Closing Ceremony for Grandma

Yesterday was the 'closing ceremony' of mourning for my maternal Grandma's passing away. This marks the official end of the 3-year mourning period customarily observed by our traditions. In actual fact, it is only 2 years, but tradition again says it is considered a 3-year period.

These scenes were almost similar to that of her funeral, except that her body is not there. And there were no wreaths or visitors, except the closest family members.

Once again, we changed into our mourning clothes -- white for  Grandma's children, blue for her grandchildren and green for her great grandchildren.

Tears still rolled down cheeks as the Taoist monk led us in a chant of prayer, and we bowed and offered respect in smokes of joss sticks for her. Roast pork, rice cakes, buns filled with meat, and more were laid out on a table in front of her -- the party organized for heaven, by earth.

According to Taoist Chinese beliefs, her spirit is in another dimension, and as we offer and call upon her spirit, she comes and consumes of the dishes in her own way. Our family got her a new home with 2 servants, and a new Mercedez with a driver, as Grandma can't drive!

These were taken to be burnt, and the belief is that she will receive this gift in the other world and it will be her earthly family's gift, adding to a beautiful life there for her.

Folded paper money for the afterworld, representing gold and silver ingots were added by the sackful.

One last roundsof remembrance led by the monk ringing a bell.

Then, with a light of fire, the paper house, servants, car and all kinds of wealth burnt beautifully and was 'transfered' immediately and received by Grandma. 

We then went home and changed out of our mourning outfits, and into red attire to signify life on earth. And my uncle, her eldest son, whose house was her 'official' residence on earth, hung up the red banner of abundance again. The four words from right to left are “金玉满堂” which directly translated means "gold & jade fill our halls."

Her death was exactly one week from Chinese New Year, a time that was filled with so much love and magic, that it challenged my own beliefs in the existence of the loving spirit beings in another dimension. 

http://irriessechia.blogspot.my/2015/05/grandma-guan-yin-and-spiritual-beings.html (My blog post from 2015)

My 6th sense has proven stronger over the last 3-4 years. I took this impromptu photo the year we gave her a grand birthday. She passed on one year after. 

And our journey continues...