Why do we need to practice this superstitious belief?

Question

family members and friends should pass UNDER a coffin / casket of a dead relative.

why is that so?

what is the purpose of doing it?

Answer 1

some sort of tradition but we really do not need to do this....  

Answer 2

is it under? what i am familiar of is the belief that kids should be carried above the coffin before the departed gets to be buried. they do this to avoid someone from having the same fate. something like that.  

Answer 3

You don't have to practice it if you don't believe in such superstition. In our family, however, we observe the ritual of passing under a coffin before it is being brought out of the place.  It is believed that by doing so, the dead won't come back to haunt or take you away.

Inasmuch as I don't want to believe it, I think there is no harm in following tradition.  Whether or not this is true, no one can really say.

Answer 4

yeah, i have seen this practice, havent thought of what are those for,i did not do it though my relatives did for i am a  muslim convert.

Answer 5

yes, i did this before because they forced me too. somebody just grabbed me and pushed me through, i was just freaked out.

Answer 6

We don't do that in other cultures, and you definitely don't NEED to practise it.  

Answer 7

I dunno anything bout that coz we don't do that in our family. ANd frankly, we don't believe in those superstitions including Chinese customs.

Answer 8

I don't think so we really need to practice superstitious beliefs... but these beliefs are part of our culture or it is already a tradition.

Answer 9

we did this last month when my dad died :(.  i am not really sure why, somebody just grabbed me and then pushed me to go under the coffin.  and told all who went under the coffin not to look back.  maybe it's some sort of crossing over ritual.  everything happened so fast.  the older women didnt want us to look back some even pull our heads when about to turn.

there was even plate breaking in the background.  we later found out one of the old women in the house, took a plate and smashed it.  reason for this is because the father is the breadwinner and the plate represents the role of the father of bringing food on the table.  and to stop the curse, to stop death (or other negative event) from happening to the next breadwinner of the household, you need to break a plate.  

interesting, i dont really mind that we did all that.

Answer 10

I don't know for sure, but you should try to find out - maybe ask an older relative - what the symbolic meaning of this tradition is. Because I bet it's a tradition, and not a superstitious belief. And traditions are to be respected, especially in situations like funerals, where all the nerve endings are open - traditions give comfort and security in a distressing situation. And it's no harm really, so why should you object to practicing it? Only as I said, it's interesting - and also useful, if you find you can relate to it - to find out what this tradition means.

Answer 11

Well,it is not a need, but if your family does it then do it too, respect your familie's tradition. and it wouldn't hurt to do it, right???

Answer 12

Talking about supertitious, at this time its important particularly if u r living now n phil, civil war is on the way. We need to be a bullet proff

by beleiving supertition.

Answer 13

There is no need to practice superstitious belief if you don't believe nor understand the reason behind it. We never did that when my mother and aunt, died many years ago. Never heard of that belief (passing under a coffin)  even from among my friends either. I would  discourage people to do that kind of thing. It could be dangerous. What if  all of the sudden, the  coffin floor  will  give way and spill its contents on the person passing underneath. That would be a disaster.

Answer 14

I saw that practice last week at my brother's funeral.  I asked an elder and she told me that it's a sign of respect for the departed.  We may or may not follow this tradition anyway.