R3SPECT FUNERALS

Chinese funerals in the context of Singapore will be discussed in general instead of segregating them into Buddhist and Taoism funerals as similar themes and practices have been identified in the funeral customs of these two religions.

 

The family extensively prepares for the funeral but a funeral director is always involved. A proper and decent funeral is considered necessary and important as an act of filial piety in the case where one’s parents or elders have passed on. In Chinese deaths, burial is preferred over cremation and is to take place within a short period after the death has occurred. Cremation is seldom the choice for the older generation.The deceased will be dressed in best clothes for the funeral after embalming and may or may not be applied makeup on the face.

 

Chinese funerals span over several days, ranging from three to seven days, depending on one’s preferences and financial abilities. The funerals are usually held at void decks of HDB flats where the deceased lived prior to his or her death or at funeral parlours.

 

In Taoism practices, a rice grain or pearl will be placed between the lips of the deceased, the latter in the case of a wealthier family, so as to light the path and guide the deceased to the next world. The Taoist community holds the belief that the deceased’s soul does not completely leave the body and the dead body is still able to hear. Therefore, caution must be exercised during conversations to prevent offending the deceased.

 

The more traditional Chinese funerals will see large lanterns hanging from the corners of the ceilings to inform of who the deceased is. Information on the lanterns include the name, gender and age of the deceased. The age here refers to the deceased’s real age with the addition of three years, one each for earth, heaven and man.

 

Visitors of a funeral should prepare a white envelope containing condolence money for the bereaved family. White is a symbolism reserved for death in the Chinese culture. How much to prepare for the condolence money entirely depends on the individual’s relationship to the deceased but the amount should be in odd number. The purpose of the condolence money is to help pay for the funeral and relieve the financial burden on the bereaved. The ambience of the funeral may not be entirely solemn as cards and games like mahjong are sometimes observed.

 

Attire wise, the color of choice is usually between black and white. In Buddhist tradition, the immediate family and relatives will wear white while friends and other visitors will be dressed in black.

 

During the funeral itself, Buddhist monks or Taoist priests will chant, accompanied by musical instruments as it is believed to help in the deceased’s journey to the next world. The casket will be opened with the immediate family surrounding it and crying to express their grief. Joss offerings such as gold bars, currency, credit cards, cars, houses and televisions are burned at the funeral as a symbolism for the deceased to have a safe journey to the netherworld and for he or she to be able to live there comfortably with the offerings.

 

Red slips of papers are pasted at lift and main entrances as a means to ward off evil spirits after the death. At the funerals, sweets, snacks and some red threads will be placed on plates and put on every table. The red threads are for visitors to take home - either to tie it around their finger or the front door knob to keep evil spirits at bay as well. In some cases, a coin wrapped in red envelope or handkerchief may be given in place of the red thread.

 

During the mourning period, mourners will wear a cloth band around their arms. If the deceased is male, the cloth band will be worn on the left sleeve while if the deceased is female, the cloth band goes on the right sleeve. This mourning band is worn throughout the mourning period, which ranges from 49 to 100 days.