Taoism in Singapore - Ancestor Worship

Ancestor Worship

Chinese Ancestor worship is a Taoist practice by nature, practiced by a large number of ethnic Chinese in Singapore. Taoist and Buddhist practice ancestor worship. Christian Catholics of the Chinese race pray for their departed as taught by Holy Scripture and light incense in place of candles as a sign of respect towards their ancestors, as one would light a candle before the icon of a saint or the Holy Crucifix in Europe and around the world. Whereas Chinese people who adhere to various Protestant denominations in which case Chinese ancestor worship is viewed apparently as pagan rituals but are nevertheless accepted owing to the overwhelming majority of practitioners.

In the past, Chinese families owned ancestral tablets with the ancestors' names inscribed on them. Such tablets are placed on ancestral altars and urns meant for placing joss sticks, and food offerings are usually placed in front of it. Ancestral tablets found in Chinese homes only state the names of patrilineal ancestors and their wives. With the advent of modernism, and perchance owing to the decline of traditional Chinese values reinforced through Taoism, filial piety and thus such practices have almost vanished. At most only Taoist or Buddhist altars are found in Chinese homes.

Families may choose to have their ancestors cremated or buried in columbariums and cemeteries respectively. Families would visit their ancestor's resting place, especially during the Qingming Festival. They would bring joss sticks, incense paper and food offerings to the ancestors.

According to Chinese custom and tradition, people worshipping ancestors at Chinese cemeteries or columbariums must first lay out their offerings and prayer items before burning the joss stick. The worshippers may then recite prayers before proceeding to place their joss sticks on designated areas.

The worshippers then burn the incense paper and collect the food after worship.