Why are daughters not allowed in the Hindu cremation? Is it religion or culture?

 

Why are daughters not allowed in the Hindu cremation? Is it religion or culture?

Culture.

Open cremation is actually quite a ghoulish affair, especially in the old days when the cranium of the deceased was broken with a blunt instrument - said to release the soul but done to ensure the person was dead and to prevent the head bursting during the incineration.

Weeping and overt displays of emotion at the time of cremation is discouraged and since women tend to be more emotional than men they are not invited to attend.

But there is no religious reason why women should not attend nor why a daughter should not herself conduct the funeral rites of her parents.