The steps of burning the first seven days and how many dishes are offered on the first seven days

There is a folk belief that the souls of the deceased will return to the world of the living on the seventh day after their death, and at this time paper money should be burned to commemorate them. What are the steps for burning the first seven days? How many dishes should be offered on the seventh day?

Complete steps of burning the first seven

The first seven days should be burned later, and the subsequent seven days should be burned earlier and earlier. What this means is, don't let the dead souls wait there anxiously. Generally, around two o'clock after lunch, when the incense on the altar has burned out, the offerings can be packed up and taken to the grave for further offerings.

1) Place the offerings and draw an arc.
Arrange the offerings, light incense, draw an arc in front of the grave, with the notch pointing to the grave head, and all the offerings should be burned within the arc. Remember, people cannot step into the arc. Don’t forget to place the portion for the “little man” on the left side outside the arc.
2) Burn the offerings and recite the instructions.
When burning the incense, one should chant something like: "(name) Today is your seventh day, take the money and spend it well over there, don't be reluctant." You should also say: "×/×/× is your 27th day, don't forget to come back and get the money" etc.
3) While burning the offerings, don’t forget to burn a few pieces of paper in the four directions around the grave, as pocket money for the onlookers.
4) When the paper is almost burned, pour all the offerings into the fire and burn them. When the fire is extinguished, pour the water in the wine bottle onto the ground along a semi-arc, which is called "pouring". Finally, they kowtowed, bowed, and the daughter cried at the grave.

How many dishes are served on the seventh day of the lunar calendar?

When worshiping the deceased, there are five or twelve bowls of food, such as rice, rice noodles, dried spring onion, leeks, dried tofu, celery, fish balls, meat balls, meat slices, turnips, pig intestines, chicken wings, etc.; as well as other fruits, red balls, cakes, and noodles.