An Insight Into Bereavement Within China

Chinese society takes burials as seriously, if not more so, than other cultures around the world. The prolonged mournings that arose from Confucius Chinese tradition are still the norm today, and those that do not follow that tradition as part of funeral proceedings, along with various other ones, are said to be risking the fortune and fate of the whole of the deceased's family.

After death, the corpse is cleaned and dressed in his/her best clothes, although never in red, which is the colour of happiness. All other clothing of the deceased is burned and before being placed in the coffin the face and body are covered with cloth, in preparation for the start of the funeral ceremony.

So, exactly how long does a Chinese funeral ceremony last for? Well, traditionally it lasts over 49 days, with prayer services being held every 7-10 days during that time, a final burial taking place as the concluding event.

At the final burial, mourners surround the coffin, with their exact position being dependent on their rank in the family. There is an expectation for certain family members to wear certain colors, with black not being the only color worn. It is also customary for blood relatives and daughters-in-law to wail and cry as a sign of respect for the deceased. Any late arrivals must crawl towards the coffin.

The next step if for the coffin to be nailed shut. 'Holy' paper will then be pasted on to the coffin so as to protect the deceased from malignant spirits. The coffin is then placed in a hearse, which will drive it very slowly to the site where it will be placed in the ground.

The wake must last at least one day to allow for the offering of prayers, and a monk chants at night to ease the passage of the deceased's soul into heaven. After the funeral all clothes worn by the mourners are burned to avoid bad luck associated with the death. The mourning period, symbolised by a piece of colored cloth worn on the sleeve, continues for a further 100 days.

The way that the Chinese deal with large scale death is also worth noting. As a land prone to considerable seismic activity, China is no stranger to bereavement affecting it on a national scale. In 2008 over 70,000 people died in the massive earthquake that shook Sichuan and the surrounding provinces and China saw an unprecedented level of mourning, lasting three days.

A nationwide silence was undertaken for three minutes, with everything from the stock exchange to airports adhering to it. Flags flew at half-mast and people placed flowers alongside burning candles, with thousands holding photos of their dead children or burning paper money as an offering. All forms of public entertainment were temporarily cancelled, and all television presenters wore black for at least a day.