On Saying our Prayers

It was a typical Hakka traditional funeral I suppose. It lasted for 3 days before she was being burried.

She was of a ripe age of 84. She has 7 sons, and 2 daughters. She has numerous grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. So it was indeed a huge family gathering.

Cousins and relatives flew in from Penang and KL, Singapore, Brunei and Philipines.

She was lying peacefully in the coffin. And she was vaguely grinning with parts of her teeth showing. I swear sometimes I saw her chest moving.

Eldest aunt were wailing a lot in the house. The first time I saw all my uncles crying.

Lots of people came. Since she has 9 children, of whom 2 are daughters and the rest sons. And colleagues and clients of her sons, they came to pay her the last respect.

She was burried in the mid-day sun. All her children and grandchildren threw flowers into her grave before walking away without looking back.



See, I don't know if I could blog about it. The funeral procession I mean. With pictures as well. Not that I have much education about the tradition. What's more, from what we see, there were both Buddhism and Taoism involved. Long hours of mantra chanting. And lots of Hakka chanting as well.

I have some pictures taken during the funeral. Of the flowers given. Of some of the Taoism procession. Of the altar and the coffin even. Up till she was burried. My parents don't know about it. And I'm sure they'll be asking me to delete them all if they know.

Should I blog about it? Or should I not?

But anyways...

I'm glad she's gone. Everyone else in the family is too. She's been suffering too much. She's been troubling herself and those who love her.



Despite not being as close to her, I'm saying my prayers. That she's going to a happier place.

Rest in peace, my dear Ah-Ma.