Thoughts inspired by reading a novel: Should funerals be held in a grand manner?
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I’m reading \"Gil Blas\" translated by Ms. Yang Jiang, and there’s a passage in it: He held the funeral in a very grand manner; the procession was extremely luxurious, which attracted people from both inside and outside the city. In Ovidiu, regardless of status, no one paid any attention to my splendor; the gossip in the streets and alleys really hurt my pride. One said, “This outbreak… to support one’s father, there’s not a penny available, but there’s money to arrange his funeral.” ”One said, “It’s much better to be filial to your father while he’s alive; it’s far less extravagant than holding such ceremonies after he dies!” ”In short, everyone engaged in fierce arguments, sparing no words for me; I became the target of everyone’s criticism. Still not satisfied, when Sibyron, Bertrand, and I came out of the church, they came to insult us again, shouting and hissing, throwing stones at us, and forcing Bertrand to return to the inn. A large crowd gathered outside my uncle’s house, and my mother had to step forward and state that she really liked the way I had handled things, which finally dispersed the crowd. So, for those who are away from home, without their parents by their side, should they arrange a grand ceremony on the day they pass away?
It’s better to be filial while alive than anything else...
It’s better to show filial piety while alive than to arrange things after death.
People are self-interested: they are filial while alive, and won’t seek attention； Dying in a showy manner makes one seem capable.
There are unforeseen changes in the weather, and good or bad fortunes can strike at any time. . . These days, various thrombotic diseases and car accidents can take a life in just minutes.
In fact, in small places, no matter what you do, there will always be people talking behind your back.
Who isn’t talked about behind their back? Who doesn’t talk about others behind their back? Sit upright in the row. Whether to hold a grand celebration after someone passes away is something that can be discussed later; what’s important is to visit them more often while they’re still alive and spend time together. Sometimes all the elderly need is comfort; a meal isn’t about money.
We meet infrequently; there’s nothing we can do about it. In small towns, only by holding a grand event can those who come to it have something to eat and take home~
I’m also in a small city. If my parents pass away one day, they might have some requests. My in-laws practice Buddhism; they don’t want anything, so a simple arrangement will be sufficient.
Only when the near day arrives will one think about it, right?