A collage of three vibrant cultural images including hindu, buddhism and coptic orthodox.

How different cultures celebrate life and death

Rest Assured Webinar

29 August 2025

What do different faiths believe happens after we die? It’s a question that touches all of us, quietly, curiously, and sometimes urgently. In our latest Rest Assured webinar, we stepped into the sacred spaces of Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Coptic Orthodox Church to explore how these traditions honour death, support grieving families, and celebrate the lives of those who’ve passed.

The webinar featured three insightful speakers: Pandit Rami Sivan, a Hindu priest and scholar; Ayya Suvira, a Buddhist nun from the Australian Sangha Association; and Very Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi OAM from the Coptic Orthodox community in Sydney. Each brought their own stories, rituals, and reflection, offering a rare glimpse into how faith can guide us through life’s final chapter.

Two people standing side by side with their hands pressed together in prayer. The person in front is wearing a bright pink patterned headscarf and colorful rings, while the person behind is dressed in a blue shirt. Both have their eyes closed in a moment of reverence.

Hinduism with Pandit Rami Sivan

Pandit Rami Sivan opened the session with a rich exploration of Hindu beliefs around death. In Hinduism, life is seen as a journey through Samsara, the cycle of rebirth, driven by Karma, the spiritual law of cause and effect. Death is not an end, but a transition toward Moksha or liberation.

Pandit Rami described the dying process as a gradual dissolution of the body’s five elements, earth, water, fire, air and space. Cremation is the preferred method of body disposal, symbolising the return of the physical form to nature. But the rituals extend far beyond the funeral itself.

These practices reflect a profound reverence for the soul’s journey and the importance of ritual in healing and continuity.

A golden Buddha statue seated in a meditative pose with one hand raised in blessing. In front of the statue, incense sticks release gentle smoke beside a brass singing bowl and a purple crystal. The background is softly blurred, creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere.

Buddhism with Ayya Suvira

Ayya Suvira, representing the Australian Sangha Association, offered insight into the Buddhist view of death as part of Samsara, the endless cycle of rebirth. In Buddhism, beings are reborn into one of six realms, ranging from heavenly to hellish, based on their karma. The ultimate goal is liberation, but even within the cycle, there is space for compassion and grace.

Ayya explained that Buddhist funeral practices are shaped more by community norms than strict doctrine. In New South Wales, cremation is overwhelmingly preferred. A unique ritual known as the bone-picking ceremony allows family members to select remains using chopsticks or tongs, which may be kept, interred or used to create relics.

These practices reflect a quiet reverence, where grief is met with mindfulness and remembrance becomes an act of compassion.

A silver incense censer hanging by chains, releasing wisps of smoke. The ornate design features intricate engravings and a decorative cross emblem. The background shows a rich red patterned carpet, creating a warm and reverent atmosphere.

Coptic Orthodox with Very Rev. Fr. Tadros El-Bakhoumi OAM

The Coptic Orthodox presentation, delivered by community representatives, offered a deeply spiritual and communal approach to death. Rooted in ancient Christian tradition, the Coptic Orthodox Church sees death as a transformation, not a loss.

Funerals are held inside the church, where the deceased is placed before the sanctuary and surrounded by prayers, incense and hymns. The service is solemn yet comforting, with family members sharing reflections and priests offering words of hope. Burial is essential, reflecting biblical teachings, and the body is laid to rest facing east, symbolising the anticipation of Christ’s return.

These traditions reflect a strong sense of community, where mourning is shared and remembrance is sacred.

Though the rituals differ, our Rest Assured webinar revealed a shared truth: that honouring the dead is also a way of affirming life. Whether through fire, water, prayer or song, these traditions help communities process grief, celebrate legacy and hold space for the sacred.

What is Rest Assured?

Rest Assured is a webinar series encouraging open and meaningful conversation about death-related topics so people can make informed decisions about their own and their loved ones’ end-of-life care and wishes. This free public program creates a safe space for discussing end-of-life matters.

Featuring specialists across diverse cultures and industry-related sectors, topics include end-of-life planning, Advanced Care Plans, legal aspects and responsibilities, burial and memorial service options, cultural approaches and practices, as well as grief and loss support resources.

Explore more from the Rest Assured series

To read articles and access resources from past Rest Assured webinars, visit our Rest Assured Hub—a dedicated space within our Resource Hub that supports informed, inclusive and compassionate end-of-life conversations.

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