Hakka funeral traditions are deeply rooted in a strong sense of respect for the deceased, reflecting the importance of honoring ancestors and ensuring the continuity of the family lineage. These customs have been meticulously preserved for over two centuries, with little change, emphasizing the importance of tradition in the Hakka community.
Respecting the Final Moments
When a respected elder falls gravely ill, it is customary for relatives, both near and far, to gather and offer their support. Family members who are away from home make every effort to return and fulfill their filial duties. As the elder reaches the end of life, the family cleanses the body and dresses the individual in clean clothing, a ritual that symbolizes the transition from life to death. The body is then moved to the left side of the main hall, with the head facing inward and the feet outward, a practice known as “shouzhong zhengqin” (dying at home in peace).
Rituals Following Death
Upon the passing of the elder, the family immediately begins mourning and burns joss paper as an offering to the deceased. A meal of rice with a pair of chopsticks and a duck egg, known as “jiao wei fan” (foot meal), is placed at the deceased’s feet. Alternatively, an oil lamp, referred to as “jiao wei deng” (foot lamp), may be lit. Family members take turns keeping vigil over the body, ensuring that it is never left unattended.
A temporary paper tablet representing the deceased, known as “hun bo,” is placed on the altar. The main entrance of the home is adorned with white strips of paper bearing the words “ji zhong” or “zhi zhong,” indicating the family’s mourning. Once the date of the funeral is set, the family prints obituary notices to inform relatives and friends.
Preparing for the Funeral
The family purchases a coffin, and upon its arrival, they perform a ritual of mourning at the entrance of the home. The coffin is then placed in the main hall, where the deceased is ceremoniously bathed and dressed in burial clothes. The body is laid to rest in the coffin, with family members gathered around to mourn. This process, known as “qin shi han lian” (personally witnessing the interment), is followed by the sealing of the coffin with large iron nails, a practice referred to as “feng guan” (sealing the coffin).
The coffin is then placed in the main hall, where it remains until the funeral. A spirit tablet is placed beside it, and a special mourning flag, or “qi fan,” is created. This flag, often made of green cloth for males and yellow cloth for females, is adorned with patterns and the deceased’s name, birth, and death dates. It is attached to a bamboo pole with leaves and is used throughout the mourning period.
Mourning and Paying Respects
The mourning period begins with rituals on the sixth and seventh days after death, known as “shou liu” and “shou qi,” respectively. These ceremonies involve offerings and prayers to honor the deceased. The family and close relatives keep vigil in the mourning hall, a space draped in white cloth, where they observe strict mourning customs. They abstain from meat and alcohol, and their meals are simple and frugal.
Typically, the funeral takes place around the seventh day after death. For prominent families, the day before the funeral is marked by the “ying ju” ceremony, where relatives and notable community members deliver eulogies. For ordinary families, the eulogies are prepared by the family patriarch for men and by the mother’s family for women.
The Funeral Procession
On the day of the funeral, the family members don their mourning attire, with children and grandchildren dressed in hemp garments, a practice known as “pi ma dai xiao.” The funeral procession is a solemn affair, with the deceased’s spirit tablet, accompanied by offerings, carried ahead of the coffin. The procession includes banners, wreaths, and a ceremonial escort. The family leads the way, followed by the coffin, and mourners express their grief through wailing and lamentation.
The final resting place of the deceased is chosen carefully, with rituals conducted to ensure a peaceful transition to the afterlife. The family returns home after the burial to set up a temporary shrine, where they continue to make offerings and pay their respects until the 100th day after death.
Conclusion of Mourning
The mourning period concludes with a series of rituals, including the “qi qi” (seven sevens) ceremony, which marks the 49th day after death. This is followed by the “bai ri” (100th day) ceremony, where the family removes their mourning attire and burns the spirit tablet and other funeral items. The final ceremony, “kaimu” (opening the tomb), takes place three to five years later, when the bones are exhumed, placed in an urn, and reburied in a permanent grave.
Hakka funeral customs are a profound expression of respect for the deceased and the ancestors, preserving the connection between the living and those who have passed on. These traditions, passed down through generations, ensure that the deceased are honored and remembered, and that the family lineage continues unbroken.
客家葬礼传统的重要性：尊重祖先并确保家族延续
客家葬礼传统深深植根于对逝者的尊重，体现了对祖先的敬仰和确保家族血脉延续的重要性。这些习俗在过去两个世纪中被细致地保存下来，几乎没有改变，强调了传统在客家社区中的重要性。
尊重生命的最后时刻
当一位德高望重的长者病危时，亲属们，无论远近，都会聚集在一起提供支持。离家在外的家人会尽力返乡，履行孝道。当长者生命走到尽头时，家人会为其净身，并换上整洁的衣物，象征着从生到死的过渡。随后将遗体移至正厅左侧，头部朝内、足部朝外，这一过程被称为“寿终正寝”。
身后仪式
长者去世后，家人立即开始守孝并焚烧纸钱作为对逝者的供奉。在逝者足边放置一碗白米饭和一双筷子及一只鸭蛋，这称为“脚尾饭”。另一种方式是点燃一盏油灯，称为“脚尾灯”。家人轮流守护遗体，确保其始终有人看守。
在灵桌上摆放一块代表逝者的临时纸牌，称为“魂帛”。家宅正门上挂上写有“急丧”或“知丧”字样的白纸条，表示家中有人过世。一旦确定葬礼日期，家人会印制讣告，通知亲友。
为葬礼做准备
家人购置棺材，并在棺材到达家门时进行哀悼仪式。棺材被安置在正厅，家人随后为逝者沐浴并穿上寿衣，将其放入棺中，家属在旁守灵。这一过程称为“亲视含殓”，随后用大铁钉封棺，称为“封棺”。
棺材停放在正厅，直到葬礼当天。灵桌上摆放着灵位，并制作一面特制的“旗幡”。这面旗幡通常为男性用绿色布，女性用黄色布，上面绣有花纹及逝者的姓名、出生和去世日期。旗幡挂在带叶子的竹杆上，在守丧期间使用。
守丧与致敬
守丧期间，家人会在去世后的第六天和第七天分别举行“守六”和“守七”仪式，供奉和祈祷以表对逝者的敬意。家人和亲属在灵堂守灵，灵堂以白布装饰，严格遵守丧葬礼仪。他们避免食用肉类和饮酒，餐食简单朴素。
一般来说，葬礼在去世后的第七天左右举行。对于显赫家族来说，葬礼前一天会举行“迎举”仪式，亲友和社区重要人物会致悼词。对于普通家庭，悼词由家族长辈为男性准备，母族为女性准备。
葬礼队伍
葬礼当天，家人穿上丧服，子孙们穿戴麻布衣物，称为“披麻戴孝”。葬礼队伍庄严肃穆，逝者的灵牌连同供品走在棺材之前。队伍包括旗幡、花圈和仪仗队，家人带领队伍，棺材随后，哀悼者通过哭丧表达悲痛之情。
逝者的安息地经过慎重选择，进行仪式以确保顺利进入来生。下葬后，家人回到家中，设立临时牌位，并在百日内继续祭拜和致敬。
守丧结束
守丧期在一系列仪式后结束，包括第49天的“七七”祭礼，之后是“百日”仪式，家人脱下丧服，焚烧灵牌及其他丧葬物品。最后的仪式是“开墓”，通常在三到五年后进行，骨骸会被置于骨灰瓮中并重新埋葬在永久墓地。
客家葬礼传统是对逝者和祖先的深切敬意表达，保持了生者与逝者之间的联系。这些代代相传的习俗确保了逝者被尊敬和记忆，家族血脉得以延续。
