Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-02
A NOVEL CEREMONY.
The First Complete Chinese Fnneral 1
san Francisco


The first genuine and complete Chinese
funeral In San Francisco took place in that
city about week ago. 1t was that of OW
Shlng, late manager of the Wing Wo Sang
Company who was sutfOcated by fumes of
an open charcoal fire. The funeral is thus
described by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ihe procession moved in the following
order: Along Sacramento street to Kear
ny, to jackson, to Dupont, and then
along that street to Market and to
the burying ground. First came
Chlnaman attlred in long flowing
robe OF light blue material, which was
girded at the waist with strip of white
cotton cloth, the Chinese emblem of
mourning, He was followed by two COO
lies, each carrying large white lantern
in which was lighted taper. On each of
these lanterns were Chinese characters in
blue, setting forth the name of the de-
ceased and his office. These lanterns were
carried to light the path OF the spirit of the
deceased had to walk in order to reach
the gates of heaven. Then came two more
coolies, each carrying brass gong, which
they beat loudly and continuously TO
drive Oh any evil spirit which might wish
to cross the path. In addition 10 the
gongs these coolies each carried a square
nag of yellow material, on which were
characters in black. These told of the
deceased met his death. Next came four
more coolies, each carrying a deep red
paper banner, on which were written
In characters Of gold the virtues of
the deceased and the good acts he
performed in life. Then followed a
carriage containing four musicians
each playing upon wind instrument.
which emitted discordant, ear-piercing
noises, which were intended to assist the
O-hp in ft.io
great white devils and small black devils.
Next in order came two Cinnamon. each
carrying pole across one of his shOul-
ders, at each end of which was n censor
resting in natural flowers, some of which
were twined around the chains by which
the censors were suspended to the poles.
In each censor was quantity of per-
fumed punk and sandal wood. which was
lgnlted and sent forth perfumed fumes
along the line Of march. After
these followed another long,robed
Chinaman, wearing the emblem
or mourning and carrying a very
long, narrow red cloth banner affixed to a
pole, at the head of which was branch
OF laurel. This was what is known aa the
ancestral banner, and was the pedi-
gree of the deceased, Then came the
hearse, drawn by four horses, each. dress
ed with black mourning clothes. In the
tai remains of Ow Shing, This was GOV
cred with large red cloth as a symbol
tnat the death of the deceased was a
violent one. On the top of the hearse sat
a Chinaman in full mourning, who dis,
tributed pArallelograms Of Chinese paper
tve or six inches long, each per
Iorated several times. These sheets of
paper are what the Chinese call mock
money, and each perforation repre-
sented one cash--a Chinese coin. This
was designed to propitiate the spirits
along the road which might be disposed to
make disturbances, affecting the coffin or
its contents: BY the distribution of mock
money the Chinese believe that they pur-
chase the right of way for the dead. Be
hind the hearse on each side of which
marched pall-bearers in mourning. were
four professional mOurners attireet from
head to foot in white. One of these had
his face covered with white cloth and
was led along by tWo coolies, who carried
before then small tray filled with food
and tea; After these followed a number
OF merchants on foot ana Carriages con.
tanning friends of the deceased.