The idea of death has always been an enigma. Each person has their explanation and beliefs, based on religion and culture, in an attempt to rationalise death and the questions that surround it, which cause both fear and fascination. What is death? Where do we go after we die? What lies beyond? What is the meaning of birth and rebirth, heaven and hell? These are not questions we have definitive answers to but have influenced people and their thinking for years and will continue to do so.
Funerary Architecture and its Influence on Civilization
“To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure”
-J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
A Brief History of Death
Over the course of history, humanity has been through some fascinating instances. From the rise and fall of empires to the development of air travel, technology and AI, human civilization has known no bounds. Something that seems like a crazy idea today might easily be our reality tomorrow and it is very difficult to predict what the future might hold for us.
Yet there are a few aspects of the human experience that even with all our strides being made in technology and science, we don’t have answers to. They have been a constant, since the conception of the universe, and these are beliefs so strong, that no amount of logical explanation can change.
The idea of death has always been an enigma. Each person has their explanation and beliefs, based on religion and culture, in an attempt to rationalise death and the questions that surround it, which cause both fear and fascination. What is death? Where do we go after we die? What lies beyond? What is the meaning of birth and rebirth, heaven and hell? These are not questions we have definitive answers to but have influenced people and their thinking for years and will continue to do so.
One theme that is common though, throughout these different beliefs, is that with death, the departed has moved onto whatever realm comes after, and thus should be sent off appropriately. These beliefs are what led to the concept and development of funerary architecture.
Funerary Architecture
Funerary architecture can be described as structures that are built to commemorate the deceased, and the rituals and practices that surround death. They can be observed throughout history, such as tombs, mausoleums and graveyards.
One of the most well-known funerary structures is the Great Pyramids at Giza.
Great Pyramids at Giza
The Great Pyramids are a set of tombs that were built to commemorate the death of the Egyptian pharaoh at the time, Khufu. There are several mastabas around the pyramid, all consisting of gold, vessels, clothing and other items that the Egyptians believed would be necessary for the deceased in his journey to the afterlife. These mastabas are also built to commemorate relatives or officials of the king.
The pyramidical shape is a cause of debate among historians. Some believe that the shape allows for the tomb to function as a stairway to heaven. Others, that the shape represents the ancient mound of creation from which the Egyptians believed that the earth was created. Another theory is that the pyramids symbolise the sun’s rays. These ritual beliefs thus shaped the architecture of the pyramids.
The Taj Mahal
Another example, and one of the most well-known funerary structures in the world, is the Taj Mahal. It was built to commemorate the death of Mumtaz Mahal, who was the wife of Shah Jahan. Everything from the form to the material used symbolises the ritual beliefs and practices at the time. The main onion dome symbolises heaven and is considered to be a connection between both the earthly and the divine realms. The white marble and inlay work symbolises purity and peace. The landscape follows the charbagh pattern and is akin to the idea of paradise as described in the Quran. Trees, flowering plants and water bodies all add to the idea of serenity and peace, which is very relevant in terms of a final resting place for an individual. There is also an overall symmetry and balance that can be observed in the planning and elevation, which again solidifies the idea of birth and death, both being equally balanced.
Mahaprasthanam Crematorium
In the modern world, the idea of tombs and memorials has also taken a contemporary shift in terms of architecture. An example of this would be the Mahaprasthanam Crematorium in Hyderabad designed by DA architects. The planning and conceptual design are based on the five major stages of the funeral ritual: preparation, cremation, mourning, purification and commemoration. The forms of all the built structures are in one way or another, related to grief, loss and mourning. Pavilions are designed to embrace the people occupying them, waiting halls are designed to look like they bow and pyres open up to the sky, as the soul of the departed moves to the heavens. In terms of materiality, precast angular structures with concrete finish are utilised. Scriptures from the Bhagavad Gita are also engraved on the walls.
Where Do We Truly Go From Here?
These are three very different examples of funerary architecture through different periods of time. The architecture has evolved based on styles and the rituals based on religion, but they all have one thing in common, and that is the idea of the afterlife; to provide the most respectful journey to the deceased, wherever they go after death.
Life is fleeting. In the grand scheme of things, a single person’s life is merely a second compared to the generations and generations of life that have walked the earth since its conception. But each person has their own life, own thoughts, ideas and individualistic identity that affects the small circle of people that they are surrounded with. Memorials, tombs and any other type of funerary architecture are just a way for people to be remembered. Architecture thus, becomes a tool to contain the memory of the person, to leave a small mark in the everchanging nature of the world, and to outlive life itself.
References:
Britannica. Pyramids of Giza. [online]. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pyramids-of-Giza [Accessed: 29th March 2025]
Britannica. What do the pyramids of Giza represent? [online]. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/question/What-do-the-pyramids-of-Giza-represent [Accessed: 8th March 2025]
Kaarwan (28th November 2024) Symbolism and Meaning Behind the Taj Mahal: Love, Mourning and Eternal Beauty. [online]. Available at: https://www.kaarwan.com/blog/architecture/symbolism-and-meaning-behind-the-taj-mahal?id=1210
Architizer Mahaprasthanam, Hyderabad, India [online]. Available at: https://architizer.com/projects/mahaprasthanam/
