Do people still drop off food to the grieving family?
Dealing with the actual funeral service is one of the more stressful activities during the bereavement of a loved one. It can take all of your energy – both physically and emotionally. There are a lot of things that should be attended to during this phase but the people involved may have a difficult time accomplishing them as they are still also coping up with their own emotions as well. One of these would be the food supply. A lot of people are expected to visit the service to pay their respects. As a way of reciprocating their presence and condolences, it is imperative to provide them with refreshments through food and drinks.
But as mentioned earlier, providing food can be a little too much work for the affected family. This is the reason why the tradition of visitors bringing food for the funeral service is practiced up until now. It is a way in which visitors are able to show their affection and condolences to the grieving family. For the Chinese, this act represents utmost respect to the deceased person. It also signifies the final meal that the departed has to take before he or she crosses over to the next life. That is why the food prepared for Chinese funeral services such as roasted meat, fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine may seem so simple but is actually full of respect, honor, and representation of the culture that they belong to.
This also helps in easing the burden in terms of attending to the actual household chores needed for the service. In this case, with the food that the visitors bring, the family may need not to bother themselves with the preparations and focus on other things and immediate needs that may require their attention. It is also important for visitors to take note as to what type of food to bring for such occasions. Recommended items are those that can be easily consumed and disposed such as biscuits, instant coffee, and candies. This will serve as a great help for the host family since they would not need to exert additional effort in cleaning up after the round of visits are through.
