The funeral customs and customs in rural China are an important part of traditional Chinese culture. They reflect the Chinese people's attitudes and concepts towards death and life. The following will introduce in detail the funeral customs and customs in rural China.
1. Funeral customs
1. Decorating the mourning hall
In rural China, the mourning hall is the place where the coffin of the deceased is placed, and it is also a place where family members pay homage to the deceased. When decorating the mourning hall, offerings and flowers are usually placed in front of the coffin to show respect and memory for the deceased.
2. Memorial ceremony
In rural China, the memorial ceremony is an important part of the funeral ceremony. Family members will burn incense, paper, flowers, and wine in front of the mourning hall to show respect and memory for the deceased. At the same time, the family members will also ask Taoist priests or monks to pray for the deceased to ensure peace in the next life.
3. Burial Ceremony
In rural China, the burial ceremony is the last part of the funeral ceremony. The family members will place the body of the deceased in the coffin, and then proceed with the encoffining, coffin carrying, and funeral process. During the funeral, family members will scatter paper money and burn paper on the roadside to show their memory and blessing for the deceased.
2. Customs
1. Taboos
In rural China, there are many taboos related to funerals. For example, you cannot cry or laugh in front of the mourning hall; you cannot eat in front of the mourning hall; you cannot wear red clothes in front of the mourning hall, etc. These taboos are all to respect the deceased and avoid evil spirits.
2. Commemorative activities
In rural China, people go to cemeteries to pay homage to the deceased at specific times such as the death anniversary or Qingming Festival. They burn paper, offer flowers, and offer wine in front of the tomb to express their memory and respect for the deceased.
3. Traditional beliefs
In rural China, people generally believe in ancestors and gods. They believe that the souls of the deceased will enter another world and find salvation and peace there. Therefore, people will perform salvation during funeral rituals to bless the deceased with peace in the afterlife.
In short, the funeral customs and customs in rural China reflect the Chinese people's attitudes and concepts towards death and life. They are not only an important part of Chinese traditional culture, but also the spiritual wealth of the Chinese people.