Taoist walk round the coffin until the 'soul' is satisfied. Christians only walk once (I think). This morning, we counted. They walked 4 times clockwise and then once anti-clockwise.

Taoist are sexist. The males are deemed as more important whereas females are less important. The males will line up in the front line and the females behind even though the males may be younger.In Christianity, we are all of equal status. It doesn't matter who goes first and who goes last.

Taoist have different 'banners' for the different generations to pay their final respect? Christians don't. We pay respect together.

Taoist competes to see who 'cries' the loudest to show how xiao shun they are. Christians, though they are sad, they rejoice because their loved ones are enjoying in heaven.

At a Christian funeral, it begins with worship, then a Pastor preaches for a while, maybe a eulogy is read and prays. At Taoist funeral, first they all bow to the deceased, then kneels, then take turns to pay respect, bows, the prist holds a lantern and says a few things (I don't know what), sprinkles water on the coffin and they bow again.

This wake, is the smallest and the cremation service, the fastest I've been to. And I thought they paid more attention to the rites than to the deceased. Between ah ma's funeral and ah zuo's funeral, I think ah ma's was more well organised. At least we managed to have our own family members carry the coffin with shirt and ties on and even had the chance to take a final family photo together - all her children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

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No offense to the comparison between the two. These are just my thoughts.

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At my wake, I actually want 'Come On and Celebrate' and 'Celebrate Jesus Celebrate' to be sung.