Pallbearers. Eight pallbearers are chosen prior to the Seung Hwa ceremony. They are to wear navy blue suits, white ties, and white gloves while they perform their duties. (White gloves may be provided by the funeral home.) The pallbearers carry the casket from the Seung Hwa to the hearse and from the hearse to the Won Jeon site.

Portrait carrier. One individual is chosen to carry the portrait of the individual from the Seung Hwa ceremony to the Won Jeon site. This individual walks ahead of the casket carrying the picture from the Seung Hwa to the hearse and from the hearse to the Won Jeon site. The picture should precede the casket at all times. This means that during the journey to the Won Jeon site that the person rides in the front seat of the hearse (if allowed) holding the picture, or picture is placed in the hearse in front of the coffin inside the hearse, or the picture carrier drives in a car ahead of the hearse with the picture. Men wear the same attire as pallbearers, and women wear white or light-colored clothes and a red flower corsage.

Holy Salter. One individual is also chosen to Holy Salt the path of the casket from the Seung Hwa ceremony to the hearse and from the hearse to the Won Jeon site and the Won Jeon site itself. The Holy Salter wears the same attire as the portrait carrier.

Procession to burial ground. After the service, the procession to the burial ground should begin. The Holy Salter goes first, followed by the picture carrier, followed by the pallbearers carrying the casket.

The hearse is followed by the vehicles carrying the immediate family. The funeral home can arrange for limos to carry the family to the Won Jeon site. When you choose a funeral home, discuss in detail what services are provided for what price. They often offer "packages" of services, as well as "a la carte" services. Make sure that what you choose includes only the services you want.
After the immediate family, all others form a line of vehicles following the hearse, according to the instructions given at the end of the Seung Hwa ceremony.

At the site. At the cemetery, the pallbearers carry the casket from the hearse to the burial site, preceded continually by the person using Holy Salt and the picture carrier. (If the site is on a hill, the head of the body should be placed uphill when the casket is placed next to the grave.) Although not mentioned in the Tradition book, the altar should be set up as at the Seung Hwa ceremony, with incense burning and the candles lit.

A shovel with a ribbon on it should be prepared and standing by near the soil.

Service. The Won Jeon ceremony (graveside service; "returning home to the palace") can be led by the same person who conducted the Seung Hwa ceremony or another person can be chosen.

The general format is:

• Holy Song (usually "Song of the Garden")
• Representative prayer
• Sermon (or Hoon Dok Hae reading)
• Any words to be offered by other significant leaders and/or members of the immediate family
• Lowering of the casket (if allowed by cemetery rules)
• Flower and soil offerings
• Closing prayer
• Three manseis

Flower offering. Family and friends (everyone or representatives) may then place a flower on the casket.

Soil. Representatives of the immediate family should then throw a shovelful of soil on top the casket. Other significant individuals may also do so. This recognizes that the body returns to the earth.

The service ends with a closing prayer and three manseis. The candles and incense are extinguished, if used.

Post-ceremony activities. The immediate family and all individuals participating in organizing and carrying out the ceremonies may want to dine together following the Won Jeon ceremony, or a reception may be organized at a convenient location.

The immediate family takes home with them the individual's picture. There is no special ceremony when re-entering the home after any of the above ceremonies.

[ Top | Introduction | Organ Donations | The Meaning of Seung Hwa | Three Phases | Preparation of the body and casket | 1. Ghi Hwan Ceremony | 2. Seung Hwa Ceremony | 3. Won Jeon Ceremony | After the Seung Hwa Ceremony | Support Committee | Casket | Pre-Planning | Checklist ]

Website: http://www.nationalwonjeon.com/