Hi,
I do not want to start any arguments on what is right and wrong but am interested in others thoughts.
Recently I had the unpleasant assignment of arranging the funeral of a friend of mine and his last will and testament stated he wanted to be cremated. This got my interested in what would happen if he were incorrect, He wrote the fire would purify his soul.
With all the different spiritual funeral rites around the world and if there is a soul, could one stop the soul from leaving by the incorrect funeral rite? E.G the ancient Egyptians thought the body need to be complete and some religions will not allow autopsy of the body because they believe that would mutilate the body..some leave the body above ground others burn or burry them.
I hope this makes sense what I am asking

I know of no 'universal remote' for 'souls' for different belief sets. You're either right or you're not. It's really up to the person that is now deceased what is to be done because they willfully choose their beliefs while they were living so they must have the same thoughts regarding their death rites.

Personaly, I'd like to be cremated as well just for the fact I don't like the idea of my body decomposing. Saves on space as well.

If there is a soul, I would tend to believe it has basically no biological properties (since it can't be exactly located or operated on or anything) so I would think that means that it is a non-physical entity, which would mean that nothing that happens to the physical body would affect it.

Just my opinion, of course.

I agree.

I could never really understand what the soul is supposed to be made of (is it electrical somehow?)
or why all life except us are exempted from having one.

the soul is the collection of ourself

animals are not exempt
just less complicated.

think of it as cooking:
soul=distinct flavour
animals would be simple recipes
humans more complex [more ingrediants]

the end result is something that brings comfort or disdain. but you will always remember the taste.

I hope your friends wishes were carried out?
I have the same wishes and would not want someone deciding differently.
I feel like Kratos. I don't want to take up space when all that may happen down the road is imminent domain may come in and move me for a new airport or something anyway LOL
I would like to be dust in the wind......

I believe in the idea of energy transfer. I think the energy from your body will simply transform into various other different forms of energy.If some view that as your soul then so be it. My partner has been given very important details on how I want my death to be handled I wish for my body to be buried and then a tree to be planted directly on top. My body will provide the fuel to give the tree life! When the tree has matured and I want a circular bench built around the trunk so that if people wish to visit me they can simply sit under the tree and see my energy(soul) full of life!

Yes everything that he stated in his will was carried out to the best of my abbility, It is not may place to decide if he was wrong or right , just felt guity to think that my actions in carring out the cremation might in some way stop or interfer in his eternal rest..
Thanks for the comments.

What exactly is a soul anyways? Never heard a real definition.