MR.BRAD'S 49TH DAY DEATH REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY.

WHY WAS YESTERDAY AN IMPORTANT DAY?
It was the 49th day following the death of my English teacher, Mr.Brad Ness.
ACCORDING TO THE VIETNAMESE CUSTOMS, HOW IS THIS DAY REMEMBERED?
It is a day when we pray for his soul or spirit at a special service at the church.
Vietnamese believe that when a person dies, his soul/spirit wanders on earth for 49 days.On the 49th day,he will be judged for his actions or deeds during his lifetime on earth that has just ended. If his actions were good, his spirit will go to heaven. If not, his soul will go to hell to repay his debt/karma.
WHAT DID YOU DO ON THE 49TH DAY DEATH REMEMBRANCE  CEREMONY FOR YOUR TEACHER?
WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP? I woke up at 4am and  went to Xom Moi market to do grocery shopping, I  bought 3 kilos of shrimp, beef, pork,chicken and vegetables and spices for the special dinner to be served to family and friends.
WHERE DID YOU GO AFTER THAT?
I took the food to Ms.Ann's home to prepare 4 special dishes for the ceremony.
WHY DID YOU BUY A LOT OF FOOD?
I bought a lot of food in order to feed 50 people who would be attending the death remembrance ceremony.
WHAT DISHES DID YOU MAKE?
We made chicken curry, sauteed beef with lettuce, lotus salad with shrimp, pork and squid, penne rigate in tomato sauce with Italian sausage.
WHERE DID THE CEREMONY TAKE PLACE?
The death remembrance ceremony took place at Mrs. Huan's house at 3pm.
WHAT DID PEOPLE DO at the ceremony?
People came to pay respect to Mr.Brad. They burned incense sticks, prayed and enjoyed the food.
HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE EVENT?
I felt very happy and thankful to the church ladies who had been praying and singing for Mr.Brad during the past 49 days. Deep in my heart, I want to pray more. I hope that my teacher will go to heaven faster.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EVENING?
At 5pm,we went to the church for a special Mass. We visited his gravestone and burned incense sticks to pay respect. We sat near his gravestone to talk about life, Nha Trang, and some beautiful memories about Mr.Brad.