Model of a funeral procession with 71 figures, 1 large and 1 small stretcher, 1 horse. This model I D 3547 a belongs together with I D 3547 b. Chinese funeral rituals comprise a number of traditions that are largely connected with Chinese folk religion and include different rituals depending on the age of the deceased, the cause of death and the marital and social status of the deceased. An essential component is the funeral procession (發引 fā yǐn), the transfer of the hearse in a procession to the burial site or crematorium. Tradition dictates that the eldest son or grandson of the deceased leads the procession, carrying a large portrait of the deceased and the incense burner. He is usually accompanied by a hired band that resembles a marching band and plays loud music to scare away ghosts and spirits. The family wears mourning clothes and walks behind the band. After the family follows the hearse or litter with the coffin. The coffin is usually decorated with a large portrait of the deceased hanging on the windscreen. Friends and acquaintances complete the procession, the size of which depends on the wealth of the deceased and their family. The sons and daughters wear black and white mourning clothes and walk in the front row of the procession. The daughters-in-law follow and also wear black and white clothes. Grandchildren and granddaughters wear blue mourning clothes. Professional mourners are often hired and paid to weep and wail to fill the procession.