Chinese funeral procession is pictured here. It started from the deceased house to the cemetery.
According to the custom, the route follows the normal route the deceased
used to take in her life. For example, where she used to go to the
market, to work or to visit friends. It is the last farewell to this
life.
The procession is
accompanied by live or recorded music, sometimes the tune is lively and
upbeat but in some cases it is harrowing and sad. The time for this
procession is usually done either at around 10.30 a.m. or 2.30 pm.
The order of the funerary
procession is as the following:
Vertical banner bearer in the front. This banner is known as "Teik".
Normally the color of the banner is white, but
since the woman died after reaching 80 years old, the color is red.
It bears the eulogy of the deceased woman.
Musicians followed suit
Mock sedan chairs made out of paper
The grand sedan chair followed later, in
front of the hearse
Grieving relatives following the
hearse. In some cases, mourners wear clothes made out of gunny sacks.
More grieving relatives and friends.
The mourning colors of black and white are worn.
They also wear a black and white badge on the right shoulder for 100
days
during the grieving period.
The priests lead the grand sedan chair.
Before the funerary procession.
The hearse was beautifully decorated with flowers
and the picture of the deceased. In this case it was an elderly female -
a much beloved
mother, grandmother, daughter, niece, aunt, sister and wife to the family.
A funeral is not the end
of the journey. The deceased will always be remembered, especially
during the Qing Ming festival (also spelled as Ching Ming). The remains would either be cremated or
buried according to the will of the deceased.
It is the old custom of
the Chinese people to honor their ancestors. They believe that the
spirits of their ancestors will look after them in this life when the
going gets tough. Therefore, offering of food like fruits or cakes are
always present on the main altar in their houses, accompanied by daily
prayers.
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