FILIPINO TRADITIONS: DEATH

Attended a funeral in the Philippines (Bisaya region) for the first time and became fascinated with the traditions and superstitions surrounding death while I was over there so asked around and made a video on what I've learned. Leave your thoughts and comments in the section below!
Also apparently my subscribers are now called 'Monicians' according to my cousin - let's see if it catches on haha.
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Thank you guys for watching!

[@ms.angelcabreradepano3078]

thank you for sharing. My dad just passed away this week end and I am still figuring out how to do the final arrangements for him according to Filipino and Catholic traditions. Being not familiar with either one, it's lovely to find a video that helps because reading all these right now would've made my head hurt as I'm still balancing the feelings along with the thinking of what needs to be done. Anyhow, thanks again hun appreciate you sharing this vid. :)

[@MonicaCatapusan]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Planning funerals when you’ve never had to do that before while also dealing with grief will definitely be overwhelming. I’m glad my video has helped you.

[@MADesigns_]

Here’s also what I’ve witnessed that wasn’t mentioned. This could also be specifically what my mom’s province practice and not all of Philippines, but I’m not sure: The day of and after the person’s death, I was told not to bathe or shower. When my Lola died and we visited my family in Phils, I was so confused why her descendants had to walk under the coffin. I tried searching it online, but not a lot of info is found about that. But your explanation makes sense. Also after the funeral service at church, we walked and followed the hearse with a live band behind singing prayerful songs on our way to the cemetery. We walked for 30 minutes under the sun from the church to the cemetery. We were all given balloons with my Lola’s name, and we set it free all together after my Lola’s coffin was lowered to the ground. Another thing I witnessed after her funeral: when we came home from the cemetery, there is someone holding a bowl of water with leaves in it. I was told to rinse our hands, or at least dip our hands in it. I only saw immediate family or defendants do this while the rest of our relatives witness. After we do that, then everyone is welcomed inside our home for 40 days of prayer. That’s what I remembered. Not sure if all of Philippines does this, or if only my mom’s province does this.

[@KlaudTech]

Lit when u described the traditions I was like what 😳 but then when u explained 😱 it made sense It’s nice too see the passed away still getting acknowledged even way after their death ❤️

[@MonicaCatapusan]

Yeah they sound so different to what Western cultures do right? They sound so weird before the reasons and symbolism are explained haha x

[@michaellukehart4276]

Thank You for this video...I'm from USA...but live in manila

[@frisc0pn0ib0i]

Most cases the viewing or the body is held in the home of the deceased. This is common for those who can’t afford to pay for a funeral home

[@bbullwits258]

Awesome video, ladies! Salamat for inspiring and maligayang pasko! My dream is to one day start a charity and inspire many. INgat ka and God bless. - Blaise Francis

[@MonicaCatapusan]

Salamat po! Iko din po, ingat! Maligayang pasko🎅🏼

[@philam1973]

Vigil is not always nine days. If the family want shorter, no problem. If the family doesn’t have a lot of money, the body is in family home. A barangay person is hired as the official prayer leader sometimes. As a visit to the cemetery (after funeral), Filipinos will knock on the headstone to greet the deceased. Red is not recommended clothing. After the funeral, kids who earn (coins) at the cemetery will make a smoky fire for persons to wash themselves in the smoke. No explanation given to me. (Funerals in Cebu)

[@MonicaCatapusan]

Thank you for commenting! That’s interesting, I know it’s different for each family and area in the Philippines. This was the first funeral I ever experienced in the Philippines so I was reciting what happened during my experience but these differences are very interesting!

[@sunsets5218]

😱😱😱😱😱

[@himasekiwari155]

Hmm...its actually both, Both black and white depending on what is requested but a lot of Filipinos choose white rather than Black

[@melveljundaragosa8441]

So random but the title of your video has death in it and your surname literally means the end.

[@MonicaCatapusan]

I know😂 Its been a running joke in my family hahaha

[@melveljundaragosa8441]

@@MonicaCatapusan i really love native filipino surnames. I wish i had one to start conversations with hehe.