum seeker.

SUNDAY JULY 27: EPISODE 2. VIETNAM VETERAN & CHINESE BUDDHIST
Leather meets brass in a motorcycle send-off for a Vietnam Vet and a traditional Chinese-Buddhist funeral – Australian style.

SUNDAY AUGUST 3: EPISODE 3. ITALIAN CATHOLIC & HINDU
An Italian-Catholic funeral draws 1500 mourners and a son farewells his father in a humble Hindu funeral a long way from home.

SUNDAY AUGUST 10: EPISODE 4. PENTECOSTAL GHANAIAN & SECULAR
A Sydney group of Pentecostal Ghanaians celebrate and dance for the deceased and a do-it-yourself secular funeral: no God or grief allowed.

SUNDAY AUGUST 17: EPISODE 5. HOW SHALL WE REMEMBER THEM?
A Facebook memorial for a young man, a wife’s ashes scattered in the sea, a tribal Tiwi ceremony, grieving for those lost without trace and a loved one’s remains gifted to science.