Shanghai April 2024

In April, I returned to Shanghai to bid farewell to my grandmother. The occasion brought together most of our family, including my aunts and lifelong family friends, who returned to China to pay their respects. It was a particularly stressful period, and despite my best intentions, I was unable to contribute as much as I had hoped. The majority of the funeral arrangements were undertaken by my aunts.

The family chose to honor my grandmother's memory with the traditional "Yi Tiao Long" ceremony.

The "Yi Tiao Long" (一条龙) funeral service, which translates to "one dragon service," is a comprehensive and culturally significant way to conduct a funeral in China. This tradition encompasses all aspects of the funeral process, from the initial preparation and rites to the final burial or cremation. The term "one dragon" symbolizes a seamless and complete service, ensuring that every detail is meticulously attended to in a manner befitting the deceased.

The "Yi Tiao Long" service typically includes several key components: the preparation of the body, the arrangement of the funeral venue, the orchestration of various ceremonial rites, and the management of logistics related to the funeral procession. This holistic approach reflects a deep respect for the deceased, adhering to cultural norms and practices that have been passed down through generations. It is designed to provide comfort and support to the bereaved family, ensuring that their loved one is honored with dignity and reverence.

今年四月，我返回上海为祖母送行。此时此刻，家人们齐聚一堂，包括我的姑姑们和多年的家族朋友，他们纷纷从各地赶回中国来表达他们的敬意。这段时间尤其令人紧张，尽管我尽了最大努力，但我未能如愿提供更多帮助。大部分葬礼的安排都是由我的姑姑们负责的。

家人们选择用传统的“一条龙”仪式来纪念我的祖母。

“一条龙”殡葬服务是中国举行葬礼的一种全面且具有文化意义的方式。这一传统涵盖了从初步准备和仪式到最后的安葬或火化的所有殡葬过程。“一条龙”一词象征着无缝且完整的服务，确保每个细节都被细致入微地照顾到，以此来表达对逝者的敬意。

“一条龙”服务通常包括几个关键组成部分：遗体的准备、葬礼场地的安排、各种仪式的组织以及葬礼队伍相关的物流管理。这种整体的方法反映了对逝者的深深敬意，遵循了世代相传的文化规范和习俗。其目的是为悲痛的家人提供安慰和支持，确保他们的亲人以尊严和敬意的方式被送别。

在这个历久弥新的传统中，我的姑姑们确保了我祖母的送别是尊敬且符合我们文化遗产的。他们的奉献和细致入微的安排在这艰难时刻起到了至关重要的作用，为所有在场的人们提供了一种闭合和安宁的感觉。