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Tag: "Burial (funeral)"

tag name Burial (funeral) type: Practices
web link bahai-library.com/tags/Burial_(funeral)
variations or
mis-spellings
Burial laws
related tags Death
referring tags Cemeteries and graves; Cremation; Funeral; Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Selected topics; Prayers for the dead; Respect; Shroud (funeral cloth); Su'al va Javab (Questions and Answers, Kitáb-i-Aqdas)
Inventory subject Law of burial and cremation
notes

See also:
BWC compilation Bahá'í Burial

selected quotations
(authoritative sources)

These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts:

"... In brief, the Bahá’í law for the burial of the dead states that it is forbidden to carry the body for more than one hour’s journey from the place of death; that the body should be wrapped in a shroud of silk or cotton, and on its finger should be placed a ring bearing the inscription “I came forth from God, and return unto Him, detached from all save Him, holding fast to His Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate”; and that the coffin should be of crystal, stone or hard fine wood. A specific Prayer for the Dead (see note 10) is ordained, to be said before interment. As affirmed by ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá and the Guardian, this law precludes cremation of the dead. The formal prayer and the ring are meant to be used for those who have attained the age of maturity, i.e. 15 years of age (Q&A 70).

With regard to the material from which the coffin is to be made, the spirit of the law is that coffins should be of as durable a material as possible. Hence, the Universal House of Justice has explained that, in addition to the materials specified in the Aqdas, there is no objection to using the hardest wood available or concrete for the casket. For the present, the Bahá’ís are left free to make their own choices in this matter."

Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 149, referring to ¶128

From the index of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas:

Burial, 155

burial rings, K128-K129, Q70, n149
coffin, K128, n149
cremation prohibited, n149
expenses, K28, Q9, Q69, n47
one hour's journey, K130, Q16, n149, n152
prayer, 102. See also Prayer for the Dead
shroud, K130, Q56, n149, n151

"... make the necessary provision in your will, stipulating that ..., being a Bahá’í, you request that your remains not be cremated and not be taken more than an hour’s journey from the place you die.”

The spirit has no more connection with the body after it departs, but as the body was once the temple of the spirit, we Bahá’ís are taught that it must be treated with respect."

– Shoghi Effendi, Directives of the Guardian, p. 87 (1973 edition)

"As this physical frame is the throne of the inner temple, whatever occurs to the former is felt by the latter. In reality that which takes delight in joy or is saddened by pain is the inner temple of the body, not the body itself. Since this physical body is the throne whereon the inner temple is established, God hath ordained that the body be preserved to the extent possible, so that nothing that causeth repugnance may be experienced. The inner temple beholdeth its physical frame, which is its throne. Thus, if the latter is accorded respect, it is as if the former is the recipient. The converse is likewise true.

Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the utmost honor and respect."

– The Báb, Persian Bayán, V, 12

references en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial#Burial_in_the_Baháʼí_Faith; bahai9.com/wiki/Burial; bahaiquotes.com/subject/burial; bahaiquotes.com/subject/death-burial; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Burial

"Burial (funeral)" has been tagged in:

21 results from the Main Catalog

from the main catalog (21 results; expand)

sorted by  
  1. 2025-10. Qiblih in Bahá'í Thought and Comparative Perspective, The. Omid Ghaemmaghami, Shahin Vafai. — Examines the theological, symbolic, and historical significance of the Qiblih in Baha’i thought, s... Articles.
  2. 2020-04-08. Covid-19 and Bahá'í Burial. Universal House of Justice. — As Baha'i laws emphasize hygiene and protection, Baha'is may refrain from certain funeral and burial... UHJ-letters.
  3. 2018/2025. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . — 216 selections, last updated 2025. Writings.
  4. 2017. Suffering of the Exalted Letters. Bahá'u'lláh, Joshua Hall, trans. . — Tablet written in Baghdad about death and the development of the human soul. Translations.
  5. 2013-2018/2023. Various Essays. Susan Gammage. — 47 short essays on following the teachings and living a Baha'i life, life coaching and counselling, ... Essays.
  6. 2011/2026. Guide for Bahá'í Funerals and Burial in Canada, A. Diana Dainty, comp, Don Dainty, comp. — Baha'i teachings on the body, soul, mind, spirit, and life death; preparations for burial; the grave... Compilations-personal.
  7. 2001-07-01. Carta Sobre La Oracion para el Entierro Baha'i (Letter on the Baha'i Burial Prayer). Universal House of Justice, Cortesía, trans. . — Del departamento de la Secretaria 1 de julio de 2001. UHJ-letters.
  8. 2001. Guide to Bahá'í Funeral and Burial Practices, A. Natalie M. Reyes, comp. — Baha'i preparations for end-of-life; with tips on body preparation and information on arranging one... Books.
  9. 2000. Guidance for Bahá'í Groups. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. — The purpose, organization, functioning, limitations, privileges and responsibilities of Baha'i group... NSA-documents.
  10. 1999-02-09. Prayer for the Dead, Recitiation of. Universal House of Justice. — Instructions on the correct way to recite this prayer. UHJ-letters.
  11. 1998. Funerals and Burials, Preparations for: Some practical notes. Mary K. Radpour, comp. — A compilation of Baha'i directions for funerals and burials (i.e., this is not a compilation of dire... Compilations-personal.
  12. 1996. Exalted Letters (Hurúfát-i-'Álín), The: Overview. John Walbridge. Study.
  13. 1994. Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism. Denis MacEoin. — On practices of prayer, invocations, talismans, jewelry, fasting, purity, birth, death, marriage, fe... Books.
  14. 1991. Burial, Baha'i. Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice. — Extracts from writings on Baha'i burials, cemeteries, and funerals, specifying the type of ring, shr... Compilations.
  15. 1990. Burial: in Bahá'í Communities. Vahid Rafati. — Brief excerpt, with link to article offsite. Encyclopedia.
  16. 1989-10-06. Special Report on Baha'i Burial vs. Maori Custom. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand. — Special report about reconciling Baha'i burial laws with local maori customs where they conflict; in... NSA-letters.
  17. 1988. Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Helen Bassett Hornby, comp. . — The classic Baha'i reference book. This is its first online edition. Compilations-personal.
  18. 1987. Summon Up Remembrance. Marzieh Gail. — Memoir left by Ali-Kuli Khan, one of the first translators of Baha'i Writings; writings of his wife ... Books.
  19. 1982-2023. Encyclopaedia Iranica: Selected articles related to Persian culture, religion, philosophy and history. Encyclopaedia Iranica. — Sorted, categorized collection of links to over 170 articles. Encyclopedia.
  20. 1956. Notes on Words of the Guardian. Virginia Orbison. — Ten pages of notes, preserved as an appendix to Orbison's lengthy manuscript "Diary of a Pilgrimage ... Pilgrims.
  21. 1902/1987. Wisdom of Burying the Dead in the Earth: Tablet of Cremation. Abdu'l-Bahá, Ali Kuli Khan, trans, Marzieh Gail, trans. . — Tablet to Laura Clifford Barney regarding the wisdom of burying the dead in the Earth, also known as... Translations.
 
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