Final answer:
Hindu funeral rites primarily involve cremation rather than embalming, which contrasts with the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification that includes embalming and wrapping the body. Cremation in Hinduism symbolizes the release of the soul and its readiness for reincarnation, unlike the Egyptian aim of preserving the body for the afterlife.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional practice of funeral rites varies greatly across different cultures and religions. In Hinduism, contrary to the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification, which involved embalming and wrapping the body for preservation in the afterlife, cremation is predominantly practiced. Hindu funeral rites typically involve the burning of the body on a pyre, marking the release of the soul and its preparation for reincarnation or moksha, which is release from the cycle of rebirth.
In contrast to the Egyptians, who removed internal organs and placed them in ornately decorated canopic jars, with mummification forming an essential part of their burial practices, Hinduism does not involve embalming or elaborate bodily preservation techniques. Cremation in Hinduism is considered a means to purify the body and free the soul, and it often takes place on the banks of a sacred river, such as the Ganges in Varanasi, a site of pilgrimage believed to absolve sin and offer a direct path to salvation.