The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-27
A Chinese Funeral.

The Chinese who were killed by the late
steamboat explosion in California. were bur
rled with their national ceremonies, W hich ale
thus described by Sacramento paper:
During the progress of the service. as
above. the Chinese were engaged in yielding
he last tribute OF respect 10 their deceased
countrymsn in another part of the ground.
The ceremonies practised on the decease
Of a person in China vary in ditieren, parts
of the country, though they are not necessa-
rily elaborate or expensive any where. and all
the important ones can be performed BY the
poorest. The inhabitants of one part of the
empire put a piece of silver IN the mouth Of
the dxing person, and carefully cover has
nose and ears Scarcely Is he dead. when
they make whole in the roof, to facilitate the
exit OF the spirits proceeding from his body,
OF which they imagine each Pc son possesses
seven animal senses. which die with him,
and three souls one of which enters lysium
and receives judgment; another bides with
the tablet, which is set by the side of the
body by the priest. and the third dweils with
the tomb. Yesterday while the services
were going on in English. the Chinese, not far
off, were performing tie last sad office over
fifteen corpses of their countrymen. AT every
grave incense sticks were smoking and red
candles burning, while the friends Of the de-
parted come by one to the foot of the
grave, and placing their hands together, bow
ed their bodies forward several times.
In central place among the graves a large
quantity of edibles were laid out and arran-
ged in order-a whole roast hog, piles OF
cakes, a large platter of cooked rice. sweet
meats. pickles. and wine. In front of these
viands stood Chinese attired In the hsbiii-
ment of a native priest. beating time with two
steel plates, and measured tones chanting
prayers for the repose of the dead. just op-
posie the person thus officiating could be OBJ
served small. short stake, to the end OF
which was paper sireamer. on which was
written, hieroslyphics. charm. as it is their
custom on funeral occasions. With prayers
for the dead, the officiating individual min
gled simple quotations from the Chinese relig-
ious books Many came to the graves and
threw into them gilt paper and cards. At sew
eral places could be observed piles of paper
cut into small squares, with gilt spot in the
center Of each sheet. All these were set fire,
the survivors supposing that the smoke trans
mits them into hades, that they there turn
nto celestial money. and 60 into the hands OF
the departed. and by them are used TO bear
expenses in the other world. During all these
funeral services there was native band of
Chinese music, which played their national
airs according to their home usages.
1t was rare sight, and at once fla'terng
to the liberaity our institutions, to see there
assembled ON common ground the Christian
and the pagan, each acknowledging the sacred
character of the departed. and manfes;ing.
according TO their peculiar tcncts. respec. for
their memory and worth. This unusual cir
cumstance, together with tie large number of
new made graves and coffined bodies and the
, immense crowd of persons in attendance, con
tributed to render the occasion one Of sad and
singular interest.