File:A SHINTO FUNERAL SERVICE. (1910) - illustration - page 250.png

English: Illustration from page 250 of A SHINTO FUNERAL SERVICE..

Caption: "A SHINTO FUNERAL SERVICE."

Quote: "When the procession reaches the hall for burial service, the bier, is laid on the rests and the cleyera japonica and the flag with the deceased’s name are set up. Offerings of food are made before the coffin and the officiating priest reads out a funeral address giving a short sketch of the deceased’s life; and then all the priests, the chief mourner, the relatives, and the rest of the mourners take each in turn a tamagushi, which is a branch of cleyera japonica with strips of paper hanging from it, and laying it before the coffin, makes a bow to the dead. The food is removed and the coffin brought down and buried, the relatives throwing the earth into the grave. The grave-post is next set up and fenced round with bamboo poles, which are connected with sacred rope. The priest announces the burial and bows to the grave, in which act he is followed by the mourners present. Before leaving the burial-ground, all the mourners are purified by the priests with a sacred wand. On the night of the funeral, when the house has been purified by sprinkling salt water over it, the cleyera japonica and flowers of the season are put in vases before the tablet, a lamp is lighted, and food is offered to it; and the priest reads a prayer and, together with the others present, offers the tamagushi and bows to the tablet, after which the food is removed, and the service ends.""