The Funeral 2

Three days on...

The day of the funeral has arrived, and the invited guests dressed in black colored clothes started walking in the premises. There were a lot of cars parked at the pouch and outside the house.

At the courtyard, the rectangular brown colored coffin could be seen, it was opened and it shows that the corpse is not inside it yet.

Inside the house, the families prepared the joss paper, it was also known as the spirit paper, the paper was going to be in form of a fake paper money, and tiny miniature items like cars, televisions, clothes and houses, depending on the the one that the deceased person likes while he was alive.

The families decided to burn the fake paper money.

The burnt joss paper is believed to follow the dead person to the netherworld and shall never lack anything he needs there.

The family members carried the bundle of fake paper money to the courtyard, Xiao peng who was the father if the deceased shall burn the papers.

After the burning of the paper, the priest in charge of dressing and preparing corpses brought Xiao Shuang body forward, get was dressed in his favorite black tuxedo, but with no shoes on.

The rest of his clothes were going to be burned after the funeral.

He was laid on a mat while the priest applied more talcum powder on his face.

And next the guest will have to say the eulogy, since Xiao Shuang had done a lot of kind things to people, especially his employees. Almost everybody has one or two things to say about him while they wept.

"He is the kindest man ever, sir had assisted me financially in a countless number of times. He helped take my ill mother to the hospital" A woman cried.

"Boss, hosted a party after his return from England, and he gave all of us presents"

"Sir, provided for me and my one, he is the one paying their fees"

"Boss, always provides for the children at the orphanage, he bought them clothes during Christmas and often provide them with foods and drinks"

"Sir is a very kind person, we all wish him eternal rest" The principal of the orphanage handed Zhi Ruo a bouquet of white chrysanthemum flowers.

"Sir is the.." They continued.

While people said the eulogy, the Xiao family were at least glad that nice things were said about Xiao Shuang. Unlike many other funerals were only one or two peoples spoke about a few things the person had done while he was alive.

After the eulogy had been said, the families will have to distribute red packet with a coin inside, the red packet shows that everyone shall return home safely.

All the guest waited in turn as the red packet was given to them.

After the red packet was distributed, An Ruan went inside the house to bring the carton of candy that had to be distributed.

The candy had to be consumed that same day, it was part of the culture that the candy must be eaten that same day, otherwise something bad could happen to the guests.

After the distribution of candy, the handkerchief, will be distributed, and used at the funeral.

The envelope containing the candy, coin and handkerchief should not be taken home, otherwise, it could cause something very strange to the family.

The Xiao family all looked bereaved as they saw Xiao Shuang body, no one could believe that he is lifeless, one could even mistook him to be sleeping.

After the distribution, one last thing had to be given to the guest.

The red thread, it must be given to the guest to avoid evil spirits. The guests would have to take the thread home and tie it to the front door knob that is facing outside.

After everything everyone then walked to the courtyard to wait for the body.

The two priests carried the body to the courtyard, while it was been lowered inside the coffin, everyone will have to turn their back and avoid looking at the scene.

Once Xiao Shuang body was placed inside the coffin, Zhi Ruo and the remaining family member broke into tears.

Then the coffin was nailed shut, and the car came forward, The hired band and professional mourners were all dressed in black, a large photo of Xiao Shuang was hanged on the windshield.

The band were to play the drum to scare evil spirits, while the family, guest and mourners followed the band.

They all wore a cloth band in their left arm, since the deceased was a man, it was wore in the left hand.

Everyone followed the coffin to the gravesite, and when the coffin was about to be lowered in the ground, the entire family faced back as well. This is to make sure that the soul of the deceased doesn't get trapped inside the coffin and grave.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Ran went out first and poured a handful of dirts and sand on the coffin. Before the grave was covered.

While the priest covered the grave with sand, all the entire family burst into tears.

This was an awful and unforgettable memory for them.

And it was time to leave, Xiao Yan and his cousin couldn't believe that they were leaving their brother, and would never see him again.

Both of them broke into tears and entered the car, they drove off slowly, while some of the family member walked behind the band.

Zhi Ruo had collapsed at the doorstep, her heartbeat became so fast, and she lose her consciousness.

The daughter-in-laws quickly carried their mother inside the house, they switched on the ceiling fan, and fanned her.

Water was sprinkled on her face as well.

And she woke up after some minutes.

"Can someone tell me where my son is?" She cried. "Where is Xiao Shuang? where is he? I want to see him now! I want to see him in person" She wailed.

Other family members also burst into tears when Zhi Ruo spoke.

"Mother, just be calm, brother-in-law is with God now, he is happy" An Ruan consoled her.

But Zhi Ruo continued to weep, Xiao peng was comforted by Xiao Ran and Xiao Yan.

The family member need to start preparing for mourning which shall last for hundred days.

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A/N:

I had written the funeral traditions according to the Chinese customs in which I google searched.

Please tell me wherever needs to be fixed.

♡´･ᴗ･`♡

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This book is originally published on webnovel.com.