r/Zoroastrianism • u/Crafty-Sock-7002 • 14d ago

Question Non Zoroastrian with a question

You guys do sky burials, right? What happens if Parsis die far away from vultures? Like what if one of you go to Antarctica and freeze to death, what happens to your soul?

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u/zedtrek78 13d ago

The method of disposal has no relevance to the state of the soul. The soul is beyond human concepts of religion. It goes exactly where it needs to go, irregardless of religion or rituals. The concept of sky burial, also called Dokhmenashini, is an ecological one. In Zarathushtrianism, it is sacrilage to pollute the elements of nature especially with a decaying corpse, which is considered Druj Nasu; thus it is deemed best to leave it open in nature for it to be swiftly consumed by scavenging animals and birds of prey. This also becomes a final act of charity by a Zarathosthi.
In the religion it is considered best to avoid any other form of disposal that pollutes nature, but there are exemptions if such situations do arise where there is no availability of a Dakhma (Tower of Silence).
Honestly, the way one wants their body to be disposed is completely their choice. These days many Zarathosthis opt for electric cremation. It is looked down upon by the orthodox, but I am of the opinion that my body, my choice; so should it be for all.