in2ebook Chapter 262: Taking Care of the Funeral for the Former Ancestor
Chapter 262: Taking Care of the Funeral for the Former Ancestor
Qian Yizhen called the Chen residence. After the housekeeper picked up the phone, she immediately called Qian's father from the back garden to the living room to answer the phone. Qian's father took the phone tremblingly: "Hey, big girl, talk, I'm listening."
"Dad, please accept my condolences. Qian Zuhua has passed away. He was stabbed to death by a group of robbers on the train on his way home. The robbers have been arrested. But since it's too far away from home, can we cremate Qian Zuhua's body locally?" Qian Yizhen said.
"Daniel, I'll listen to you and cremate the body locally. When you come back, don't put the urn in your car. It's unlucky. Transporting ashes in a private car will bring bad luck and even affect the fortune of the owner," Qian's father reminded.
In traditional Chinese funeral customs, deceased relatives and living people are two different worlds, and ghosts and deceased relatives have different paths. It is best not to use a private car to pick up and deliver ashes to avoid the situation of "people and ghosts riding together". Therefore, when there is a funeral at home, a professional ashes delivery vehicle should be used.
With the assistance of two policemen, Ming Yuanhui contacted the local crematorium, held a simple farewell ceremony for the body in the funeral home of the crematorium, and then cremated it.
The staff of the funeral home placed Qian Zuhua's urn wrapped in red cloth on the hearse rented from the funeral home, signed a contract for the transportation of the urn with the funeral home, and prepaid the transportation fee.
At five o'clock in the afternoon, the driver Xiao Sun started the car, and the four of them led the hearse and set off on the journey back to the northern provincial capital.
Qian Yizhen called Qian Yiyun and said, "Yiyun, we have already started to return. There are a few things you need to prepare in advance. (1) Have a photo of Qian Zuhua made. (2) Prepare a dark-colored top for Dad, Xiangxiang, Ganggang, Wang Min, me, you, Ming Yuanhui, and Qian Zuhui. Buy some white cloth and put it in the car for later use. (3) Take Dad back to Lijia Village first to arrange a cemetery and build a tomb. (4) Send Xiangxiang and Ganggang to the Dream Come True Company and Professor Jiang Yuhan first. When the funeral is held, take Xiangxiang and Ganggang to Lijia Village. (5) The four of us will drive, along with the hearse that will carry Qian Zuhua's urn, directly to Lijia Village. We will meet at the entrance of the village.
After Qian Yizhen finished calling Qian Yiyun, he asked, "Yuanhui, think about it again. Is there anything else you want to prepare?"
Ming Yuanhui said: "It is too complicated to hold a funeral in the countryside now. I don't know much about it. Let's try to simplify the procedures as much as possible and just let the ancestors rest in peace.
There is no need to use fatigue tactics, this is good for the elderly and children, don't you think so? Yizhen, there is another thing you need to pay attention to.
In the mountainous villages of Daoguan Township, all ancestors have been buried in the ground for generations. Our ancestor Hua suddenly had a cremation. The villagers talked about it and gossiped about it. There were even some extreme behaviors. You have to be mentally prepared and withstand the pressure. "
Qian Yizhen said: "I know a little bit. I heard from Yiyun that when my grandparents had their funerals (I didn't attend because you were in the army and I was pregnant), it was quite complicated because it was the elders who participated in or presided over the funeral.
When my mother and sister-in-law passed away and were buried, my father presided over it. He had the final say, so it wasn't so complicated. I guess it will get simpler as time goes by. Each generation has its own ideas and practices. "
Ming Yuanhui said: "Times are progressing. Last year, the State Council promulgated the "Interim Regulations on Funeral Reform". Provincial capitals have already started to implement the cemetery system. When we die a hundred years later, we will all gather in the cemetery."
Wang Min said expressionlessly: "After I die, should I go to Lijia Village to find Qian Zuhua, or go to the cemetery to find you?"
Qian Yizhen said: "Wang Min, let's bury Qian Zuhua in Lijia Village for now. When the cemetery in the provincial capital is built, we can gather together again, okay?" Wang Min nodded and stopped talking.
At eight o'clock in the evening, they saw a small hotel on the side of the road. The four of them discussed and planned to have dinner and stay overnight in the hotel, and then continue their journey early the next morning.
Unexpectedly, the owner of the inn refused to allow the hearse to stay overnight in his inn. They had to quickly eat a meal in the inn and continue on their journey.
At twelve o'clock in the evening, Ming Yuanhui was afraid that the driver of the funeral car might be tired, so he found an open place, stopped the car, and took a rest in the car.
At around four o'clock in the morning, the sky in the east gradually turned pale. The driver, Xiao Sun, who was lying on the passenger seat, suddenly sneezed. Ming Yuanhui, Qian Yizheng, and Wang Min opened their eyes and sat up.
The driver, Xiao Sun, said embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, my sneeze woke you all up."
Qian Yizhen looked out the window and said, "It's okay. I barely slept. My mind was spinning. It's daybreak. Let's continue on our journey."
The driver, Xiao Sun, said, "Okay, I'll go wake up the driver of the hearse and continue driving."
At seven o'clock in the morning, the car drove to the border of the Northern Province, stopped, and had breakfast at a small restaurant on the side of the road. Ming Yuanhui estimated the time and said to the driver of the funeral car: "Master, please work harder. We will arrive at Lijia Village around 9:30."
The car continued to move forward, and when it reached Daoguan Township, it started to drizzle, and soon snowflakes began to fall.
Qian Yizheng looked at the drizzling rain and flying snowflakes outside the window, and remembered that it was also raining and snowing when his mother was returned to Lijia Village for burial.
I remember my grandma Chen Yalu once said that rain and snowflakes represent life and purity respectively. Their alternating arrival seems to be God's arrangement, heralding blessings for the deceased and comfort for the living.
Qian Yizhen glanced at Wang Min, who had no expression on her face, and said softly, "Wang Min, look out the window. It's raining and snowing. The old people said that rain first and then snow before a burial is a meaningful auspicious sign.
It indicates respect and blessings for the deceased, comfort and guidance for the living, and expectations for family unity and harmony, because the alternation of rain and snow requires people to face and adapt together, thereby strengthening the connection and understanding between each other.
Such weather changes also remind people of the cycle of life. First there is the rain that nourishes life, and then there are snowflakes that symbolize purity. It seems to be telling a story about life and death, cleanliness and eternity.
Wang Min, did you hear what I said? You have to cheer up, Xiangxiang and Ganggang need their mother the most. "
When the car arrived at the entrance of Lijia Village, Qian's father, Qian Zuhui, Qian Yiyun, Professor Jiang Yuhan, Xiangxiang, and Ganggang were already waiting there.
Qian Yiyun helped Wang Min change into dark-colored clothes, put on a mourning hat, and tie a mourning belt. The funeral car driver solemnly handed the urn of Qian Zuhua to Wang Min.
Ming Yuanhui took a few bottles of drinks and some food from the car, handed them to the driver of the funeral car, and reminded him: "Be careful on the road." The driver quickly took the drinks and food, bowed to express his gratitude, and then drove away.
Qian Yiyun supported Wang Min, Ming Yuanhui picked up Ganggang, Ganggang held Qian Zuhua's posthumous photo, Qian Yizhen held Xiangxiang with his right hand and held Professor Jiang Yuhan with his left hand, Qian's father and Qian Zuhui followed closely behind, walking on the muddy mountain village road in the rain and snow.