A Study on Traditional Funeral Ceremonies and View of Death in Korea(2)

ABSTRACT

According to the traditional belief, exorcism is thought to guide a dead soul to the heavenly destination, a manifestation of humanism for living people. As long as a dead soul remains in this world, it is believed to do evil to living persons. This is why exorcism is practiced to send the dead soul to the underworld as early as possible after satisfying its grudge.The Old Testament of Bible testifies that a righteous man can find a refuge even after the untimely death, which, in principle, complies with the Confucian spirit of classical scholar who used to seek after accomplishing perfect virtue even at the cost of his life.In the traditional funeral services, it is believed that a soul is divided into two; the one is expected to go to the underworld to take rest, while the other one remains in the household shrine as a guardian god engaging in all sorts of family affairs incessantly. The solemn and intricate process of funeral ceremonies is regarded as realizing the truth and pursuing the completion of personality.The mortuary plank laid on the bottom of a coffin is thought to symbolize the return of the dead to the original place and, at the same time, the hope to come back with a new life.