My students educated me today on a few practices that happen when a person dies. The first thing they do is put the body in a freezer until there is an auspicious day according their calendar and tradition. Today must of been one of those days, because I a saw 3 funerals going on today.
They put tents at the edge of their townhouse type home. This tent usually goes out onto the street. So the driver has to be aware of different unexpected obstacles including a tent for a funeral.
In the tent is the dead person in a type of freezer. Someone has to stay with the body at all times. If a cat or possibly any animal crosses over it, this is supposed to bring bad luck. So the person makes sure this does not happen.
On student informed me that they are not allowed to speak each others' names. If you do, the dead person's spirit could go into you. This is considered bad.
They are very concerned about the dead person's spirit going to a good resting place. They burn fake money and many fake things like houses, cars, etc that is believed to end up on the other side for the person to use.
About a month ago there was a funeral procession. I was told we needed to turn our backs to it so that the spirit of the dead person would not enter us.
Fear and concern about where the dead person's spirit ends up is a main concern. They believe that if the funeral goes well, that the spirit will once again be reincarnated.
This is a far cry from our way of thinking. Please keep people in Taiwan in your prayers that they will come to know Jesus and need not fear death.
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