What do we eat during mourning — can we cook at home?

often relatives and neighbours bring simple food for the first days; after that, plain sāttvic home food is cooked.

In many families the stove is not lit on the day of death, and sometimes for the first three days. This is both a sign of grief and a practical kindness: relatives and neighbours bring food so that the mourners do not have to cook. After that the household cooks simple food.

What is commonly eaten: plain dal, rice, roṭī, khichḍī, boiled vegetables, curd and fruit — often without onion, garlic, heavy spices, fried items or sweets. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are avoided. The kartā may eat only once a day, sometimes food he cooks himself or havisya (rice with ghee). Customs vary, so follow your family.

Please make sure the elderly, children, pregnant women and anyone on medication eat properly. Grief exhausts the body; simple, nourishing meals are part of caring for each other, not a breach of mourning.

Source: Garuḍa Purāṇa; common family practice

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