June's Official: July 2018

I had a family involvement of something memorable yet unfamiliar. My family and I witnessed the whole process of digging up the dead. In my case, was my great-grandfather.

Every year during QingMing festival, I looked forward to go praying in the wee hours as I find peace and serenity, especially how my grandma gave sincere offerings with the preparation of home-cooked favourite food, clothes and money etc ..... Now I have no kin in the cemetery because great-grandfather has just “moved his house”.

I skipped the ritual in the morning to “touch the ground 动土” and only went for the “digging of gold 拾金” in the night time. Sorry if anyone of you don’t understand the jargons I converted them from mandarin, initially I am clueless about it too.

My family and I reached CCK chinese cemetery last night at 9, it was pitch-dark in there. I’m unable to see the signboard if there’s no headlights. We went to the grave and the tomb was excavated that we could see the coffin. It’s an old design that both sides are curved up. There was also a big shelter above the grave to ensure there’s no sunlight entering throughout.

We were asked to turn around while the workers unscrewed half of the coffin. Unscrewing took about 5 mins and I’m playing with my torch and Godpa got scolded by Grandma for shining light at other’s grave LOL! They told us that great-grandfather’s grave was filled with water, kind of expected because older design of coffin can trap water when it rains but water will never be able to escape. The smell isn’t very pungent surprisingly.

One of the worker started pouring out the excess water and slowly picking up the bones from the water in the coffin. We were just less than a metre away from the coffin and I was not terrified. Firstly, he picked the leg bones and both white socks were still intact. Next was 2 knee caps, 2 hips, few rib cages, jaw and the whole skull. He picked up the skull last and that was when I’m shaken, I feel a shiver down my spine. There was also 3 pens found, a black belt, a silver watch and his clothes. Is my great-grandfather a scholar why are there so many pens inside I’m just wondering. Another few workers was washing the skeleton bones with white wine before they put all of the bones into a big bag.

Now that we have placed great-grandfather into his “new home”, grandma was relieved. And if she is, we are too. Grandma is the most wonderful and thoughtful daughter-in-law, she gained so much respect from us. She’s so dear to me.

All I can do was to represent you, dad. You’re the eldest grandson to him and I will always do everything for you to do you proud.

My generation and newer ones will never be able to have such exposure and I’m glad to be here with my family. 太公 will always be remembered, you started a part of me. Rest In Peace.

June's Official

About me

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Labels