The loss of a loved one often brings spiritual questions, especially about what happens to the soul after cremation. While the physical process is clear, “the journey of the soul remains a mystery that has been interpreted in different ways for centuries.”

In Hinduism, cremation is seen as a sacred act that helps the soul move on. The soul, or atman, is believed to be eternal, simply leaving the body at death. “Fire, in Hindu belief, is a purifying element that frees the soul.” The ritual helps the soul detach from its earthly form and continue its cycle of reincarnation (samsara).

Other religions and cultures hold different views. Some see cremation as symbolic of releasing the spirit, while others prefer burial as a way to honor the body’s connection to the earth.

Despite these differences, the shared belief across many traditions is that the soul transcends the physical body. As the article notes, “While the physical process of cremation is well understood, the journey of the soul remains a mystery.”

In the end, cremation is not just about the body’s return to nature but a deeply spiritual passage toward peace and continuation beyond life.