[Choosing a career in the bereavement industry]

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Ever since I was little, my mother had often refused to let me attend the annual Tomb Sweeping Festivals due to her superstitions, or "pantang" attitude. I was also rarely allowed to attend funerals, for fear that I would be associated with negative energy.

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When I was 18 yrs old, my mother finally allowed me to choose whether I wanted to attend future Tomb Sweeping Festivals. That was the first time that I visited my ancestors' graves. At my first tomb sweeping, I was conflicted and could not understand my mother's "pantang" attitude, since it did not seem as terrifying as she had made it out to be. As I grew older, my wife and I subsequently joined the funeral industry. 

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While learning how to handle funeral processes and processions, I did not associate many feelings with my work as I knew that my job was to ensure that the deceased and their family would have a peaceful ceremony. 

As I progressed further into my line of work, I have gained greater insights as to the nuances and the complex, sensitive emotions entangled with the job that I do. My eyes were opened to the many strong-willed individuals who had to ensure that the funeral was running smoothly in this time of devastation. I grew to understand that our job was not only to set up the funeral wake itself, but to accompany and assist these families to complete their rites and rituals in such a trying hour. By preserving and upholding traditional practices, I quickly understood that decades of Chinese traditions and etiquette are passed down from families to families.

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As now I know that my mother's "pantang" attitude was borne out of love. However, I also understand that there is nothing inherently terrifying in the preparation of a loved one's funeral ceremony. Through such trying times, it is the love from the living that binds that past and future generations.