The times., 1901-03-17
STRANGE FUNERAL RITES
Chinese Burials i'm Washington and
the Attendant Ceremonies.
Food for the Spirit of the Departed.
Necessary to- Enter the Domain OF
Buddha With n Full stomach.
Chants at the Side of the Grave.

A Chinese funeral is a rare spectacle in
Washington, and one Of much interest.
Evil spirits are supposed to hover con-
st7ntly about the home of the departed
Celestial or otherwise haunt him. unless
sent hurrying away. frightened by the
clashing of cymbals in the hand OF the
children of Buddha
II IS the custom for Cinnamon to look
well to their dead. Food must be fur.
nished for the dead Celestial on his long
journey home. Everything that would
tempt Chinaman's appetite is placed in
huge basket, and left beside his grave
In the dark hours of night when church
yards yawn and graves give up their
dead, the departed spirits Of Cinnamon
are supposed to stalk abroad Despita
the unbelief of the skeptic it is told that
IN san Francisco and elsewhere. as well
provisions placed beside the grave bav.
been known to mysteriousIy disapDear
Just what method the spirits employ in
so novel procedure viii aIwavs remain
mystery.
Nhen Chinaman dies in Washington il
is the signal for a gathering of his coun-
trymen from all parts of the city. Ere
quently the Celestials view the remains
prior to the funeral, and all true sons of
the Flowery Kingdom attend the obse-
quies. Wherever possible a Buddhist
priest is secured TO conduct the services.
His method includes among other novel
performances, the scattering along the
streets taken by the funeral procession.
of innumerable pieces Of brown paper
Each piece is pierced in the centre with
a small hole. for it is the belief of the
Mongolians that such precautiOn viii
frighten the most dangerous of evil spir-
its. In the cemetery tnis paper is sat
tered until the grave is reached.
Just before the coffin is lowered and
while many OF the deceased's friends ara
gathered about. a sort of litany is cha1t=
ed in rapid time, and all present wavs
their arms in a wild, seemingly unnatu-
raj fashion. AS the coffin is placed over
the grave wisps of scented paper. on
which are inscribed words in the language
of the FIOwery Kingdom, are lighted and
waved over the bier Almost simulta-
EeoUsly the basket containing provisions
is placed beside the coffin. Several mo-
nCutS are then given to an odd service,
after which the coffin is lowered into tbs
grave. while the mOnotonous chant con-
tinues. y small portion Of the feod pro-
Vidtd for the dead is then dropped upon
the coffin. and the work Of filing up the
grave is begun Al the head Of the grave
other fowls together with apples or fruit,
while at the foot large bowl of rice is
generally deposited for the use of the de-
parted.
According To Cinnamon far and wide.
this food is an absolute necessity. in or
der that the body of the dead MOngOliau
may be transferred to the domains Of
Euddha with full stomach. The spirit
OF the dead Celestial Is then supposed TO
be struggling TO escape from the grave.
So far from mis- native land. In month
or less the Celestials believe the depart
cd spirit of their dead brother will re-
uuire more subsistence. and consequently
a fresh supply of food is taken TO the
cemetery i'm due time and placed on the
grave. It viii remain there several
hours. and then De removed or destroyed
as it's uourjshng qualities are supposed to
have been exhausted by the body IN the
grave below.
Despite the spread of civilization, sons
of China will always adhere 10 their
Quaint custom for the burial of the dead,
IN orissinated thousands of years ago, and
viii always continue.