Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[verossa]

most chinese funerals hold in my hometown(indonesia) last for 7 days and a small number of chinese hold the funeral for 5 days/
do you know why it's hold for such a long time?
it is believed that through the long period of funeral will help the family and friends to gradually accept the death of their beloved ones and to reduce the sorrow.

old-chinese ppl say,it gives time to the dead as well to accept the fact that the former has died and to walk into down-world,(ying jian)

as it's a new ghost and may take a hard time to adapt to the down world.so the 7 days or 5 days funeral allow the soul to be with the family and friends.it's some form like an accompanionship for both parties to walk through the last stage of life

the old-chinese ppl is my indonesian chinese neighbours and my mother,
i dunno if it's reliable

anyone want to comment/discuss about chinese funeral or your own culture's funeral?feel free to do so