Celebrating Death: A Journey towards getting one with the Almighty

The Lingayats rejoice at death since the dead have traded in the worries of this world for the pleasures of Shiva's heaven. A priest will read passages from the Lingayat scriptures to aid the soul's journey to paradise.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam - LINGAM: A SYMBOL OF LORD SHIVA

The consciousness of man's transience has always been a defining feature of human life. Because death breaks both the continuity of interpersonal relationships and the fundamental principles of order upon which society is based, civilizations have evolved rituals to formalize both the act of dying and the disposition of the body since the dawn of time.

Lingayatism's moral theory is founded on monotheism, which was a developing force at the time. Empiricism and rationalism were combined to create monotheism.  Lingayat, also known as a Virashaiva, is a member of a large Hindu sect in southern India that worships Shiva alone. The followers are known as "lingam-wearers" because men and women always wear little lingams around their necks instead of the sacred thread most upper-caste Hindu men wear. The lingams are votive objects that symbolize Shiva.

There is no life after death according to Lingayats. They hold the view that there is only one life and that a Lingayat has the power to transform that life into either paradise or hell via their actions. He or she is thought to have returned to God at death and to have been united with him. This state is referred to as aikya (union with linga). Since it is thought that the deceased has gained the status of Shiva, the body is cleansed, dressed, decorated with flowers, and worshipped before being brought in a procession to the burial yard while Shiva-honoring songs are sung. Lingayats maintain the view of liberation in this life and every life (Sadehamukti), which is in contrast to the Vaishnava concept of liberation after death (Videhanmukti). Even while he is still in this world, a man can become liberated. There are no classes of souls in Lingayatism like there are in Vaishnavism. Given that freed souls live in Vaikuntha (Heaven) with God.

Lingayatism is very concerned with finding solutions to the issues facing this world. In reality, it works to create a wonderful and joyful world. The then-existing social order was changed by its socio-ethics and economics. People's actions are fully dependent on God. The will of God is expressed in the rule of karma. But the concept of Karma(duty) has no place in the Lingayat faith. The Jnana(knowledge), Bhakti(faith), and Karma (duty) of the orthodox Hindu religion are very different from the Lingayat method. It goes beyond the established paths. It is a free-standing marga(path) that is not constrained by tradition.

According to Shiddhararna, a Lingayat Sharana,

If I regard myself as a body, I become a Karmakani (A door of Karma); 

If I offer my services to God, then I will be a Bhaktikandi (a devotee); 

And if I regard myself as a witness to all Karmas, then I will be a Jnanakandi (a man of knowledge). 

But show me that universal Almighty who is beyond the trikanda (Karma, Bhakti, and Jnana),

 my lord Kapilasiddha Mallikaijuna.

This community highly emphasizes devotion to lord Shiva and treats death as a liberation from worldly difficulties. One move towards understanding and realizing oneself sooner or later in life. Finding the purpose of it and working towards progress. Death is the ultimate destination for all and it is best to have rejoiced as Ligayat does.