China News Service, Chengdu, February 26th: Title: Approaching the "post-90s" funeral director: making the farewell of the deceased more warm
Author Wang Peng Zhang Yuchen
One day in late February, in the Yuanshan Cemetery located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, funeral director Li Qin, wearing a black suit and white gloves, guided the family members of the deceased in a farewell ceremony.
Li Qin, 30, is a "post-90s generation" who used to be a chef and later chose this special profession. "My job is to give the deceased a solemn and tender farewell to the world."
The last journey of sending the deceased off is trivial but solemn
After the Spring Festival, Li Qin became busy again.
Early in the morning, he would first guide the family members of the deceased into the ceremony hall, then arrange the ashes and portraits, then turn on the lights and burn incense to protect the soul.
In a solemn atmosphere, Li Qin bowed together with the family members of the deceased.
After completing the farewell ceremony, he also had to escort the ashes to the tomb on the mountain for a burial ceremony.
Recently, Li Qin was burying the ashes of the deceased.
Photo by Jinguanchi
Before burying the ashes, Li Qin carefully cleaned the tomb with a small broom and prepared offerings, snacks and flowers on the table.
Then he carefully buried the ashes.
After sealing the tomb, he solemnly bowed to the tombstone and sent the deceased on his last journey.
The green hills were long, the pines and cypresses were silent, and a funeral ceremony ended in a peaceful atmosphere.
Yuanshan Cemetery is surrounded by green hills and pavilions. It covers an area of more than 6 acres. The slogan "Use the mountain as the courtyard, the courtyard is within the mountain" is eye-catching, and the vegetation coverage rate reaches more than 50%.
In the eyes of many people, cemeteries are often "gloomy" places, but Li Qin has his own understanding.
"Actually, in my opinion, this is like a park." There are no firecrackers and candles here, instead there are greenery and flowers, providing a peaceful resting place for the deceased.
Quietly changing from "fear" to recognition of professional cognition
Before becoming a funeral director, Li Qin worked as a chef and worked in Chongqing, Shenzhen and other places, but eventually returned to his hometown and chose this special profession.
At first, he did not fully understand the job content and was "a little scared", so he participated in the interview with the mentality of giving it a try.
Later, Li Qin's understanding of funeral directors continued to deepen.
"The funeral industry is not as rigid and lifeless as traditional concepts believe, but a vibrant industry." In Li Qin's view, every ceremony is like creating an eternal memory for the deceased, and it also gives him an understanding of life and life. Death is thought about more deeply.
Recently, Li Qin paid silent tribute to the deceased at work.
Photo by Jinguanchi
Once, Li Qin met a deceased person of similar age to him. The deceased's mother could not accept the reality and fainted from tears on the spot.
"He was as young as me, but he left this beautiful world early. I thought, what is more important than life and death? In the end, the answer I gave myself was: nothing is more important than life and death."
This experience made Li Qin deeply feel the meaning of separation between life and death, and he also realized the importance of a funeral director.
He was determined to make every ceremony perfect, help the family members of the deceased adjust their emotions and provide care. "Moreover, we must maintain a professional attitude and provide a warm farewell to the deceased."
Naturally, Li Qin slowly ushered in a change in mentality, from "just a job" to recognition of being a funeral director.
At every ceremony, he held the belief of "sending the deceased on his last journey" and provided support to the family of the deceased.
Loves cycling and raising cats: "It is crucial to adjust your mentality"
In the funeral industry, a good attitude is crucial for practitioners.
Li Qin still remembers that when he first came into contact with the remains of the deceased, he was at a loss. "It was as if I saw that I would become these remains in the future. This thought made me feel depressed." At that time, he completed the ceremony in a daze. , but I don’t know how to get out of the low mood.
Later, he learned to regulate his state in life.
"I like to relieve work stress through cycling." Yuanshan Cemetery is very close to the Chengdu Greenway. In his spare time, Li Qin often goes cycling. "I also have a kitten, and the kitten's company relieves me a lot of stress." .”
It is undeniable that the public has long been prejudiced against the funeral industry.
Regarding this strange vision, Li Qin is very optimistic, "The post-90s and post-00s generations receive more comprehensive information and are more receptive to new things. I believe that the public will have a more objective and fair view of the funeral industry in the future. .”
Suggestion: “The most important thing for young people entering the industry is character”
In recent years, there have been frequent discussions on the Internet about the funeral industry, and some young people have expressed their curiosity and yearning for this industry.
When talking about this topic, Li Qin spoke sincerely, "In this industry, academic qualifications are not the key. The most important thing is character. You must have awe and a rigorous attitude, so as to help the families of the deceased." He also emphasized that for the deceased's family, For those who are confused, this job may help them calm down and experience a different life.
Recently, Li Qin was preparing for the farewell ceremony.
Photo by Jinguanchi
Li Qin said that he has never regretted entering the funeral industry. He is grateful that his original choice has made him what he is today.
At only 30 years old, he hopes to shine as a funeral director in the future, "accompany every family member who comes, and bid farewell with dignity and warmth to every deceased."
"For me, death is not an abstract concept or a scary event, but a new life." He said firmly.
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