Attended A Funeral
@SIMPLYD (90722)
Philippines
September 29, 2016 12:03am CST
Yesterday , I went undertime from the office at 10:00 a.m.
I went to our hometown and attended the funeral of my father’s cousin , my auntie .
When the coffin was already placed in the hearse , and everyone has lined up outside the house for the procession going to the church , we heard a loud crash . The glass where the alms for the dead were kept was intentionally thrown to the cement by the helper , as part of the superstitious belief . Then the whole house was closed .
The mass was attended by 6 priests and 2 bishops including our uncle, who is a retired priest .
It rained while the mass was ongoing . And after the mass just as we are readying for the procession of the dead gong to the cemetery , it stopped and the weather was gloomy and windy , a nice weather for the procession .
After the funeral , before going into the house where foods will be served , we washed our hands in a basin of water . Another superstitious belief that I don’t believe , but have done out of respect for their beliefs .
It has been so many , many years since I participated the procession of the dead person. I just always attend the mass .
I felt good , doing the procession actually .
Have you attended any funeral already ? How was it ?
15 people like this
6 responses
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
30 Sep 16
we have some beliefs here, like washing our hands right after the burial. we do this when we don't go out like 'pagpag'.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
30 Sep 16
@ridingbet Yes, that one too , those foods served on the wake they are not to be brought home . Why is it so ?
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
30 Sep 16
@SIMPLYD it is like getting rid of the 'spirits that may have attached themselves to us who visited them', my friend. also, when they serve some snacks, we are not allowed to bring them home; eat them there in the place where the body of the deceased in state lies.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
this is the first time i've heard to those two practices - breaking the alms container before leaving and washing the hands when you return to the deceased's house.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
@hereandthere Tge money of course were already taken before the glass was thrown to the cemented floor .
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
@SIMPLYD ah, the procedure is clearer now. thanks.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
But then , if having life will mean bearing the pain caused by cancer , we somehow feel relieved for the deceased .
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Oct 16
I've never heard of those superstitions .. interesting ..
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
2 Oct 16
Fir thevwashing of the hand , i have observed that also sometime ago. But that intentionally dropping tha glass where the alms were placed, i was shocked actuallya , that it's a superstitious belief .
@shivamani10 (11038)
• Hyderabad, India
29 Sep 16
why the glass was intentionally broken? will you please clarify it.?
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
It's a superstitious belief of the old people in the Catholic religion . I don't know the reason why it should be that way .
