> Korean Food Culture > 4 Ceremonial Occasions
and Food > Sang-Rye
Introduction
of Sangrye
Sang-Rye means
the formalities observed in funeral service of a dead, which
is the last rite a life should go through. Korea's traditional
funeral ceremony had been derived from ancestor worship and
affected by Confucianism. Its procedure and form have been
passed down from old days over centuries, and today's ceremony
still preserves much of the old form and procedure. Compared
with other ceremonies, Sang-Rye is proceeded in a solemn and
courteous mood.
History
of Sang-Rye
The
old Chinese book?Middle of the road?writes that
-'Please serve the dead as if he/she is alive, and serve the
non-existent as if existent.'
- 'Sang' means being dead while 'Sa' means dying and decaying
of flesh, and 'Jong' means termination of humanity. The ceremony
was named 'Sang' as its meaning is midway between the other
two words.
According to?Yegi?
- Funeral service for parents should be continued for three
years.
- When a king dies, people should wear mourner's garb for
three years.
- For teacher's death, pupil should go through 'heart funeral'
for three years.
Garment
of Funeral
Hempen hood,
Dopo (traditional full-dress attire), Durumagi (traditional
overcoat), Wonsam, band, cotton Jeogori, Jeoksam (unlined
summer jacket), cotton trousers, pants, shoes, cotton socks,
ear-plug, sheet, mattress, etc. are used in the service.
Mourners
including chief mourner wore the mentioned garments for 3
years, 1 year, 9 months, 5 months and 3 months respectively
according to degree of kinship. In the old days, duration
of wearing was ordained but nowadays keeping such period is
not demanded any more as it is not practical.
? Mourners wore white overcoat (Korean traditional suit) along
with hempen hood on head and mourning badge on breast (or
band on sleeve). Female mourners wore white skirt and coat
with white rubber shoes.
? Nowadays when using Western clothes, black suit shall be
put on together with black neck tie, black socks, black shoes
with hempen badge on breast or band on sleeve.
> 
Introduction
of Sangrye 
