Memorial

Contributions may also be offered in memorial

"He feels sure this offering, expended in memory of your dear ones, will rejoice their spirits, and aid them to progress in the world beyond."

(Directives from the Guardian, "MEMORIAL OFFERINGS", no. 129, p. 48)

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize)

Memorial Gatherings

"As you know, the offering of prayers on behalf of the departed, whether Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í, is encouraged in our teachings, as such prayers are conducive to the progress of their souls in the world beyond. As to the holding of memorial gatherings at regular intervals, there is nothing in the teachings specifically prohibiting such gatherings, but we find general guidelines in the letters of the beloved Guardian, in which he warns the believers against adhering to the rites and customs of past systems and of former religions, and instead urges them to show forth the Bahá'í way of life and demonstrate the independent character of the teachings of the Faith.

"Advertising memorial gatherings by the family is entirely a personal matter for the family to decide. It is left to the discretion of your National Spiritual Assembly whether Local Spiritual Assemblies may permit the use of their Bahá'í Centres for such gatherings."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana, May 24, 1974, in Lights of Guidance, no. 665)

Visiting groups may use the auditorium of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár for special prayer meetings, including memorial services, whether for Baha'is or not (though Bahá'ís not to follow set practices for such occurrences as is done in Islám)

"...provided the general rules governing the nature of services in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar are observed, there is no objection to your Assembly permitting the use of the auditorium for special prayer meetings by visiting groups at times when no general service is scheduled, and such meetings could include memorial services for departed souls, whether Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í. However, in some religions it is customary to hold memorial services for the departed at a specific time after the death--for example, in Islam it is forty days after the passing. The Guardian has stated that such practices have nothing to do with the Faith, the friends should be quite clear on this matters, and should preferably discontinue the practice. Therefore, in all such things the National Spiritual Assembly should be careful to ensure that no set practices or forms arise."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, November 24, 1976, in Lights of Guidance, no. 2064)