Aug 23, 20216 min read

The Concept of Death in Different Religions

Updated: Jan 23

From time immemorial, humanity has embarked on the unceasing quest for a coherent explanation for the inevitable phenomenon of death (Masoliver, 2020). In correspondence with Masoliver (2020), the fear associated with death largely arises from interpretations, primarily religious, attributed to this enigma.

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Buddhism

Buddhism seeks to suppress the cause of suffering through the annihilation of desire (Marino, 2018). Buddhists believe that divinity is gradually attained, considering matter as eternal and in constant repose. Buddha advocates the extinction of all desires as the highest ideal, aiming for nirvana and adopting indifference towards life, death, pain, and pleasure (Marino, 2018). In Eastern cultures following Buddhism, life is not limited to death, as per Buddhist belief; individuals are reincarnated into new lives, with each life seen as an opportunity for learning and improvement toward achieving spiritual purity (Guerri, 2021). In other words, for Buddhists, life is eternal, marked by successive reincarnations; therefore, death is not perceived as the end of existence but as the beginning of a new stage (Guerri, 2021). According to Scalici (n.d.), for Buddhists, the phenomenon of transmigration is evident, making death necessary.

Christianity

Christianity finds its roots in Judaism, the religion in which Jesus of Nazareth, its founder, was raised (Vincenzo, n.d.). In the Christian perspective, reconciliation between humanity and God is realized through the death of Jesus (Marino, 2018). Likewise, the resurrection of Christ symbolizes liberation from death and sin. For followers of this faith, death marks the end of the earthly pilgrimage, but thanks to Christ, it takes on a positive meaning. After death, each individual undergoes judgment based on their actions, determining their salvation or condemnation. Though it may seem threatening, in accordance with Marino (2018), the Christian message encourages following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, the incarnate Son of God, sent by His Father so that humans may truly perceive Him and identify with Him – that is, with the divinity manifested in human form.

Hinduism

Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions in the world, originating from Vedic religion, which later evolved into Brahmanism with the arrival of the Caucasus Aryans and immigrants from Malaysia, Babylon, and Iran (Marino, 2018). Hindus have minimal concern for death as they believe in rebirth in another place from birth, with their primary focus on breaking the cycle of rebirths (Scalici, n.d.). The goal of Hindus is to free themselves from life and escape existence in the world, as they consider their social and historical existence denies their true being, and their objective is to renounce it (Scalici, n.d.). According to Guerri (2021), existence, for them, implies the absence of reality and uncertainty about what is and what will come.

In the Hindu religious perspective, death involves the union of the individual soul with the universal soul; therefore, it is believed that upon death, one transitions not to another life as known on earth, but to a form of spiritual and unknown existence based on union with the Absolute or the Supreme Principle (Scalici, n.d.). Hindu belief maintains that everyone experiences multiple lives throughout their existence (Guerri, 2021). In other words, when a person dies, their soul is reborn and reincarnated into another body (Guerri, 2021). In the Hindu conception, souls assume their divine, animal, or human condition based on the moment in the process and the law of karma, which follows the principle of retribution: "who does it, pays for it" (Marino, 2018). According to Guerri (2021), if a person acted in accordance with their life duties or "Dharma" in the previous life, they will reincarnate into a favorable body.

Islamism

Muslims welcome death with joy, as it frees the individual from the burdens of worldly life. Death opens the doors to the infinitely vast circle of the mercy of the Eternal and Beloved, where one can enjoy the company of loved ones and experience the comfort of an eternal and happy life (Scalici, n.d.). Islam stands out as the only religion that provides detailed guidelines for before, during, and after the death of a loved one, as outlined in the Quran. From pre-death to burial, a farewell ceremony takes place, marking a significant stage of life (Scalici, n.d.). At the moment of death, the last words Muslims should utter are "there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet" (Marino, 2018). After death, according to Marino (2018), only Muslims are allowed to touch or wash the body.

A notable feature is the presence of multicolored tents on the street and at the door of the deceased's house (Scalici, n.d.). These tents host a prayer for the deceased, typically reserved for men, as women tend to stay inside the house on these occasions. The prayer, known as salat-l-janazah, is led by an Imam. After the prayer, only men participate in a funeral procession to the cemetery for the burial (Scalici, n.d.). During this process, the head of the deceased is turned towards their right shoulder, burying them with their face towards Mecca (Marino, 2018). According to Marino (2018), many Muslims do not express grief, as it could be perceived as a lack of faith in Allah.

Since Islam is based on self-justice, Muslims often reflect on the Day of Judgment. On this day, they believe that Allah or an angel will use a scale to weigh each person's actions (Marino, 2018). Their hope is that the good deeds will outweigh the bad, although they recognize that Allah will judge according to His will and not their own judgment. Another Islamic interpretation suggests that the actions of the deceased are recorded in a book. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will open this book, tally the person's actions, and determine whether they will be placed in their right or left hand. According to Marino (2018), the only way to secure paradise is to die as a martyr during a holy Islamic war.

Judaism

Judaism emphasizes the value of life, and as death approaches, there is no particular need for an intermediary to provide last rites. Consequently, a Jewish individual at the end of their life may express a preference not to meet with a rabbi (Marino, 2018). After death, there is a special and respectful treatment of the body, prohibiting mutilation unless there is a specific legal provision for an autopsy. The funeral service generally takes place within the next 24 hours after death or as soon as possible. In Judaism, everything related to death is considered impure. Therefore, Marino (2018) mentions that after death, a member of the corresponding couple, according to the deceased's gender, proceeds to wash the body in a special way, wraps it, and places it in a simple coffin.

Jews perceive human beings as naturally mortal, and what demarcates the divine from the human is death, as it comes from God (Marino, 2018). What God promises is experienced during life and is not nullified by death. Contemplating death, Jews perceive life; in contemplating life, they draw closer to God. According to Marino (2018), living is akin to engaging in a dialogue with God, and dying is the final silence where there are no words to speak and no reason to listen.

Tibet

Among the Tibetans, attitudes towards death and dying are devoid of the general taboo found in the West (Scalici, n.d.). In this context, death is faced with respect and admiration (Scalici, n.d.). The existence of death becomes a stimulus for human development, standing out throughout life, especially in moments close to death (Guerri, 2021). A fundamental principle that permeates the lives of Tibetans is the transient nature and constant change of the entire universe (Scalici, n.d.). There, the presence of death is used as an indispensable psychological factor for awareness of the transient nature of life, the change of all things, and the precious value of the present moment, that is, the here and now (Guerri, 2021). In this sense, in accordance with Scalici (n.d.), death is not perceived as an enemy to be fought and avoided at all costs but as an indispensable aspect of life.

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