“The Chinese have always been interested in their past -- worship of ancestors is worship of origins."
(Heinz 1999:225)
“The social or nonreligious function of ancestor worship is "to cultivate kinship values like filial piety, family loyalty, and continuity of the family lineage." (Yang 1957:278)

• In China, the practice of ancestor worship has existed since ancient times, and it emphasized continuity of family lines.
• The practice of ancestor worship, can be seen as an extension of this reverence.
• Additionally, the family was viewed as a closely united group of living and dead relatives.
• Unity of the entire family was also reinforced through religious acts at temples that honored all ancestral spirits.

• After the home altar is taken down, the ancestors are believed to dwell in commemorative tablets.
• Ancestral tablets are pieces of wood inscribed with the name and dates of the deceased.
• They are kept in a small shrine at home and in the clan ancestral temple.
• Incense is lit before the tablets daily and offerings of food and prostrations are presented twice a month.

• Ancestor worship begins at the deceased family’s funeral, at which necessities of the ancestor, like a toothbrush, comb, towel, shoes, or even a computer are placed in the coffin or burned as a sacrifice.
• After the funeral, offerings are made to ensure the family member gets a good start in the afterlife.
• Necessities and luxuries, like the deceased's favorite foods, wine, and small sums of money, are placed on the altar in bowls or burned in front of the altar
• Fruits and vegetables are the most common foods for offerings; meats are avoided because of their association with killing.
• Statues representing servants or other necessities for the afterlife are also placed on or near the altar.
• Family members also bow in respect before the altar.

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Ropp, ed. (University of California Press, Ltd., 1990), pp.
15-54.
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Functional Relationship Between Confucian Thought and
Chinese Religion . John K. Fairbank, ed. (The University of Chicago Press, 1957) pp. 269-290.

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