Buddhism
Wisdom On Death/Bereavement
“This body is not me; I am not caught in this body, I am life without boundaries, I have never been born and I have never died. Over there the wide ocean and the sky with many galaxies All manifests from the basis of consciousness. Since beginningless time I have always been free. Birth and death are only a door through which we go in and out. Birth and death are only a game of hide-and-seek. So smile to me and take my hand and wave good-bye. Tomorrow we shall meet again or even before. We shall always be meeting again at the true source, Always meeting again on the myriad paths of life.”
- Thích Nhất Hạnh, No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life
"This world is shrouded in darkness. Here, only a few can see their way free. These few birds escape from the net, and fly away to the heavens."
- The Dhammapada, 13:8, Translated by Dharma Publishing
“We are but guests visiting this world, though most do not know this. Those who see the real situation, no longer feel inclined to quarrel.” | “There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels.”
-The Dhammapada, 1:6, Translated by Dharma Publishing | Translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita
Local Buddhist Temples
Mongkolratanaram
5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619 | (813) 621-1669
Florida Buddhist Vihara
2208 Maydell Dr, Tampa, FL 33619 | (813) 621-1337
Tu Viện Quan Âm
8505 Bowles Rd, Tampa, FL 33637 | (813) 212-7888
Christian - Catholicism
Catholic Funeral Rites
“At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the eucharist. Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral. The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God's merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. At the rite of final commendation and farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God. - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Order of Christian Funerals, no 4-6
Local Catholic Parishes
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
509 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 229-1595
St Peter Claver Catholic Church
1203 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 223-7098
Christ the King Catholic Church
821 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609 | (813) 8786-5841
St Lawrence Catholic Church
5225 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614 | (813) 875-4040
Christian – Protestant
Prayers For Difficult Times
Death of Child – “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV
Prayer – “I know that those around me are grieving for my child as well, God. And yet my own grief is unique, for the bond I shared with my child was all my own. Thank You for understanding when no one else does.”
Death of Parent – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18 NIV
Prayer – “I wasn’t prepared for how much this would hurt, Jesus. Please walk with me through this grief. Let me allow this grief to teach me what You would have me learn.”
Death of Spouse – “Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. Psalm 31:9 NIV
Prayer – “Thank You, Lord, for my spouse’s life. I am so glad You brought this person into my life. Without this partner, I would not be who I am today. Please continue to bless me through the memories I treasure of our time together.”
Local Christian Churches
Crossover Church
1235 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612| (813) 971-8887
Hyde Park Presbyterian Church
1309 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 | (813) 253-0069
Hyde Park United Methodist
500 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606 | (813) 253-5388
New Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church
2511 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33605| (813) 248-8101
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
2418 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33609 | (813) 876-8830
Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church
822 W Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 | (813) 933-7505
Hindu
Hindu Death Rituals
A variety of Hindu and Indian death rituals honor the deceased and support the reincarnation process. The family gathers to practice various rituals, such as:
Washing: The washing of the body includes special ingredients, such as milk, honey, ghee, and yogurt.
Essential Oils: The person’s head may be anointed with essential oils: sandalwood for men and turmeric for women.
Dressing: Traditional Indian death rituals include a simple white sheet to dress the person who has died. More modern practices allow for contemporary, stylish clothing.
Flowers and Rice: Funeral attendees may place a garland of flowers and rice balls (known as pinda) around the loved ones. Leaves, such as basil, may also be used to adorn the body.
Lamp: Some traditional practices involve placing a lamp near the head of the person who has died.
Water: Sprinkling water on the body is a symbol of cleansing.[1]
Local Hindu Temples
Hindu Sanatan Mandir Tampa
311 E Palm Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 221-4482
Shree Raam Mandir
7411 E Comanche Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 | (813) 334-0443
Shree Mariamman Devi Temple Inc.
6311 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619 | (813) 494-2317
Hindu Temple of Florida
5509 Lynn Rd, Tampa, FL 33624 | (813) 962-6890
Islam
Wisdom & Scripture on Death and Dying
“Belief in the soul and the afterlife gives a context to our current existence. Those who focus only on this immediate life miss out on the bigger picture. Indeed, they become heedless of their purpose in life. God reminds humanity, ‘The life of this world is merely an amusement and a diversion; the true life is in the Hereafter, if only they knew.’ Quran 29:64” – Why Islam: Life After Death (Pamphlet)
“Muslims seek salvation in the hereafter by living a God-conscious and virtuous life in this world. The fear of accountability in the hereafter, along with the hope in the promise of God’s ultimate justice, motivates them to orient their present lives around the comprehensive worship of God, the true purpose of human existence. In this way, they endeavor in this temporary life for eternal Joy. [To the righteous it will be said], ‘O reassured soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], and enter among My [righteous] servants, and enter My Paradise’ (Quran 89:27-30)’” – Why Islam: Life After Death (Pamphlet)
“When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except 3, Sadaqah Jariyah, a righteous child who will pray, beneficial knowledge…May Allah bless us with the death only when all our sins are forgiven and when He is pleased with us. Amen.”- Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area Funeral Janaza Services Booklet (Under Imam Arjan Ahmesula)
Local Masjids
Islamic Society of Tampa Bay
7326 E Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 | (813) 628-0007
Masjid Omar Al Mokhtar
1307 W North B St, Tampa, FL 33606 | (813) 217-5531
Alqassam Masjid
5910 E 130th Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 | (813) 985-9433
Masjid Al-Ansar
4334 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614| (727) 383-1715
Judaism
Phases of Bereavement
“A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort” (Jewish Lights Publishing, 1993).
Phase | Time | Major Practices |
Phase One: Aninut
| Time: From the moment of death until the conclusion of the funeral.
| Making funeral arrangements, preparing for the funeral, no mourning, no prayer services, no “official” condolence calls. |
Phase Two: Aveilut (for Seven Relatives) | Time: Seven days of shiva beginning at the conclusion of the funeral through the next six days, unless cancelled by a festival. The first three days are for intense mourning, followed by four days of mourning and reflection. | “Sit” at home, say Kaddish [prayer recited by mourners in praise of God] at prayer services conducted in the home, receive consolers, no work or shaving. |
Phase Three: Sheloshim - 30 Days | Time: From the end of shiva through 30 days from the day of burial.
| Return to work, say Kaddish at prayer services in the synagogue, no entertainment, men do not shave. |
Phase Four: Shanah–11 Months (for Parents)
| Time: From the day of burial through 11 months.
| Saying Kaddish at prayer services in the synagogue, some restrictions on behavior until a full year has passed, unveiling of gravestone. |
Phase Five: Yahrzeit
| Time: Anniversary of the day of death.
| Say Kaddish at prayer services in the synagogue, light a memorial candle, give tzedakah |
Phase Six: Yizkor
| Time: Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, last day of Passover, second day of Shavuot. | Recite special memorial services in the synagogue, light memorial candle give tzedakah |
Local Jewish Synagogues
Congregation Schaarai Zedek (Reformed)
3303 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33609 | (813) 876-2377
Congregation Rodeph Sholom (Conservative)
2713 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629| (813) 837-1911
Alternative Faiths | Spiritual not Religious Support
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-Clare Harner
Remember Me – Poem
Remember Me:
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.
-Margaret Mead
[1] “Understanding Hindu Death Rituals and Customs.” End-of-Life and Funeral Planning Resources, www.myfarewelling.com/article/hindu-funeral. Accessed 3 Jan. 2024.
Sam Williams, MDiv, BCC | President/CEO
Professional Crisis Support Chaplain
Connecting Humans Mobile Chaplaincy
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