HOW CAN we break free from the rigid adherence to traditional Chinese funeral practices and introduce more personalized options?
Initially, I started by looking at the differences between cemeteries and tombstones in China and the UK, which led me to notice the lack of innovation in modern Chinese funeral practices. As I delved deeper into my research, particularly while reading the chapter “Grieving Rituals and Beliefs of Chinese Families” from The World of Bereavement(Qin, S., Xia, Y. 2015), I gained a deeper understanding of the enduring nature of Chinese funeral traditions. This chapter highlighted how, despite the influx of multicultural influences, traditional funeral customs remain deeply ingrained in Chinese society.
What is labeled as “traditional” is often adapted in various ways, reflecting each family’s unique needs and values. This variation suggests that so-called “tradition” is not static but rather constantly evolving, influenced by the specific context of each family.
Given this insight, I decided to adjust my research focus. Instead of merely exploring how funeral practices can be modernized, I wanted to dig deeper into how people can be encouraged to approach and choose these customs more consciously. My new research question became: How can we break the blind adherence to so-called “traditional” Chinese funeral practices? While each family may have its own way of observing these traditions, many still follow them out of a sense of reverence for the past, often without considering alternatives.
Through this research, I hope to encourage individuals to respect traditions while also feeling empowered to break certain taboos and make choices that better align with their personal circumstances and modern lifestyles. This approach allows for both the preservation of meaningful customs and the introduction of more personalized and contemporary forms of expression.
I initially thought of using “unquestioned adherence,” but I realized it’s not just blind obedience. Traditional funeral practices have been rigidly followed for generations, creating a framework that the funeral industry upholds, often without offering personalized options. That’s why I chose “rigid adherence” to highlight how these long-standing customs limit individual choice in the current system.