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Tomb Sweeping Day honors ancestors while connecting modern families   

Ching Ming the Tomb Sweeping Day originated in China. It is observed on the 15^th day after the Spring Equinox. On the Western calendar this translates to April 4^th or 5^th.  On this national day of observation of death, descendants visit gravesites of family members who have passed. There are distinct rituals. One is sharing of food, picnic style graveside if there was a burial or at the marker for Chinese families whose loved ones chose cremation. Traditions of the culturally diverse Lower Mainland are recognized and respected by Richmond-based, Can-Trust-Funeral Ltd. They are among the lifecycle events understood by the licensed and professional funeral directors who serve families who seek help with funeral arrangements in Vancouver, funeral services in Surrey, in Burnaby and in New Westminster. Ching Ming activity occurs long after a cremation, memorial or funeral service, yet is a long term value present even during a funeral arrangement.  

What is the origin and importance of Ching Ming (Qingming)? 

Tomb Sweeping Day brings families together in remembrance, not only with each other, but also with the whole country if in China where the tradition originated, or within the community they reside in the world over.  

The name is based on two Chinese characters: Ching which means clean or pure and of Ming which represents brightness. A day to honour the dead exists in most cultures. In China ancestor worship is known as the only religion native to China. All other religions practiced in China or by Chinese people in the Lower Mainland of BC would have been imported from outside the country.  

What are the rituals of Ching Ming?  

Families will, at a minimum, make an annual visit to the gravesite on the Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Festival.  

At the gravesite, families gather and carry out these rituals:  

• Weed the area 
• Clean the headstone 
• Place fresh flowers and remove wilted ones  
• Light incense  

Some also burn Joss, the imitation paper money, similar to the practice of burning it at the funeral to provide for the deceased in the afterlife.  

When family gathers you can expect that food preparation and sharing is in the plans 

• The food is eaten together at the gravesite or marker in the case of cremation as if at a picnic with the loved one who has passed. Tradition holds that it is good luck to eat food first laid out at the headstone in an offering to the spirits of the deceased.  

• As at the time of a funeral, the resting place of the deceased is approached in a set order determined by family roles and ages. Rituals include bowing, pouring out a cup of wine at the headstone holding the right fist cupped in the left hand.  

• Modern families often opt to simplify the visit and obligate only the eldest son. In this case the formal offering at the visit may be limited to incense, paper money and flowers.  

A professional funeral director can help guide a grieving family with their immediate funeral arrangements. They are sensitive to the cultural rituals in an increasingly diverse community and can guide families in the best course of action and the many choices involved in funeral services to best suit their needs and understand their future connection to the funeral service.   

If you require reliable, straightforward and affordable service, with compassion, always, contact Can-Trust-Funeral before you engage with any funeral homes. Call 604-376-7975 or email to book a free professional consultation. You are never obligated.      

Our Can-Trust team of licensed funeral directors, provides funeral services in Burnaby, funeral services in Richmond, Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland.      

Phone: 604-376-7975      

E-mail: can-trust-funeral@outlook.com      

WeChat: Cantrustfuneral      

Learn more at the Can-Trust Funeral Ltd website 

‘Swedish death cleaning’ tips to welcome spring in BC’s Lower Mainland from Can-Trust Funeral

Do you know the forever favour you can do for your family that is rarely spoken of? Imagine that as you get into the seasonal rite of spring to freshen and declutter, that you plan ahead to the inevitable – your death. Swedish death cleaning encourages just that. With a little planning ahead the method spares loved ones the difficult task of also rummaging around your unsorted possessions trying to decide, dispose and distribute all the stuff of your life. Richmond-based Can-Trust-Funeral offers this look at the practical, sometimes fun and certainly not morbid solution to this picture. Swedish death cleaning – helps to get your life in order and lightens the burden for families after a graveside funeral, cremation or memorial. As the funeral directors at Can-Trust who help families in the Lower Mainland to also pre-plan their funeral arrangements can attest, similar benefits await the person who plans ahead. They often enjoy a clearer, free and more abundant life now.  

Why wait to get started?  Here’s how. 

The concept became globally popular with the publication of Margareta Magnusson’s, book   “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter. The chapters give practical ‘how to’s as well as specific notes on how life becomes more pleasant and how it makes it all easier for your loved ones now and after your passing.  

Magnusson suggests you start where you are. Mid-life is not too early.  Why wait? Her personal experience is based on cleaning out the homes of parents, in-laws and friends, after they passed, as well as the home she shared with her husband after he died. And though the Swede reiterates the benefits you’ll feel after death cleaning, she stresses, “It’s about doing a favor for those who survive you, too.” 

Some of her tips to create space, for lighter abundant living in the present are:   

• Give yourself lots of time. You’ll be able to savour the memories and make calm decisions.  
• Pull items out of the storage areas. This may mean the attic and the basement, places full of times already not a daily priority.  Make room to enjoy life more now. Leave less for others to deal with later.  “Mess is an unnecessary source of irritation,” says Magnusson. 
• See it as a way to organize your everyday to run your life more smoothly as a permanent choice or habit. 

• Find the joy and delight in the process as you go through things and enjoy the memories and their worth to you. Cleaning then becomes more than dusting or mopping up. 

In her book, Magnusson suggests you resolve to reduce, give to others in your circle, sell or donate the ‘stuff’ of your life that you no longer need anymore. 

Pre-planning for death an outcome of pre-cleaning for life  

Magnusson’s take on clutter is that is simplifies and enriches your life to lighten up. In pre-planning funeral arrangements, she feels you have some control of the nature of the funeral service. From casket to ceremony at least you can contribute to how your life is honoured and celebrated. 

The licenced professional funeral directors at Can-Trust-Funeral based on their experience serving families can help at any time in their funeral arrangement needs – immediate, pre-planned or imminent, would add these benefits to pre-planning:  

• Have clear instructions to family about your wishes for the type of funeral service you want  
• Prepare documents or instructions that will help with the complex paperwork after a loved one dies such as: death certificates, transplant and tissue donations, cancellations of subscriptions, sim cards, credit cards, ongoing billing and interest charges. 

It can be challenging and emotionally exhausting for a long time for your loved ones to untangle and close off all these details of daily living.  

Pre-planning a funeral when things are calm lets you consider costs and options with less stress or hurry or worry about financing a funeral. With planning in advance your loved ones can follow your wishes clearly and not wonder about all the many decisions to make when planning a funeral. 

If you require reliable, straightforward and affordable service offered with compassion, always, contact Can-Trust-Funeral before you engage with any funeral homes. Call 604-376-7975 or email to book a free professional consultation. You are never obligated.      

Our Can-Trust team of licensed funeral directors, provides funeral services in Burnaby, funeral services in Richmond, Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland.      

Phone: 604-376-7975      

E-mail: can-trust-funeral@outlook.com      

WeChat: Cantrustfuneral      

Learn more at the Can-Trust Funeral Ltd website