|
Post by helen on Nov 14, 2009 2:00:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by helen on Dec 12, 2009 2:23:01 GMT -5
Can some one tell me the reason for the family to take the portrait of the deceased back home from the cemetery, straignt after the funeral? Is it so that the spirit can find its way home.
I know I did that for my Mother.
In NZ, they say that the Maori are actually Chinese. They have a ritual of kawa mate, in which whanau take the spirit from marae to marae so others are able to mourn the death.
|
|
|
Post by Henry on Dec 12, 2009 9:30:18 GMT -5
Hi Helen,
My impression is that it was to return the spirit of that person back to their home. In my father's funeral, they had lit a rather long incense (punk) which was carried back lit to my house - a 4 hour drive.
Henry
|
|
|
Post by helen on Dec 12, 2009 15:29:37 GMT -5
That's what my one of our family did recently - They had come to NZ from the village about 20 years ago. They had this really thick joss stick, and they travelled home immedately, before returning to the wake. Luckily only 30 minutes away. At the ceremony the elder son carried the photo, and walked in front of the pall bearers.
|
|
|
Post by Ah Gin on Dec 13, 2009 4:18:56 GMT -5
Helen, Henry,
What you folks describe was also what we did when my parents passed away in Malaysia. Father passed away in West Malaysiaae and mother passed away in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. In both cases the chief mourner was my elder brother, who carried my father/mother's photo, and a thick big joss stick, ahead of the funeral procession. We are siyi folks.
When my parents-in-law passed away in Australia, we did likewise, ie, the photo and joss stick were carried by the eldest male. They were Hokkien folks.
So certainly for our family and extended family from two different provinces, we had the same rites.
regards, ah gin
|
|
|
Post by helen on Dec 14, 2009 0:46:42 GMT -5
We have a female Chinese celebrant here, and she guides the people in the correct ways. She is used to Buddhist ceremonies, as well as Christian one. However, the majority of Chinese who use her services are not Christians.
|
|