ASTORIA, OREGON, November 2, 1906 (saada.org archives): HPI Note: This 109-year-old clipping was found by an HPI reader. It reports what was in fact a Sikh funeral, not a “Hindoo” one. At the this time, anyone from India was called a Hindoo, regardless of their actual religion. We provide the report as originally written:
What is believed to be the first Hindoo funeral and cremation ever solemnized in this country took place this morning at a secluded spot in the woods about three miles southeast of this city. It was the cremation of the remains of Ruma Singh, the Hindoo who died in this city a couple of days ago of consumption (tuberculosis), and whose body was, in accordance with an order issued by Circuit Judge McBride, turned over to the deceased’s countrymen yesterday, to be disposed of according to the rites of their country and religion.
The ceremony was quiet, was not as spectacular as was expected, and was not attended with the gruesomeness that was anticipated. In fact, the four Hindoos present went about the matter in a purely businesslike manner and with little ceremony. It was evident that they were merely carrying out a duty that their religion made obligatory upon them. [The reporter would have been unaware that a Sikh funeral is in fact a very simple affair: see https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-ceremonies/funeral-ceremonies-antam-sanskar
The body was taken to the scene by the Deputy Coroner and City Physician, and there turned over to the Hindoos, who were to conduct the cremation. A pyre had been constructed of cordwood about seven feet long, three feet wide and three feet high. The body, which had previously been wrapped in a sheet and then sewed up in a blanket, was placed on top of the pyre and wood piled on it until the pyre was about six feet in height, with the body in the center of it. A small fire was first built at one side, and six two-pound squares of butter were melted over it in a metal bucket. Then the fire was kindled under the pyre, and as pitchwood was used as kindling, it was soon all ablaze.
As soon as the fire was well started, one of the Hindoos took a dipperful of the melted butter and poured it over the corpse, chanting in his native tongue at the time. This was the only semblance of a religious ceremony, and the explanation was made afterwards that the use of the butter was for sanitary purposes. While the cremation was commenced shortly after 8 o’clock this morning, it was about 3 o’clock this afternoon before the entire body was consumed. Owing to the inaccessibility of the place and the fact that no intimation was given out as to the time and place the cremation was to be held, only a few people witnessed its start, but later in the day the spot was visited by a number of curious persons. The Hindoos were, however, not interfered with, and they paid but little attention to the spectators.