When does the first seven days begin? What are the taboos of the first seven days?

The first seven days refers to the seventh day after a person’s death. The soul of the deceased will return home to visit on the first seven days. This is a traditional funeral custom. So when does the first seven days start? What are the taboos on the seventh day?

When does the seventh day start?

The first seven days are counted from the day of death of the deceased , that is, the day of death is the first day of the "first seven days". Every seven days is a memorial day, called the "first seven", "second seven", "third seven", "fourth seven", "fifth seven", "sixth seven" and "last seven", totaling 49 days. According to folklore, people have three souls and seven spirits. One soul leaves a year after death, and one spirit leaves every seven days. The soul is gone after three years, and the spirit is gone after seven days. Therefore, there are seven periods and three years to pass.

What are the taboos on the seventh day?

(1) On the seventh day after the death of the deceased, one must not allow time for trivial family matters, arguments or conflicts, which would make the deceased sad and regretful, or make him or her linger on in the world and unwilling to leave.
(2) When burning paper money on the seventh day, a banquet should be prepared at home. The more sumptuous the better. After all, on the seventh day, many officials from the underworld will escort the deceased back home. These officials have different tastes, so try to make the banquet as sumptuous as possible so that these officials are well fed and no longer afraid of the deceased.
(3) On the seventh day after death, one cannot go to the cemetery to offer sacrifices to the deceased. This is mainly because on this day, the evil spirits are looking for a replacement. If one rashly goes to offer sacrifices to the deceased on this day, the deceased will be taken as a scapegoat.
(4) On the seventh night after the death of the deceased, if there are women who are in confinement or people with 40 years of age at home, they should avoid the deceased and his ghosts.
(5) On the seventh day after the death, if family members dream about the deceased or see him/her at home, they should not be alarmed. Instead, they should calmly inquire about the deceased and help him/her properly handle any unfinished matters. Let him go west with peace of mind.