The National tribune., 1901-10-17
CHINESE FUNERALS.
Peculiar Burial Rites of The
CelestiaIs.
BY LILLIAN HERRoD.

Every trade in Canton is carried on in
a particular street or quarter of the city.
The shops of the coffin-makers have very
gay appearance, as the collins are usually
painted red or some equally gaudy color,
the more expensive ones being decorated
profusely with gliding. They are placed
upon shelves, one above the other, the
prices ranging according to the elaborate
ness.
A Chinaman is often whimsical about
his coffin, and 1t is the custom for Il man
to procure it while in full vigor of health.
The proprietor of the shop performs ful-
nerals," supplies flags, fag-bearers, Ian
terms, and lantern bearers, sedan chairs,
and the bearers, and every species of dec
Grafton and dress required for or suitable
for such occasions.
Funeral attires are never expensive or
difficult to obtain, being made of un-
bleached cloth, this being the invariable
mourning worn by all, from the highest
mandarin to the lowest coolie. Even the
shoes worn are made OF the same mate
rial, and cords or twists of the same are
plated into the hair.
Every Spring and Summer the graves
of the departed ancestors are visited and
offerings of various descriptions made.
w illc 10 DOuItu upon lLt EIOuHu anu
prayers are addressed to propitiate the
ghosts of the departed. Occasionally Il
deputy is sent to perform this office, and a
man may be seen going around from grave
to grave with basins of rice fish, and
meat leaving edbles at the tOmbs of those
for whom they were designed. All ranks
pay this tribute of respect to the dead.
The tribute offered to the memory of
departed sages and philosophers is rather
a 81
from an elevated position in the courtyard
of the temple discourses upon the learn
ing and benevolence of the deceased phi
losopher and the benefits derived from
bis writings, advising all persons TO fol-
low his example. An altar is laid out,
covered with bowls of savOry edibles, fruit,
and flowers. On either side is a lamb
and pig, which are to be sacrificed in
honor Of the departed sages. Some of the
blood is caught in bowl and spriniled
upon the ground. The bodies of the vic
the conclusion of the service they are cut
up and distributed among the friends.
Iombs and sepulcherS are always built
outside the city walls, usually upon a hill
The best sites are always selected, the
crest of a hill being generally chosen. On
these places are planted cypress and pine
trees. The shape is generally a horseshoe
or pyramid col0red or whitened, on which
IS written the name of the deceased.
The poor place their collins upon posts
driven into the ground. These posts are
covered with large board, upon which
rests the coffin, rooted over with slanting
boards. Upon the board are placed bowls
of rice, fruit, flowers, and a small roasted
pig. After little the collins are covered
with earth FIVE or six feet in hight, shaped
like n pyramid. In these mounds are
made four round holes, TO allow the de-
parted spirit to wander in and out at its
pleasure. On these are planted flowers
and a species of white. feathery grass,
and from distance they resemble bee
hives. | '..s.''st
The tOmbs of the mandarins often have
much elaborate carving bestowed upon
them. The coffin is lowered into vault.
over which earth is piled to the hight of
II or 13 feet. This is plastered with a
mixture which makes it impervious to
rain, while around these are planted trees
in twos-two cypress. then two pine. then
two cypress, until the round is finished.
Near the sepulcher is placed long table
or slab made of stone or marble on which
is placed candlesticks and jars to hold joss
sticks or incense. On either side are
placed men or animals in pairs, whose at
tltudes are expressive of grief.
Although the laws of China prohibit
the burial of the dead within the walls of
their cities, towns, and villages, vet they
are allowed to keep the collins contain
ing the remains as long as they choose.
them from village to village. I'M
til the ancestoral tomb is reached: for no
son would be so unfilial as not to lay the
remains of his father in the tomb of his
ancestors. But they must always be
Kept on the outside of the community.
The cotfins are made of thick planks, the
joining being carefully done.
As soon as the family is convinced that
life has left the body, it is arranged in
robes of state, or most costly apparel:
additions are not performed
The collins of the wealthy are six TO
eight inches thick, covered interiorlv with
pitch, externally either painted or carved
An embroidered pillow is
placed under the head. cotton and lime
are strewn in the coffin, cotton being
stuffed around the body to keep it in posi-
ton.
For seven days the nearest relatives of
the deceased sit around the coffin on mats
Of the coarsest reed, abstaining from meat
and wine. The coffin is covered with
white cloth and placed in the main room.
before an altar, on which is an efIigy of
the deceased, or a tablet of carved wood
on which the name is inscribed This is
SUI ipuiiu'h Win llSnteu JoSS-StlckS. Orna-
mental devices or jars filed with flowers:
while behind the curtain are the females.
who give utterance to occasional cries.
These relatives or friends are received
by the eldest son. They PROSTATE them
selves before the coffin. while the son
gives vent TO cries or groans. After they
place wax candles or lighted joss-sticks
On the altar, they are ushcred into another
room to partake of swcctmeats, tea, and
fruit.
When the day of the funeral is decided
upon notice is sent to all relations and
friends. and all deem it imperative that
they should attend. The procession is
preceded by attendants. bearing gigantic |
figures of slaves, animals, flags, upon