In Chinese tradition, bereaved family members of a deceased will set up a home altar for the purpose of ancestor worship after funeral. The altar normally includes a photograph of the deceased, an inscription of its name on a memorial tablet and urn for offerings. Daily or twice-daily offerings are made to ensure the deceased has a good start in the afterlife. Necessities such as the deceased's favourite food and drink are placed on the altar.
Altar is usually taken down after 49 days, the period during which the deceased is believed to be undergoing judgment in the netherworld. After that, the deceased is worshipped along with all the other ancestors of the family by inserting its name next to the patrilineal ancestors. Ancestral tablet is a piece of wood inscribed with the name of the deceased. It is kept in a small shrine at home or in the clan ancestral temple. Incense is lit before the tablet daily and offerings of food and prostrations are presented twice a month.
Chinese family members will engage taoist priests to conduct a Salvation of Ancestors Rite aka Gongteck Prayers Ceremony on the deceased’s death anniversary. Intrinsic to the prayer ceremony is ancestor worship, where traditionally the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities during the ceremony would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense and joss paper, papier-mache form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods for the deceased as well as visiting spirits of the ancestors. Elaborate meals would be served with empty seats for their ancestors in the family treating them as if they are still living.
Altar is usually taken down after 49 days, the period during which the deceased is believed to be undergoing judgment in the netherworld. After that, the deceased is worshipped along with all the other ancestors of the family by inserting its name next to the patrilineal ancestors. Ancestral tablet is a piece of wood inscribed with the name of the deceased. It is kept in a small shrine at home or in the clan ancestral temple. Incense is lit before the tablet daily and offerings of food and prostrations are presented twice a month.
Chinese family members will engage taoist priests to conduct a Salvation of Ancestors Rite aka Gongteck Prayers Ceremony on the deceased’s death anniversary. Intrinsic to the prayer ceremony is ancestor worship, where traditionally the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities during the ceremony would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense and joss paper, papier-mache form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods for the deceased as well as visiting spirits of the ancestors. Elaborate meals would be served with empty seats for their ancestors in the family treating them as if they are still living.
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