Some things are not allowed when a loved one dies? Is it Science or Fiction?

It is easy to see that no one can avoid the circle of life. With time a person will grow old, sick, and finally on deathbed.

Hence, funerals have their customs, and it's important to keep certain taboos in mind. The following will explain to you what you cannot do when your loved ones die.

However, these were rules passed down for ages, is there really taboo (pantang) or science explanation behind it.

Key Points

1. No crying during funeral wake service
2. Black Cat, Bad Luck
3. Do not touch the face of the deceased
4. The things of the deceased cannot be left behind
5. Do not wear colourful clothes

Do not cry during funeral wake service - Science or Fiction?

It is customary to hold back tears during the burial ceremony.

Crying during the funeral service could make the deceased soul restless and cause them not to move on from the living world.

Is that the real case?

In terms of religion, Yes. it is advisable not to cry.

However, in terms of science, wake service is a healing process for the living and shedding tears is a normal reaction for a person who is grieving. So, it is absolutely normal to cry. But of course it is advisable to control the tears shed.

We have encountered cases where family members need medical attention due to her crying too much and fainting.

Don't let black cat's to jump over the deceased body! - Science or Fiction?

Before the burial, it is taboo for cats, dogs and other animals to approach the body of the deceased, it is believed that it will cause the deceased to wake up suddenly or become a zombie.

Is that the real case?

There is a historical and scientific explanation as to why this taboo became famous. Ever since the existence of humans on earth. Death existed.

Thousand years ago. When humans do not have a safe environment for funerals. There will be wild animals roaming around. As a precaution not to have the deceased body being scavenged by wild animals. It was a practice to have a person to take care of the body.

Hence, through time and civilization evolution, this practice also changed according to the understanding and reluctance of people taking care of the deceased body.

Thus, having such a taboo was to scare family member's, so they took turns to take care of the deceased body.

Do not touch the face or the deceased body in the first 8 hours - Science or Fiction?

It is believed that after a person died. Their soul will need 8 to 10 hours to leave the body. During this separation period, it is crucial not to touch the body, because if you do so, the person's soul will be in great pain.

The pain was explained as having your skin being dragged on a hot tarmac road. So any encounter with the deceased body will further worsen the pain.

Is that the real case?

In terms of science, once a human body stops functioning. The process of decomposition will start naturally.

During this time, the body might have contagious disease that is harmful to people. So, should a person without any protection gears handle the body, he/she may be in danger.

Hence, regardless of religion, science or taboo. One should not simply touch a deceased body.

The things of the deceased cannot be left behind - Science or Fiction?

It has become a common practice that most of, if not all of the deceased's belongings will be buried together or burned after the funeral.

This is done because if the deceased belongings are still in the living world, they might not be willing to go to the afterlife and linger around the living.

Is that the real case?

If we look at it from a scientific point of view. Funeral is a healing process. By having the belongings of the deceased, a person will be constantly reminded that their loved one has left them forever.

This will become an obstacle to the recovery process. So it is best to have the deceased belongings to be buried together or if they choose to have cremation, it is best to burn their belongings together with them.????

Do not wear colourful clothes- Science or Fiction?

After the death of the parents, the children should observe filial piety for their parents.

In our modern days, time is shortened. By tradition it should not be less than one year.

During the period of filial piety, children are not allowed to wear brightly colored clothes, heavy make-up, and drinking for fun.

Is that the real case?

In Chinese tradition and teaching. One can say that father represents the sky and mother represents the earth.

So if a child has lost their parents, it can be considered their world is no longer perfect. Hence, without a sky or an earth. How can one still be content with life?

He or She would have suffered from this tremendous loss in their life. That is why, by not wearing colourful clothes is an indication to others, that they are still mourning and being filial piety.

Conclusion

There are many taboo and unwritten rules during and after a funeral. What was mentioned in this article only covers a tiny portion of those rules. Most has been filtered out as it would take a tremendous amount of time to explain.

Know this, these key points have science, logic and reason as why people do it. These were teachings and customs handed down by generations. They do have an explanation why they need to do it.

Finally, just because some rules are out of our understanding, it does not mean we do not have to follow or disrespect it.