[스크랩] 중국 최초의 장례박물관 `상해빈장박물관`

중국 최초의 장례박물관 '상해빈장박물관'
China Opens First Funeral Industry Museum

▲ 이 건물 5층이 上海殯葬博物館이다.  Just one or two decades ago it would have been unthinkable for China to open a museum displaying the history of Chinese funeral customs. The Cultural Revolution of Mao Zedung, which ushered in cremations, attempted to wipe out this part of their culture. Yet this is exactly what has just taken place in the largest city in China; and it has happened with the participation of a governmental organization.

China’s Funeral Industry Museum has been opened in the city of Shanghai and is located at the well known Longhua Funeral Parlor. The museum is a joint production of both the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau and the Shanghai Funeral Trade Association. The museum covers an area of about 5,000 square feet (1,500 square meters) and is free of charge.

It is befitting that the museum has opened in Shanghai (Chinese: 上海) since it is the most populous city in the People’s Republic of China with a population of over 20 million people. Shanghai is also a major area of focus for the Chinese Government’s goal of achieving 100 per cent cremation of its deceased citizens. This policy’s first phase began at the insistence of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong after 1949 Communist Revolution took over in China. The second phase, which is being implemented now, is focused on dissuading the people of Shanghai from keeping the cremated remains.

After the disastrous Anglo-Chinese War (also know as the Opium War) forced Shanghai to become open to foreign presence the British opened Shanghai’s first foreign cemetery in 1844. The cemetery was established within the former British Concession, a site which was later turned into the Huangpu District Stadium. The British opened the cemetery to all foreigners living in and around the area.

It wasn’t until 1924 that an American in Shanghai built the first funeral home. Interestingly, the Chinese had never established specific organizations providing places and services for the hosting of funeral ceremonies. Traditionally, friends and family of the deceased would set up a simple mourning hall in the dead person’s house; and, people were assigned the task of carrying the coffin and burying the person. Once the native Chinese Shanghai residents recognized that the American funeral parlor saved time and energy funeral homes began to spread in the city, with many Chinese investing in the business. The practice of embalming was learned from the owner of the American funeral home and the skills were handed down by the local apprentices working there. After the Communists created the People’s Republic of China, all the funeral homes were taken over by and run by the government; a situation which is beginning to change.

“The museum tries to help visitors explore Shanghai’s unique funeral history,” said director Xin Bingyong. Mr. Xin added that local traditional funeral culture and burial customs faded after the city was opened up to Westerners. He is careful not to mention the part that Communist policies have played in this.

The museum displays pictures, archives and cultural relics dating back to before the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949. Relics on show include a Chrysler car, which was used as a hearse for the popular singer Zhou Xuan and the writer Lu Xun, and a 100-year-old pair of stone lions from the Baoxing Funeral Parlor.

The funeral industry in China has grown considerably with private investment by entrepreneurial Chinese pouring into both funeral homes and cemeteries. There are now more than 1,500 funeral homes and more than 1,600 cemeteries in China. And, the funeral service industry now employs over 70,000 people. It is no wonder that officials of the Peoples Republic of China believe it is once again time to study the history of Chinese funeral customs. http://www.cemeteryspot.com/blog/?p=162

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