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3.8.1 Blessing at the Death Bed

The final blessing of the father on his death bed, given to his
children and grandchildren, is a very impressive and touching ceremony.
And every member of the family considers it very important and precious.

1. The father places his hand on the head of the recipient kneeling for
the blessing.
2. The father makes the invocation:
The blessing which God gave to Abraham
The blessing which Abraham gave to Isaac
The blessing which Jacob gave to my forefathers
The blessing which my forefathers gave to my father
The blessing which my father gave to me
The same blessing dear son/daughter, I give you. 106

This type of blessing is typical of Old Testament and Jewish blessing
formulas (Gen. 48, 15-16; Gen. 35, 12).

3.8.2 Ceremonies after the Death of a Family Member

1 Embracing the relatives of the dead: after the burial of an elderly
person, the members of the family of the dead stand in line in the
church. The priest then sprinkles holy water on them. Then the
friends and distant relatives embrace them and symbolically kiss
cheeks (Thazhukuka). This is an indication of their concern,
sympathy, and continuous support for the bereaved.
2 Sharing the same drink: This ceremony occurs in the home. After
the burial, the children and close relatives of the dead, gather in
the home. The priest recites the prayers for the dead and then
blesses a tender cocoanut which he then gives to the elder son.
All the children and close relatives of the dead drink from that
single tender cocoanut as a sign of their cordiality and oneness
that is to exist even after the death of their parents and elders.
This ceremony may be performed the first, third, fifth, or seventh
day after the death. 107

106
VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown, Veil,
Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 28. Cf. JOHN P. M.
PULLAPPALLY, “Socio-religious Customs of Knānites” (Malayalam), in J. VELLIAN
(ed.), Symposium on Knānites, The Syrian Church Series, Vol. XII, Kottayam, 1986, pp.
110-111. Cf. J. VELLIAN, Knānite Community History and Culture, Syrian Church Series
Vol. XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, pp. 30-31.
107
Cf. Ibid., p. 28.

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