A Hindu funeral is a ritual that honors the deceased and helps guide their soul in the afterlife. The process typically begins with the body being washed and dressed in simple clothes, often white, symbolizing purity. Family members gather to pay their respects, and prayers are recited to invoke blessings for the departed soul. The body is usually cremated on a funeral pyre, as fire is considered sacred in Hinduism. This act is believed to release the soul from its earthly ties, allowing it to move on to its next life. After the cremation, family members often collect the ashes and immerse them in a sacred river, such as the Ganges.