Two generations of military wives compete for time

Chapter 334 Gao Pan and Gao Weizhe, father and son, reunite.

Gao Pan held his father's hand, tears streaming down his face. Gao Pan's younger brother said, "Brother, Dad is gone. He is finally free. He doesn't have to work hard or suffer from illness anymore. Now is not the time to cry. We should hold a funeral for Dad and let him rest in peace."

Gao Pan nodded, wiped his tears with his hands and said, "Brother, I don't understand the customs of holding funerals in the village. You arrange it, and I will listen to you."

Gao Pan's younger brother said, "Brother, there are people in the village who specialize in wedding and funeral ceremonies. I will go to them for help. You just stay at home and look after Dad."

Funerals in rural areas of northern provinces usually follow traditional customs and have strong local cultural characteristics. The main processes and characteristics are:

1. Reporting a death

Notify relatives and friends: When someone in the family dies, the family will send someone to notify relatives and friends, which is called "announcement of death."

Arrange the mourning hall: set up a mourning hall in the main house or courtyard, and place portraits, offerings and incense sticks.

2. Keep vigil

Family members keep vigil: Family members take turns keeping vigil, which usually lasts three days, during which time relatives and friends come to pay their respects.

Burning paper money: During the wake, family members will burn paper money to express their remembrance of the deceased.

3. Burial

Cleansing and dressing: cleansing the body of the deceased and changing into funeral clothes, which are mostly traditional styles.

Coffining: Placing the deceased in a coffin, which is usually made of wood and is mostly black or red in color.

4. Funeral

Choosing an auspicious time: The funeral time is decided by a Feng Shui master or an elder.

Funeral procession: The procession includes family members, relatives, friends and a band, which plays funeral music.

Scattering paper money: Scattering paper money along the way means paving the way for the deceased.

5. Burial

Cemetery selection: The cemetery is selected by a Feng Shui master who pays attention to Feng Shui.

Burial ceremony: After the coffin is placed in the grave, the family members fill the grave with soil and finally erect a tombstone.

6. Funeral Banquet

Thanking relatives and friends: After the funeral, the family members hold a banquet to thank relatives and friends. The dishes are simple, mostly local home-cooked dishes.

7. Memorial

The first seven days of memorial service: On the seventh day after the death of the deceased, the family members hold a memorial service, burning paper money and burning incense.

Anniversary Memorial: Every year on the deceased’s death anniversary, the family will hold an anniversary memorial.

8. Other customs

Wearing mourning clothes: Family members wear white mourning clothes, mourning hats or mourning belts. The mourning period is usually one year.

Taboos: There are many taboos during funerals, such as avoiding festive activities and not wearing bright clothes.

In general, funerals in rural northern provinces retain many traditional customs and solemn ceremonies, reflecting respect for the deceased and the inheritance of traditional culture. With the development of society, these customs have been simplified.

On the morning of July 10, Gao Pan came to the Gaojia Village Committee Office and called Ming Yuanhui on the landline: "Brother Yuanhui, my father passed away on July 8. Please talk to Gao Weizhe and ask him to return to Gaojia Village to attend my grandfather's funeral. If Gao Weizhe doesn't want to go back to Gaojia Village, don't force him. I won't blame him."

Ming Yuanhui said in a sad tone on the other end of the phone: "Gao Pan, please accept my condolences. The dead cannot be resurrected. I will go back to the Chen Mansion to find Gao Weizhe and persuade him to return to Gaojia Village to attend Grandpa's funeral. Wait for my news."

Ming Yuanhui hung up the phone, went downstairs, drove back to Chen's house, and went straight to Gao Weizhe's bedroom in the second courtyard. Ding ding ding, Gao Weizhe heard a knock on the door and immediately got out of bed to open it.

"Uncle Ming, why are you here?" Gao Weizhe asked in surprise.

"Gao Weizhe, uncle has something to tell you. Is it convenient now?" Ming Yuanhui said in a negotiating tone.

"It's convenient. Uncle Ming, please sit down. I just took the college entrance examination and no one is forcing me to review my lessons. I have plenty of time now. Sorry, the room is a bit messy, hehe." Gao Weizhe said with a smile.

Ming Yuanhui sat on a chair next to the desk and motioned Gao Weizhe to sit down as well. Gao Weizhe obediently sat on the edge of the bed, pretending to listen attentively.

Ming Yuanhui said with a serious expression: "Gao Weizhe, your father is marrying up. He was released from prison in April this year. The first thing he did was to come to the northern provincial capital to visit his son. However, he hesitated again and again, fearing that it would affect your studies and your college entrance examination results. Therefore, your father decided not to rush to meet you. He was patient and insisted on waiting until you finished the college entrance examination before meeting you. I hope you can understand your father."

Gao Weizhe nodded and asked, "Uncle Ming, where is Dad? Do you want to meet him?"

Ming Yuanhui said, "It's been nearly ten years since I last saw my father. Do you miss him? Do you still remember what he looked like? Your father wants to see you very much, but he's afraid that you hate him, resent him, and look down on him. He feels conflicted. I want to know what you're thinking."

Gao Weizhe thought for a moment and said, "In my heart, Dad is a tall, handsome soldier. I admire him very much. Ever since he committed a crime and went to prison, I can't imagine what Dad is like. Anyway, he is my dad, so I have to love him and care about him. Please take me to see Dad as soon as possible."

Ming Yuanhui said: "Gao Weizhe, you have grown up and become sensible. Let's go to Gaojia Village, Daoguan Township, to meet your father. There is one more thing I want to tell you. Your grandfather passed away on July 7, two days ago.

According to local customs, as the eldest grandson of the Gao family, you need to attend your grandfather's funeral in an orderly manner, try not to be rebellious, and do as your father says. Can you accept it? Your father repeatedly said that if Gao Weizhe does not want to attend the funeral, he can not attend, don't worry about it. "

Gao Weizhe said: "I will go. Although I am not very old, I have attended many funerals, including those of my grandparents and mother. When I was a child, I didn't know why funerals were held for the dead. Now that I have grown up, I have more or less understood the significance of funerals."

Ming Yuanhui said: "Hurry up and pack your luggage. You may have to stay at Grandpa's house in Gaojia Village for a few days. Remember to bring the necessary toiletries and clothes that need to be changed.

Here is two thousand yuan, take it and give it to your father when the time comes. We need money for grandpa's funeral. I'll go to the kitchen and get some food to put in the car so we can eat on the way."

Gao Weizhe took the two thousand yuan given by Uncle Ming, took his school backpack, put the money in the innermost compartment of the backpack, and began to pack his luggage.