Funeral is a ceremony making a person's death. Traditionally in U.S., there is a viewing held in the funeral home with the casket open which allows family and friends to see the deased for the last time. And then casket is take to a church where a priest conducts a mass ( a ritual ceremony). The casket then will be taken to the grave to bury. But Jon's funeral was very untraditional. It was conducted outside the chapel at the Cave Hill Cemetory. It was a very well known and beautiful cemetory. Jon looked very peaceful just like that he was sleeping. There are more than 150 people there. Very casual. The lady speaker did an ok job except she talked too much about herself and her business more like a sales meeting. The best part was when she was reading all the letters written about Jon from his friends and family. People were not crying like the funeral in China. After the ceremony, we went to the grave site where Jon was buried. The burial procedure took only a few minutes. Afterward, some friends met at a bar and other friends and family met in his home drinking, eating, talking just like normal  party without tears.

In China, funeral usually takes place within three days, sometimes in one because there is no embalming (remove fluid from the body). Sons and daughters drape their head and upper body with white cloth and tie at the waist; carry a picture, ramed and edged with black crepe. Family and friends come to view the body before it is placed into a cardboard coffin. This is usually accompanied by weeping and uncontrolled mourning. Then the coffin is taken to the funeral home. Family waits outside of the funeral home when the body is cremated, then bring the part of the ash back to bury in the family grave plot.

Alison seemed very ok during the whole time. Her parents and sister from Canada stayed for another week. Then she will be on her own. A few people offered to babysit Jordan when needed. I am sure Alison will be doing fine except it will hit her from time to time.

I wish her the best from my heart. Wish I could do more for her. ..