How to Invite Monks for a Funeral in Sri Lanka

Making the Initial Request

The family contacts the chief incumbent monk (Viharadhipathi) of the local temple as soon as possible after the death. This is done by phone or by sending a male family member to the temple in person. The call is straightforward: inform the monk of the death, the relationship to the family, and the location of the home wake. The monk will then coordinate the visit schedule with the temple's monastic community.

Typical funeral services require monks to visit on two or three occasions: for the home wake chanting (during the wake period), for the Pansakula ceremony on the day of the funeral, and for the Mataka Bana sermon on the sixth or seventh evening. Each visit involves a different group or the same monks on different days — the chief monk will advise.

For the Hath Dawasa Dane (seventh-day almsgiving), the family issues a separate invitation specifying the date, time, and number of monks they wish to host for the meal.

Receiving Monks at the Funeral House

When the monks arrive, the reception protocol is specific and carries spiritual significance. The Sangha holds the role of the puññakkhetta — the field of merit — and how the family receives them reflects their respect for that role.

Foot washing: A male family member meets the monks at the entrance and washes their feet with clean water from a basin before they enter the home. This is a traditional act of humility and service. Use a clean cloth to dry their feet afterward.

Seating: The monks' chairs must be draped in spotless white cloth before they sit down. The seating area should be positioned under the white canopy (uduviyan) near the coffin but at a level that allows the monks to sit higher than the lay mourners. If the home layout makes this difficult, use cushions or a slightly raised platform.

Kneeling: When the monks are seated, the family and assembled guests kneel with palms pressed together. This posture is maintained during the administration of the Three Refuges, Five Precepts, and the chanting.

What the Monks Do and Do Not Do

In Theravada Buddhism, monks do not officiate a sacrament in the way a Christian priest conducts a funeral service. They receive offerings and deliver sermons. The spiritual mechanism works through the family's act of generosity (giving food, cloth, and requisites to the Sangha), which generates merit that the family then formally transfers to the deceased.

Monks generally handle the ritual and teaching side rather than body preparation or coffin transport. They will chant the Pali stanzas, accept the Pansakula cloth, lead the merit-transfer ceremony, and deliver the Dhamma sermon. The family and funeral staff arrange the body preparation, coffin transport, cooking, and other physical logistics.

Vinaya Considerations

The monks operate under the Vinaya — the monastic code of discipline. A few rules directly affect funeral logistics:

• Food timing: Monks following strict Vinaya eat their last meal before noon. If an almsgiving is scheduled, ensure the food is served by late morning.
• Seating and physical contact: Female family members should not hand items directly to monks. Use a cloth or tray as an intermediary, or have a male family member pass the item.
• Gifts: Beyond the Pansakula cloth and Ata Pirikara, families often offer additional items — soap, towels, or practical goods. Monks cannot accept money directly. Cash donations for the temple should be placed in an envelope and handed to a temple layperson or placed at the feet of the seated monks.

How Many Monks to Invite

Five to ten monks is typical for the funeral ceremony. For the almsgiving meals, the number can vary — some families invite the same group, others extend the invitation more broadly. The chief monk will give guidance on what is appropriate for the family's situation and means.

The appropriate number should be agreed with the chief monk and reflect the family's means and local tradition. Five to ten monks is typical for the funeral ceremony, while the number for almsgiving meals can vary.

The Buddhist Funeral Sri Lanka toolkit includes a monk-invitation protocol checklist and a timeline showing when each monastic visit should be arranged.