The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-06
CHINESE BURIAL CUSTOMS.

Chinese of some distinction died in San
Francisco few weeks since. One of the at
tGCheS OF the Attd who attended his funeral,
gosslps in this wise:-
coffin OF superior description was in the
room, but attention was given exclusively to
the gathering up of bedclothes and garments
that must have been used by the deceased A
woman, draped in white, sobbed bitterly, and
efforts were made to console her by other
females, apparently without effect Close by
her was an intelectualookng Chinaman, who
gave very little heed TO her sorrows, but wh9
went on reading rapidly from book, OCCASION
ally varying the ceremony by throwing scraps
OF paper on the body OF the dead man. When
the proper time arrived the undertaker's assist
ants made short WORK OF cotining the deceased,
as the weeping woman, doubled in consequence
of apparent grief, grew louder IN lamentation.
The usual supply OF provisions, sucn as meats,
rice ana iowl, was conveyed after the coffin and
placed in a separate wagon, which formed part
of the funeral procession, and in which were
bedding and wearing apparel. The woman was
led, almost carried, to a hack, and in presence
of a large number OF spectators (who were not
edlfed), the cortege moved off, leaving several
carriages behind, the drivers of which had
failed to induce the friends OF deceased TO pay
for joining in the procession.
There is an extensive plot of ground set apart
in Lone Mountain for the interment OF Chinese.
There is also vault where the remains of the
wealthy classes are kept until opportunity offers
for removal to China. In most cases the burials
take place in the ordinary manner; grave is
dug and the coffin covered. But, as is well
dust in foreign soil; the companies take charge
of this matter, and carry out the wishes of their
countrymen. Periodically, after sufficient time
has elapsed, the bodies inferred are eXhumed,
the flesh is carefully scIaped from the bones,
which are exposed to the action of the sun until
thoroughly dried; they are then wrapped in
white muslin and packed in rough boxes for
shipment. The bodies placed in the vault are
transported to China in the collins obtained at
first from the underIakers.
A writer in an Eastern paper not long since
drew attention to the commerce between San
Francisco and Hong Kong, in the transportation
of dead Cinnamon. IT is believed that the desire
of CbDamen in California to be inferred in their
native land does not arise from love OF coun'
try, or the sentiment which leads men TO wish
to be among their kindred; but 1t s that their
bones may be duly cared for, sacrificed to, and
supplied from time to time with money, food,
raiment, and other articles in the spirit world,
which articles, made OF paper, are transmitted
through the medium of fire. III facilities for
transportation existed in Australia and other
countries where the Chinese are to be found,
they would have been availed Of; but no Chi
nese iEnk would receive a corpse on board, and
no opportunity has been presented Tor shipping
them by foreign vessels. In fact, u is sort OF
freight that only an American skipper would
think OF receiving.
The collection and transportation of the dead
takes place in some cases annually; in Others
after the lapse OF long period, until 1t can be
done on q large scale and economically. In
this city the companies have an organization
fOr the purpose. Persons are sent from time to
time all over California, Oregon, and Nevada
on bone collections. After preparing them II
the manner stated before they are labelled anG
sent to Hong-Ko where friends of the de
ceased receive them. The remains of the
friendless are cared for by guilds or benevolen
socleties. Religious ceremonies accompany thu
final interments, in which the attendance of 1
priest is not essential. In Honolulu, however
when Chipaman dies. his friends often solici
the services of minister, as they attach som'
irnDortance to the rites of Christian burial
In many countries the Chinese give their deat
permanent interment; and in Spain they com
ply with the customs q a lne , country, and PTac
has a monopoly of carrying by wholesale deai
bodies thousands of miles across the ocean.