Families Begin Final Rites for Missing Relatives After Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods: Religious and Psychological Perspectives
Photo source, Reuters
Sonalal Pandit from Pokhariya-7, Parsa district, was engaged in contract work related to house construction in Devighat, Nuwakot.
On the day of the flood, he was in the market for work.
According to family members, amid the chaos of the flood, the others working with Pandit escaped, but he could not because one knee was impaired and he walked with the support of a cane.
“In some videos, he was seen submerged up to his knees, and no information was received afterward,” said his brother Pannalal.
“Consequently, we concluded he was no longer alive and on the fifth day, we performed the funeral using a symbolic Kush body.”
Similarly, journalist Nirajan Paudel also performed the funeral of five family members on Wednesday using Kush replicas.
On September 26, a devastating flood in the Trishuli River caused Paudel’s family members from Betrawati, Bidur Municipality-7, Nuwakot, including parents, uncle, aunt, and sister, to go missing.
“As there was no basis to find them, the relatives collectively decided to proceed with the rites,” Paudel stated.
Officials have noted a rise since Wednesday in the number of people conducting last rites for missing loved ones with Kush replicas at Pashupatinath Aryaghat in Kathmandu.
“Our records show three such funerals on Wednesday,” said Sunar Bhatt, information officer of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, “and on Thursday the number surged significantly.”
The National Disaster Authority reports that the floods have so far claimed 1,252 lives, with over 4,200 individuals still missing across Nepal.
Why are Kush Replicas Used?
Photo source, Reuters
Devmani Bhattarai, a religious scholar and professor at Nepal Sanskrit University, explains that scriptures like ‘Dharmasindhu’ and ‘Nirnayasindhu’ mention the method of performing funeral rites using a palash or kush (sacred grass) body replica.
“When people witness that a relative is in an unrecoverable state—such as seen in some flood videos or if a spouse was swept away and could not be saved—waiting is unnecessary,” he explains.
“If the body is not found and waiting isn’t possible, traditional rites must be conducted within ten days, although ceremonies can be operated from the tenth to thirteenth day as well.”
“Even if there was no visual confirmation, if the village was washed away and nothing remained, the presence of family and friends is accepted symbolically, hence there is no need to wait — the funeral can be performed using a kush replica.”
“Those who are more religious may choose to wait for fifteen days or for government-mandated DNA test results, which is a matter of personal choice,” Bhattarai adds. “In such cases, decisions may be made with support from siblings, relatives, society, and sometimes authorities.”
“If a missing person returns later, there are established rituals for Sixteenth-day rites and all ceremonies from birth onward.”
Beliefs and Customs of Other Communities
Photo source, Chhewang Rigzin
Religious communities have begun their rituals for missing persons.
“Some families of the missing have initiated religious rites, but many are confused due to damages at their homes. We are collectively praying for their peaceful afterlife,” said Acharya Chhewang Rigzin, chairman of the World Forum for Buddhism.
“We believe that rebirth does not occur for 49 days, so ceremonies on the 7th, 21st, and 49th days are significant,” he added. “We have completed the 7th-day ceremony, with plans for the 21st in Kathmandu for Buddhists and the 49th in Rasuwa.”
According to Veer Bahadur Tamang, treasurer of the Churches Fellowship of Nepal, the Christian community awaits official death confirmation before proceeding with formal relief measures for those missing.
“Once a body is found or the government declares someone deceased, we hold prayer and memorial services with photographs,” he noted.
Psychological Perspective
Photo source, RSS
According to religious scholar Bhattarai, performing the final rites with a Kush replica is spiritually and religiously significant.
“When relatives conclude that their loved one is no longer alive, conducting the rituals ensures the departed attains peace and offers some mental solace to the family,” he said.
Psychologist Anjan Kumar Dhakal emphasizes that ritualistic farewells provide families with emotional closure. “Besides religious and cultural importance, this practice holds significant psychological benefits.”
“Completion of ancestral rites according to religious tenets is believed to bring peace to the deceased and positively impact the family and community.”
Sonalal’s brother, Pannalal Pandit, expressed that these religious rites can bring a degree of mental peace. “There is undoubtedly grief, but we understand the importance of such rites in untimely and externally caused deaths.”
Some comments on social media suggest families rushed the funerals after the flood or couldn’t wait a few days.
However, experts clarify such remarks usually come from people without direct experience.
“Those performing the rites are not rushing. If it should not be done within ten days, the family must endure grief for an additional 13 days,” Bhattarai explains. “Those convinced that the relative is truly missing consider completing the rites within ten days appropriate.”
According to Sunar Bhatt of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the trust arranges free funeral services for flood victims.
“Those bringing recommendations for flood victims do not have to pay fees for using the Cremation Hall,” he added.
