1. Prayer to ancestors is done after prayers to Buddhas or deities, customarily starting from mid day / noon.
Tip: ancestral prayer during Qing Ming is done voluntarily out of gratitude, and it is a family legacy. Hence remembrance and tribute to your family ancestors can be done regardless of your belief.
2. Food offering is best when ancestors are invited home to enjoy home cooked feast, with their favorite dishes laid out on the table alongside tea/wine cups, rice in bowls, fruits, kuih-muih and cutleries
Tip: cherish the moment as you have a reunion lunch with your loved ones, after your ancestors are done with their feast.
3. To start the prayer, you may pray to the sky facing the ancestral tablet at home. Sample prayer speech:
Dear ancestors of XX family, today is Qing Ming. Unfortunately we are unable to pray homage and do tomb sweeping at your grave due to movement control to combat Covid-19 virus. We sincerely invite you to return home today and enjoy the dishes we have prepared.
4. As the ceremony goes, you may:
- express your gratitude on the blessing bequeathed upon you, and thank you parents for raising you
- report your achievements, and repent on any wrongdoing.
- make vows to improve on learning and health, and to contribute to the society.
5. Pray together with your family to your ancestors:
You may also pray together with your family to your ancestors for Covid-19 disease to be successfully combatted soon, for the peace and safety of our nation. You may pray that ancestors bless you with good health, good fortune, etc.
6. How can you tell that ancestors have returned to their ``home``?
Elders taught us to use two 50-sen coins which can be flipped to the sky and gauge the ancestors’ replies to your questions by the face/tail appearance of the two coins.
7. Should you wish to offer some ``daily living items``, ``cash & gold bars`` and ``property & car`` to your ancestors
Tip: remember to choose quality and eco-friendly paper products. Caring for the environment is as important as offering to our ancestors.
8. The ceremony proceeds harmoniously and solemnly, as ancestral prayers are customarily led by leader of the family, followed by younger generations in sequence. Such is an establishment and reflection of family values (家风)、family doctrine (家训)、and family education (家教) unique to your family.
