40 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL, I42 



small pieces of iron, for these would be very injurious to the de- 

 scendants of the deceased. The cofhn is then ceremonially closed and 

 sealed with cement, after which it is never opened. 



Coffins with thick walls are preferred, for then decay will occur 

 more slowly. Very poor people have coffins made of boards about an 

 inch thick, whereas wealthy people have coffins so thick that in the 

 funeral procession it takes many men to carry them. 



Buddhist and Taoist priests are called to perform the ceremony of 

 opening the way of the soul to Hades. During this ceremony fire- 

 crackers are set off, sacred books are chanted, and the gods are 

 worshiped. 



A few days after death a ceremony is performed called tso-tao- 

 ch'ang. It is supposed to be performed 7 days, but actually varies in 

 length from 2 to 20 days. The sacred books are chanted, accompanied 

 by the music of timbrels, and the soul of the deceased is enticed into 

 the spirit tablet, which is thereafter its permanent home. 



Before the funeral, many friends and relatives send gifts to the 

 family. These gifts include, among other things, food, money, spirit 

 cash or paper, firecrackers, and pairs of scrolls on which are written 

 statements and sentiments complimentary to the deceased. In return, 

 the givers are invited to the funeral feast, which is generally a big 

 and sumptuous occasion. 



An auspicious spot must be chosen for the grave. It has to be a 

 place where the fcngshiii is good, and generally a tuan kiing or a 

 fengshui professor chooses the site. If the fcnghsui of the burial 

 site is good, the descendants will prosper, but if not, they will have 

 bad luck and suffer calamities. 



Penuriousness and economy in expenditures for funerals, coffins, 

 and tombs are looked upon as being unfilial and unpleasing to the 

 ancestors. Many families therefore spend beyond their means for 

 these items, incurring debts which handicap them for many years. 



The funeral procession is generally very impressive. Many relatives 

 and friends march in the parade, as well as the musicians who play the 

 funeral music, and Buddhist and Taoist priests. A live cock is 

 perched on the coffin to keep away demons, for demons are afraid of 

 roosters. If a son is an official or a military officer, a group of 

 soldiers with guns may be included in the procession to add dignity 

 and numbers. The oldest son, dressed in sackcloth, walks ahead of 

 the coffin supported by two friends and using a cane. Firecrackers 

 are set off at the beginning and at the end of the procession, and 

 spirit money is burned. 



