中英雙語話中國民風民俗 第32期:埋葬

The Burial

埋葬

Chinese cemeteries are generally located on hillsides as this is thought to improve the feng shui. The further up the hill the grave is,the better its situation is thought to be. When the procession arrives at the graveside it is taken down from the hearse and,again,all present turn away from the coffin, and also turn away when it is lowered into the grave. Family members and other relatives throw a handful of earth into the grave before it is filled. After the funeral,all clothes worn by the mourners will be burned in order to avoid the bad luck associated with death. After the coffin is buried, the keeper of the cemetery will also offer prayers for the deceased. Family members and relatives are presented with a red packet (a sign of gratitude from the deceased family, and the money contained in it must be spent) and a white towel,also as a sign of gratitude but also for funeral guests to wipe off perspiration.

中國的墓地一般都設在山坡上，因爲這被認爲是可以改善風水的。山坡和墳墓越高被認爲是風水越好。當送葬隊伍到達墳墓取下靈車上的棺材，並再次，所有在場的人避開棺材，轉身離去，使其降入墓穴。家庭成員和其他親屬扔一把土在墳墓裏在墳墓被填滿之前。葬禮之後，所有送葬穿的衣服都會被燒掉，以避免與死亡相關的厄運。棺葬之後，守墓者會爲死者祈禱。家人和親戚都帶有一個紅包（感謝死者家的標誌，以及必須要用紅包裏的錢）和一條白色的毛巾，也可以作爲一個感激的標誌，但也可爲殯葬客人擦去汗漬。