What time does the first seven days start and end? Should we keep the lights on and keep someone at home on the first seven days?

According to folk belief, the soul of the deceased will return home on the seventh day after death, so a sacrifice must be held, called the first seven days. So what time does the first seven days start and end? Should we keep the lights on and someone at home on the seventh day? Come and take a look with us!

What time does the first seven start and end?

The first seven days of soul returning mainly occur in two time periods . The first time period is midnight, which is between 11pm and 1am, and the other time period is from 4am to before dawn.

Should we keep the lights on and someone at home on the seventh day?

Don’t turn on the lights or keep anyone inside on the first seven nights;
On the night of the seventh day, it is best not to turn on the lights or keep anyone around, just make sure the incense is not burned out. It is best for family members to avoid the area and go to sleep. If you can't sleep, pretend to be asleep. Do not get up when you hear any sound. Do not pay attention to any knocks on the door, pretend you didn't hear it, and never open the door.
On the seventh day, the soul of the deceased will return to the home where he died. Therefore, the family should prepare food and use beef, horse meat, mutton, and burnt meat instead of pork. Generally, the closest people to the deceased will guard the first seven days. On this day, the incense cannot stop, otherwise the soul will not be able to find the way home.