Is the incense offering done the same way by everyone?
In short
It dependsHow many times you offer incense and the exact steps differ by Buddhist school. If unsure, simply follow the person ahead of you, the priest or the chief mourner.
When does this apply?
Typically you bow to the family and the memorial photo at the altar, pinch some powdered incense, drop it onto the burner, put your hands together, then bow and step back. The number of pinches, from one to three, varies by school.
Why?
Offering incense (oshoko) is a Buddhist rite to purify the heart and the space with fragrance and to honour the deceased. Each school has handed down its own way.
What to do
- Watch the person ahead of you and follow them
- Do each step calmly and sincerely
- If you cannot offer incense for religious reasons, tell the chief mourner beforehand, for example via reception
Better to avoid
- Correct other people’s way of doing it
Exceptions and differences
At Shinto or Christian funerals, people may offer a sacred branch (tamagushi) or flowers instead of incense. Follow the style of the ceremony.
Manners can differ by region, facility and generation. Local signs and staff instructions come first.
Check with a quiz
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Sources
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