Gongteck Prayers Ceremony at Yishun Private Estate, Singapore

Ancestor worship is a religious practice based on the belief that bereaved family members have their continued existence. The act is a way to respect and to provide for the deceased welfare in the afterlife, which is envisioned as being similar to the earthly life. Being an important aspect of the Chinese tradition and practise, the social function of ancestor worship is therefore to cultivate kinship values like filial piety, family loyalty and continuity of the family lineage.



Ancestor worship is a family affair, it is held at home, ancestral temple and consists of offering joss stick, serving as communication and greetings to the deceased, prayers and offering items before tablet.



Rituals are performed to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased. Taoist ceremony for passed on formed part of ancestor worship which bereaved family members of the deceased would engage the service of taoist priest for prayers and acts of penance for the dead so as to offer the deceased a quest for spiritual enlightenment. 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. Elaborate meals would be served with empty seat for the deceased treating the deceased as if it is still living.