Some people will consider it a moot point, but it’s almost a settled issue that there is life after death. In fact, millions of people all over the world are in feverish preparations for the afterlife.

No one can give us a definite answer what it’s like in the afterlife. But who is looking for proof? Even those who were at death’s door and had an opportunity to take a peek talk of seeing only a white, blinding light. Besides, who wants to talk to somebody who comes back from the dead? It’s scary.

If you attend a wake, you’re better off not speculating about where the deceased is heading. Don’t be smart-alecky and question people’s belief about the afterlife. There have been press reports of corpses sitting up and getting out of the coffin during the wake. Strange things happen. You may have strong arguments against life after death, but if the corpse suddenly sits up and looks at you, how can you resist the urge to run. So, run. Waaaaaaaaa!

Don’t take my word for it. Look around. The world is full of spiritual symbols that warn us of a final judgment, of punishment for our sins and blessings for our good deeds. Longfellow once wrote: Our egress from the world/will be nobody knows where/but if we do well here/we shall do well there.

Filipinos actually go beyond recalling memories of their departed love ones. Every year in November, we celebrate All Souls’ Day. The whole population camps out in the cemeteries to clean graves, light candles, offer flowers and prayers. They also bring along playing cards (to play pusoy), mahjong sets, the sing along videoke, and truckloads of food and drinks. The dead must be turning in their graves.

But it’s the Filipino way of honoring the dead. No use in shedding more tears. In fact, for many people, remembering the dead is a happy occasion. The dead cannot complain.

In China, the concern for the welfare of the dead in the afterlife drives people to burn appropriate symbols during the annual Tomb Sweeping Festival, which was held last April 5. The Chinese traditionally burn fake money in honor of dead relatives during the festival when families clean their ancestors’ tombs and graves. They believe the wealth will accrue to their ancestors in the afterlife.

China has moved toward a more consumer-oriented society and the new offerings now include paper TV, mobile phones, cars and other luxury items. This year, press reports said, paper replicas of Viagra pills were burned so dead relatives will have satisfying sex in the afterlife.

In some cemeteries, customers are snapping up the paper Viagra as well as images of condoms and heavily made-up bargirls. The dead ancestors must be really excited during this time of the year.

Whether Chinese or Filipino, every year we make offerings and attend rituals that we believe is fitting honor to our dead. But it’s just us; the dead has nothing to do with it.

In one government office, a doctor asks the clerk to change the death certificate of a man who just died. “Why?” asks the clerk. The doctor said: “Because I signed my name in the space that says cause of death.”

Unlike in other countries, Filipinos have never acquired the practice of putting epitaphs on their graves. But it does not mean they don’t want to leave behind a final message, or what their expectations are in the afterlife.

Again, maybe it’s just us making mistakes and the dead cannot even complain. Many graves are marked with the letters RIP, which is unfair and misleading. As a young woman from the province said: “Ay, puro rip. Kawawa naman.”

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on The Manila Times Internet Edition