and core committee. In the samaj, the birth, marriage and death rituals are very important. The community comes together to celebrate, mourn and serve one another. The samaj consists of the people in one locality in Darjeeling. This would be a small village or neighborhood. When there is a death in someone's family, the family and the samaj members will gather together. When the death happens, the body is brought to the house. People from the family, samaj and other communities will come to visit the family and pay their respect. They will bring what is called a "khada". A "khada" is a scarf usually white or cream in color. "Khadas" can be more colorful too. They are often used in ceremonies to honor a guest. In funerals they are laid on the bodies to pay respect to the person that has died. A "khada" originates from Tibetan culture, but is used amongst the Nepali people in Darjeeling as well. People from every caste and creed will come. Besides the "khada" people will often bring incense and flowers when paying respect. After the "khada" is laid on the body, the person usually sits in the room with the body for some time. In this culture, they do not leave the body alone, from the time of death till the time of burial or cremation. So oftentimes over night, youth from the community will come to the house, and sit with the body. When a person comes to pay respect, after they have placed the "khada", flowers and incense they will be served tea. They will often spend some time at the house with the family. After one or two days there will be a funeral. The details vary according to the religion of the family. In the Christian funerals, sometimes the funerals will take place in the church or sometimes they will take place in the samaj. When the funeral happens at the church, they are then transported by car to the Christian cemetery. There people will have another small ceremony and the last nail will be nailed into the coffin. Each person will then take their turn
