Ancient Funeral Culture (II) (Main Core Aspects, with slight variations across dynasties)

📚 Elaborate Funeral Procedures 1. Measuring Breath and Summoning the Soul: Using new cotton to check for breathing to confirm death; facing the main gate and calling the deceased's name to summon their soul. 2. Washing and Dressing: Washing the body and dressing it in a specially made burial shroud. 3. Mouth Stuffing and Encoffining: Placing jewels or rice grains (mouth stuffing) in the mouth; placing the body into the coffin (encoffining). 4. Announcing the Death and Mourning Leave: Issuing a death notice. Officials whose parents passed away had to resign and return home (Ding You), otherwise it was considered extreme disobedience. 5. Reporting to the Temple and Hanging Mourning Cloth: Reporting the death to the City God or local deity temple to cancel the deceased's registration in the living world (Reporting to the Temple); hanging white cloth and lanterns in front of the door to show mourning (Hanging Mourning Cloth). 6. Bestowing Mourning Garments: Bestowing and changing into hemp mourning clothes and staffs of different grades according to kinship seniority. 7. Coffin and Casket Placement: Temporarily placing the coffin is called 'Bin'. The Western Zhou dynasty stipulated the number of coffins and outer coffins based on status (Emperor: four layers; officials: one coffin, one outer coffin); the wealthy used pine and cypress, the poor used willow. 8. Vigil and Condolences: Setting up a mourning hall in the living room, displaying the portrait, an odd number of offerings, and a brazier. Relatives and friends offer condolences, and family members keep vigil for 3, 5, or 7 days. 9. Farewell to the Deceased and Procession: The night before the procession, children bow to the coffin to bid farewell (Farewell to the Deceased); selecting a day for the coffin to be moved to the grave site (Procession). 10. Smashing the Urn and Lifting the Coffin: During the procession, the chief mourner (eldest son) smashes a pottery basin filled with burnt paper (Smashing the Urn), symbolizing items for the deceased to use in the afterlife. After the basin breaks, the pallbearers lift the coffin, commonly known as 'Eight Immortals carrying the coffin'. 11. Burial (Interment): Placing the coffin into the ground for burial and constructing the grave mound. Grave goods are placed beside the coffin. Before returning home, one must cross over a fire to wash hands, then enjoy a tofu banquet and give return gifts according to the deceased's age.