Shaoyang Funeral

The wake lasts two days, with a marquee set up, and people playing cards and mahjong, keeping the family - and the soul of the deceased - company. 

Mourners turn up for a free meal and evening's karaoke, and a friend, whose father died recently felt afterwards that the three day wake was a nightmare in which she had been continually robbed, her friends taking care of expenses while she performed the chief role as mourner.

The pressure to put on a good display is growing again, and in Old China families used to bankrupt themselves on prestigious funerals, which out-weigh weddings in expense. 

Hear the description of Party Secretary Li's funeral from The Drink and Dream Teahouse

or download the MP3 here

Intermittently through the day and late into the night, firecrackers are let off to frighten away evil spirits. 

or download the MP3 here

During the day an incessant dirge plays.  This particular funeral struck me as interesting, as the choice of music was quite odd.  I imagined the dead man a die-hard communist, going out in the style of Breschnev or Mao or Stalin, to sombre classical music. 

I made this recording at about 11-30pm, when the

or download the MP3 here

 wake had reduced to the loyal card and mahjong players, who are more cheerful than Western mourners

But in the evening, the more traditional Buddhist band and priest turned up, and chant prayers with the children of the dead man. 

or download the MP3 here