An Expert Guide To The 49-Day Mourning Rituals (做七)
What is the 49-day ritual (做七)?
In Buddhism and Taoism, the cremation or burial of a loved one signifies not the end but the continuation of the death ritual. A key practice observed by many is the 49-day prayer and offering period, known as Zuo Qi (做七), which includes the important ceremonies of An Ling (安灵) and Ji Ling (寄灵).
For Buddhists and Taoists, this 49-day ritual plays a vital role in honouring the deceased and supporting their spiritual journey. It is a time when families gather to perform prayers and make offerings to ease the transition of the departed from this life to the next. While An Ling and Ji Ling differ in their specific procedures and settings, they share the common objective of guiding the soul toward peace and harmony.
In Singapore, where a large portion of the population follows Buddhist and Taoist traditions, such rituals extend far beyond the funeral itself. The Zuo Qi period reflects the profound cultural and spiritual significance placed on ensuring the well-being of the departed soul during its transition.
Understanding why these rituals are observed and how they are performed offers insight into the deep respect and care associated with death in these practices.
The Significance of An Ling (安灵) and Ji Ling (寄灵) in Reincarnation Beliefs
An Ling (安灵) and Ji Ling (寄灵) hold profound significance within the spiritual frameworks of Buddhism and Taoism, particularly in their beliefs about reincarnation and the afterlife. These two practices are deeply connected to the idea that when a person passes away, their soul enters an intermediate transitional state between their previous life and their forthcoming reincarnation. This state, commonly referred to as the bardo or transitional realm, can last up to 49 days.
During this period, family members engage in prayer rituals and offerings to support and guide the soul on its journey toward rebirth. These prayers provide comfort and peace, offering a spiritual pathway to ease the soul’s uncertainties as it waits for its new life. Furthermore, these rituals are expressions of love, respect, and filial piety—xiao (孝)—a value rooted in Confucian beliefs and central to Chinese traditions and mourning practices.
Understanding An Ling (安灵) and Ji Ling (寄灵)
An Ling (安灵) refers to the 49-day ritual conducted at home by the family. Daily prayers and offerings are performed by loved ones as a demonstration of their respect, care, and devotion to the deceased. This ritual symbolises the family’s continuous responsibility to support and console their passed relative during this transitional phase.
Ji Ling (寄灵) is performed in a temple, monastery, or columbarium by monks or spiritual leaders on behalf of the family. This aspect of the ritual provides a communal prayer space, offering an additional layer of spiritual guidance to help the soul progress toward its next journey.
Steps Involved in An Ling (安灵) & Ji Ling (寄灵)
Essential Items for the An Ling Ceremony
To conduct the An Ling ceremony at home, the following items are required:
Ancestral Tablet (神主牌 / 祖先牌): The ancestral tablet is a symbolic representation of the soul of the departed. It is placed on the altar as a central focus of the ceremony, representing the presence of the deceased’s spirit within the household.
Photograph of the Deceased: A picture of your loved one serves as a physical reminder of them and is placed alongside the ancestral tablet on the altar during the ceremony.
Joss Pot and Joss Sticks: The joss pot and joss sticks are used daily during the An Ling ceremony. Incense is burned in the joss pot as an offering to the deceased, with its smoke believed to carry prayers and messages to the spirit world.
Food and Refreshments: Offerings of food are placed on the altar daily and include the deceased’s favourite dishes, such as rice, fruits, meats, and traditional foods. Tea, water, and wine may also be included. These daily refreshments are a symbol of care and hospitality, ensuring the soul remains well-nourished in the afterlife.
Dedicated Table for the Altar: All the above items are arranged on a dedicated table set up as a sacred space for the family to pay their respects. This table serves as the focal point of the An Ling ceremony, with prayers and offerings taking place here daily.
Ji Ling Ceremony: An Overview
This ceremony is an option for families who prefer a more sacred and communal environment for their loved one’s spirit or may be unable to perform daily rituals at home.
Temporary Placement of the Spirit Tablet: During the Ji Ling ceremony, the ancestral tablet and photograph of the deceased are placed in a designated area within the temple, monastery, or columbarium. This placement is symbolic of lodging the soul temporarily while it continues its journey through the 49-day mourning period.
Offerings and Prayers Conducted by Monks, Priests, or Caretakers: A key part of the Ji Ling ceremony is the daily recitations and offerings, which are performed by monks, priests, or caretakers. These individuals take on the responsibility of ensuring the soul is well-tended during this mourning period by conducting the necessary rituals and prayers on behalf of the family.
This removes the need for the family to perform these daily rites themselves, offering peace of mind during a difficult period. Families can rest assured that their loved ones are being cared for in a sacred and respected space, allowing for both spiritual closure and reverence.
First Seven Days (头七)
In ancient times, Buddhist and Taoist funeral wakes typically lasted for a full 7 days. However, the duration of these wakes has been shortened to 3-5 days due to practical reasons such as smaller family sizes, which mean fewer people to assist with the wake.
Historically, in an era with less advanced medical knowledge, there was a fear of mistakenly diagnosing someone as deceased. This fear contributed to the practice of observing a 7-day wake to ensure that there was no premature burial or signs of resurrection.
The 7th day following the passing of the deceased holds particular spiritual significance. It is believed that on this day, the spirit of the departed returns home to visit their family. Many believe that upon passing, a spirit may not immediately recognise their own death and thus may linger in the earthly realm.
During this time, lighting the home is customary to symbolically guide the spirit back to its resting place. However, it is advised for you and your family to sleep on the 7th night. This practice is intended to prevent accidental encounters with the spirit, which could result in attachment and hinder its peaceful transition into the afterlife.
Observing these customs with respect and mindfulness allows for a proper closure to the period of mourning while supporting the spirit’s journey toward peace.
Last Seven Days (“七七”、”满七”、“尾七”、”断七”、”圆七”)
The final days of the seventh week following the passing—referred to as 七七 (Qī Qī), 满七 (Mǎn Qī), 尾七 (Wěi Qī), 断七 (Duàn Qī), or 圆七 (Yuán Qī)—mark the 49th day after death. This period is considered highly significant, symbolising the transition of the departed spirit from this world to the afterlife. Both Buddhist and Taoist traditions view this time as a pivotal moment of spiritual journey.
In Buddhism, prayers and ceremonies led by a reverend monk are commonly arranged to assist the spirit’s journey to peace and enlightenment in the afterlife. Offerings of fruits, food, and symbolic paper money are made to honour the deceased and to provide them with spiritual sustenance for their journey.
On the other hand, Taoist beliefs place a strong emphasis on maintaining balance and ensuring the spirit’s path is clear. Taoist rituals involve the guidance of Taoist priests, who conduct ceremonies such as offerings, prayers, and rituals to maintain harmony between the natural world and the afterlife. These rituals may include burning incense, symbolic paper, and ceremonial items to ensure a smooth journey for the spirit to its destined resting place.
How Funeral Company Can Help With 49 Days After Death (做七), An Ling (安灵), And Ji Ling (寄灵)
The process of calculating prayer dates and organising key rituals can be both complex and overwhelming. Many families in Singapore rely on professional funeral service providers to ease this burden during such sensitive times. At A.LifeGrad Funeral, we ensure that all significant dates are accounted for, leaving no prayer session overlooked.
Our team works with experienced monks and priests who can conduct prayers for your loved ones, offering guidance and spiritual support through this process. We also specialise in assisting families with An Ling (安灵) and Ji Ling (寄灵) rituals, ensuring that every step of the 49-day prayer cycle is properly observed.
By providing a comprehensive list of important prayer dates and managing the associated rites, we aim to offer peace of mind during a difficult time. Let our team handle these complexities with professionalism and compassion, allowing you to focus on healing and remembrance.