“Sent” my aunt off on Thursday. Had driving lesson before that. Took a day off.
Sheesh, the “band” at the ceremony were quite jia lat, playing poker and stuff before commencement. Even after it started, there was this man using his phone while playing the cymbal. And the trumpet guy was blowing it with one hand.
It was a traditional taoist ceremony by the way. So had the usual scattering of incense paper as a way of sending her off. It started off sounding really corny when I heard the loud-and-noisy version of “shi shang zhi you mama hao”. Then as we started walking in circles around the coffin, gosh, i dunno what happened, but it felt damn damn downright heart-breaking.
People were starting to cry and cry. No one cried for the past few days. So I got kinda shocked. Then it got worse; even heartless me felt my eyes turning red. Damn sheesh. Luckily I hard-hearted enough. Managed to tahan. My jie couldn’t take it and broke down. Cried like hell when they were closing the coffin.
Then proceeded to send her to the crematorium. Lotsa people started crying again when she got pushed into the er..furnace(?).
Anyway it was the first cremation I’ve ever been to. I think it’s quite convenient and eco-friendly. Decided to opt for it when my turn comes.
This funeral set me thinking quite alot. I realized that this is the first funeral of someone fairly close to that I’ve attended. With much reluctance, I realize that more is to come. I don’t know how I’m gonna react when I suddenly get news that my so-and-so has passed away. I refuse to mention names cos that’s so unlucky haha.
Sigh I guess what must come must come.
I believe I made alot of people smile when I was born. I hope that I will make alot of people cry when I die =)
Well, kang kang, dont be too sad abt it.. it’s part and puzzle of life, born-life-old age-death. everyone would have to go through this cycle. wat matters most is that we make full use of our life that god gave us.
Just for the crying when you were walking ard the coffin, for your info, when my grandma passed away that time, i was still overseas doing my overseas training for national service, lucky managed to be back in time for the funeral, for the three-five days wake, i seldom cried, but like u, when the coffin is abt to close, i cried the most, as my grandma really treat me very well. then when she was pushed into the burner, i cried again, even though not supposed to, as heard that if cry the dead would not be able to go peacefully, but not sure if it’s true.
Well, anyway, take care and keep in touch.
Till then.
thomas