CHINESE FUNERALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14688, 24 May 1911, Page 9

CHINESE FUNERALS.

To the Anglo-Saxon Chinese funerals are grotesque in the extreme, and it is strange to watch the interesting ceremony while the interment is taking place. As the funoral starts from the late residence of the deceased Celestial small particles of coloured paper, on which are written meseages for tho spirit of the dead man, aro scattered about the road. From the carriages in which tho mourners rido are brought forth apples, roast pork, chickens cooked with their heads on, chopsuey, candies, and other delicacies, and a bottle containing water. A clean white cloth is then spread on tho ground at the foot of the grave, and tho delicacies aro arranged thereon. If any of the mourners aro hungry, they eat some of tho food, but most of it is left for tho spirit of the departed. i Each mourner is provided with a handleless cup, which is carefully filled with water from the bottle. Each man in turn then takes his place at the head of tho grave, puts his hands together, and kowtows three times; then drinks the water from the cup. Some of tho water is then spread about the grave, and several bunches of incense, which are placed at the head and foot of the grave, are ignited. The officiating priest then distributes a small donation of money to each of the mourners, the amounts varying according to the financial position the deceased Celestial occupied. The candy and apples arc then given outlaid are eaten during the filling up of trie grave. The mourners depart in tho merriest of moods, smoking and laughing as if returning from come entertainment*