About Unification Church Tradition

The Stages of the Seonghwa Ceremony

September 11, 2012

1. Im Jong Ceremony
2. Seong Yeom Sup Ceremony
3. Ipjeon Ceremony
4. Gwi Hwan Ceremony
5. Seonghwa Ceremony
6. Wonjeon Ceremony
7. Third Day Memorial Service
8. Fortieth Day Memorial Service

The stages of the Seonghwa Ceremony

a) Gwi Hwan Ceremony- A farewell ceremony here the spirit leaves the family and starts his journey to heaven

b) Seonghwa Ceremony- A ceremony carried out for the spirit heading towards heaven.

c) Wanjeon Ceremony – a ceremony where the body is returned back to dust.

1. Im Jong Ceremony

This is where family members stay by the side of a loved one as he or she takes their last breath. The house is cleaned inside out beforehand and clean, bright clothes the departed love done liked are selected and used to dress the body.

2. Seong Yeom Sup Ceremony

A ceremony in which you organize and sort out everything the deceased used during his or her earthly life. After completely cleaning the body, it is dresses in ceremonial Seonghwa clothing.

3. Ipjeon Ceremony

In the Ipjeon ceremony, the body is placed in its casket to rest peacefully. After placing the body in the casket, a Unification church flag is draped over the top. An Ipjeon service is then held. After the service, the person in charge says the following words:

"Before you depart, please solve any issues that you could not settle during your earthly life."

Family members sending (name of deceased) to the spirit world, please also settle any unsolved issues before sending your loved one to the next world.

4. Gwi Hwan Ceremony

This is the ceremony where the immediate family says farewell to the loved one and sends him or her to heaven. After the Ipjeon ceremony and before the Seonghwa ceremony, an offering table is prepared and brought into the room where the body is preserved. As part of the farewell ceremony, the immediate family, close friends and relatives may bring this offering table into the room, whether it is at descendant's home, in hospital or at a funeral hall. Many skip this step, however. The order usually followed is silent prayer, lighting of candles and incense, offering of flowers, prayer and so forth.

5. Seonghwa Ceremony

The Seonghwa Ceremony is held by family and friends for the person passing into the spiritual world. The ceremony is usually held immediately before the Bal-in Ceremony (the ceremony to transport the body to the burial ground) the Seonghwa Ceremony usual takes three, five, seven days after the person ascends, it is the final farewell ceremony for the departing spirit.

The order of ceremony is as follows: opening song, prayer, a report on the person's life course, lighting candle and incense, Seonghwa speech, offering of flowers, prayer of blessing and so forth.

6. Wonjeon Ceremony

The Wonjeon ceremony sends the body back to its place of origin and is part of the interment ceremony, Wonjeon can be defined as the physical body returning to its home, that is, the earth. After arriving at the burial ground, the pallbearers brings small altar and place it in front of the grave. the portrait of the deceased is then placed in front of it. Food is usually placed on the alter.

The Wonjeon Ceremony is carried out in the following order. Opening song, representative prayer, Wonjeon speech, closing prayer, lowering the casket into the grave and scattering soil on top of the casket.

7. Third day Memorial Service

Three days after the Wonjeon Ceremony, immediately family, close friends and relatives visit the burial ground and holy a memorial service as the final ceremony for resurrection. Some also prepare flower, incense, and simple food to offer to the deceased. The order of service follows the procedure a regular service.

8. Fortieth Day Memorial Service

Services may be offered at the burial site 21, 40 and 100 days after the ascension. In the Unification Church, holding a service on the 40th day has become the standard. When offering a memorial service at the burial site, please prepare a small offering table and follow the order of a regular service. When offering a prayer, pray that the decease person can lead a good life in external spiritual world centered on God will. 

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