Photos: Symbolic funerals held in Nepal for missing flood victims

Symbolic funerals held in Nepal for those still missing after deadly floods in the Himalayan nation.

Relatives mourn during symbolic funerals held for flood victims still reported missing at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

Families in Nepal held symbolic funerals for relatives who remain missing, hoping to free their souls after they were presumed dead.

In Hindu tradition, cremation is a vital final rite, and for some families, performing the ceremony without the bodies of their loved ones has brought a measure of spiritual release.

Authorities in Nepal have meanwhile been burying recovered bodies in temporary graves until they can be identified. DNA samples are being preserved, distinguishing facial features photographed and other identifying details recorded to help match the remains with missing people and eventually return them to their families.

The August 26 flash flood has been one of the deadliest disasters to hit the Himalayan nation in recent years.

More than 1,200 people were killed and about 4,750 remain missing in Nepal and China’s Tibet region, after a huge wave of mud and debris destroyed towns, roads, bridges and several hydropower dams.

Relatives carry kush grass effigies for cremation in accordance with Hindu rites during symbolic funerals held for flood victims still reported missing, at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

Relatives make kush grass effigies for cremation at the Pashupatinath Temple. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

Mourners attend symbolic funerals at the Pashupatinath Temple. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

Relatives mourn during symbolic funerals at the Pashupatinath Temple. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

The August 26 flash flood has been one of the deadliest disasters to hit the Himalayan nation in recent years. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

The symbolic funeral ceremonies are meant to "liberate the souls" of loved ones missing since the deadly flash flood swept away their villages and homes in the Himalayan region. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

Relatives cremate grass effigies during symbolic funerals at the Pashupatinath Temple. [Prakash Mathema/AFP]

在尼泊尔，人们为在喜马拉雅山国发生的致命洪灾中仍然失踪的人们举行了象征性的葬礼。

在尼泊尔加德满都帕舒帕提纳神庙，亲属们为仍失踪的洪灾遇难者举行象征性葬礼，表达哀悼。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

尼泊尔的一些家庭为失踪的亲人举行象征性的葬礼，希望在他们被推定死亡后，能够解救他们的灵魂。

在印度教传统中，火葬是一项重要的最终仪式，对于一些家庭来说，在没有亲人遗体的情况下举行仪式，带来了一定程度的精神解脱。

与此同时，尼泊尔当局已将找到的遗体暂时安葬，等待身份确认。他们正在保存DNA样本，拍摄面部特征照片，并记录其他身份信息，以便将遗骸与失踪人员进行比对，最终将遗体归还给家属。

8月26日的山洪暴发是近年来袭击这个喜马拉雅山国的最致命的灾害之一。

尼泊尔和中国西藏地区发生大规模泥石流，造成超过 1200 人死亡，约 4750 人失踪。泥石流摧毁了城镇、道路、桥梁和几座水电站大坝。

在尼泊尔加德满都帕舒帕蒂纳特神庙，亲属们抬着用库什草编织的纸扎人偶，按照印度教仪式进行火化，以此纪念那些仍然失踪的洪水遇难者。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

亲属们用库什草制作人偶，准备在帕舒帕蒂纳特神庙火化。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

哀悼者在帕舒帕蒂纳特神庙参加象征性葬礼。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

在帕舒帕蒂纳特神庙举行的象征性葬礼上，亲属们哀悼逝者。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

8月26日的山洪暴发是近年来袭击这个喜马拉雅山国的最致命的灾害之一。[Prakash Mathema/法新社]

这些象征性的葬礼仪式旨在“解救”在喜马拉雅地区致命山洪冲毁村庄和家园后失踪的亲人的灵魂。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]

在帕舒帕蒂纳特神庙举行的象征性葬礼上，亲属们焚烧草人像。[Prakash Mathema/AFP]