B. The Ancestral Remembrance Service Procedure

1. Pre-service standards
(1) Dressing and assembly: The Principal, Assistant Officers, ceremonial attendants (including the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants) and musicians change into the ceremonial attire and assemble outside the entrance according to their designated positions and prepare for entry.

(2) Explaining the ceremonial procedure: the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendantsbriefly explain the ceremonial procedure and things to note, to the Principal and Assistant Officers.

(3) A person should be sent to light the lantern, the incense burner and the candles in preparation.

(4) Lining up: The Presenter will announce “diǎn lǐ jiāng yú wǔ fèn zhōng hòu kāi shǐ，qǐng jì guān, lǐ sheng, zàn sheng, yuè sheng, zhǔn bèi pái bān” (“The Ancestral Remembrance Service will commence in five minutes. May the Principal and Assistant Officers, the ceremonial attendantsand the musicians prepare to line up”). The Master of Ceremony, the Lead Musician and the bell and drum musicians take their positions. The persons responsible for each team enter by designated paths to stand at their respective positions, andthe ceremonial attendants will line up opposite them.

2. Commencement of the Ancestral Remembrance Service
(1) Commencement of the Ancestral Remembrance Service
The Master of Ceremony calls: “jì sì diǎn lǐ kāi shǐ” (“May the Ancestral Remembrance Service begin”), all the ceremonial attendants stand upright at their starting positions.

(2) First sounding of the drum
The Master of Ceremony calls: “gǔ chū yán” (“May the drum sound for the first time”). The drummer strikes the drum frame once, then beatsthe drum centre with both drumsticks, hard and soft consecutively, changing the pace from slow to fast, and changing the strength from firm to weak, and then from weak to firm, then decrescendos to silence. The drum centre is then struck once,followed by the bell being struck once to finish. All musicians remain at their starting positions.

(3) Secondsounding of the drum
The Master of Ceremony calls “gǔ zài yán” (“May the drum sound for the second time”). Strike the drum and bell as before, but the frame of the drum, the drum centre and the bell are struck twice at the start and finish.

(4) Third sounding of the drum
The Master of Ceremony calls “gǔ sān yán” (“May the drum sound for the third time”). Strike the drum and bell as before, but the frame of the drum, the drum centre and the bell are struck three times at the start and finish.The musicians and ceremonial attendants prepare to take their posts.

(5) Ceremonial attendants attend to their respective duties
The Master of Ceremony calls “zhí shì zhě gè sī qí shì” (“May the ceremonial attendantsattend to theirrespective duties”).Based on the pace of the ceremonial attendants, the drum sounds four times and then pauses. All ceremonial attendants follow the drumbeat in bringing the left foot together, standing upright, then they stoop to bow and stand up straight. At the fourth drumbeat, the ceremonial attendants and the musicians turn right and left based on their respective posts and stand straight. As the drum sounds again slow and continuously, the musicians slowly walk to their post, starting from their left foot in line with the rhythm of the drum, one step per beat; the ceremonial attendantsat their original positions take one stepto the left and one step to the right,and then starting from their left foot, slowly walk to their post following the designated path. Once they reach their posts, the drum will pause and then sound once to finish. The orchestra then sits down together.

(6) The Ceremonial Supervisor takes his position
The Master of Ceremony calls “jiān lǐ guān jiù wèi” (“May the Ceremonial Supervisor take his position”).The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants then call “qǐng jiān lǐ guān shēng jiē jiān lǐ” (“May the Ceremonial Supervisor come on stage to oversee the service”). After the Ceremonial Supervisor is led from their front right to their post, they then move back two steps, turnaround and return to the rest area. The Ceremonial Supervisor stands on the east end and faces southwest.

(7) The Assistant Officers take their positions
The Master of Ceremony calls “péi jì guān jiù wèi” (“Assistant Officersto take their positions”).The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants then call “qǐng péi jì guān jiù wèi” (“May the Assistant Officers take their positions”) and lead the Assistant Officersinto position. The Assistant Officers stand on the red carpet in order of entry leaving approx 15cm from the ends, then turn to face the memorial tablets. If there are too many people, they may be arranged into two rows.

(8) The Principal takes his position
The Master of Ceremony calls “zhǔ jì guān jiù wèi” (“May the Principal takehis position”), and the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants then call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān yì guàn xǐ suǒ”(“May the Principal go to the wash area”) while guiding the Principal to the front of the wash area. The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants then call “guàn xǐ” (“Wash up”). After the washing, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “jìn jīn” (“Present the towel”). After the Principal has wiped his hands, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants lead the Principal to turnaround and calls “qǐng zhǔ jì guān jiù wèi” (“May the Principal take his position”), while leading him to his position.

(9) Opening the entrance
The Master of Ceremony calls “qǐ fēi”(“Open the entrance”). The Left and Right Ceremonial Attendants walk together towards the centre. As they approach the door knocker, they turn to face the entrance and open it by holding the knocker with both hands and pulling the panels backwards. They then standon either side of the entrance.

(10) Light the firecrackers
The Master of Ceremony calls “míng pào” (“Light the firecrackers”).The staff either ignite the firecrackers or ask the audio controller to play the sound of firecrackers.

(11) Reception for the ancestral spirits
After three beats of the drum, the Master of Ceremony calls “yíng shén” (“Welcome the spirits”）, the Lead Musician then calls “yuè zòu xián hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a harmonious tune”). After the drum and bell each sound once, the orchestra starts playing to commence the Reception. The lantern leads, followed by the incense burner, the fan and the parasol, each leaving a space of three to five steps in between. Walk along the both sides of the walkway and out of the side doors. Outside the entrance, assemble together in one horizontal lineand facing outwards, bow three times. Then turn to face theinside and stand together in pairs. Walk through the main entrance following the centreof the walkway, to resume positions and restore the lantern, the incense burner, the parasol and the fan to their originalplaces simultaneously.

(12) Ceremony of Three Bows
During the Reception, the Master of Ceremony calls “quán tǐ sù lì” (“Please be upstanding”). As the fan and the parasol pass by the Principal, the Master of Ceremony calls “xiàng duì bān” (“Turn to face each other”) and all participants must solemnly stand upright and face the team of ceremonial attendants responsible for welcoming the ancestral spirits. As the team returns from outsidethe entrance, the Master of Ceremony will watch their progress and call at an appropriate time “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”), “sān jū gōng”(“Thirdbow”), and each time after it is repeated by the ceremonial attendants, all participants bowtogether. After the team has returned the lantern, the incense burner, the parasol and the fan, the Lead Musician will call “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”), and the Master of Ceremony will call “zhū wèi qǐng zuò”(“Please be seated”).

(13) Presentation of thefood offerings
The Master of Ceremony calls “jìn zhuàn” (“Present the food offerings”),the Lead Musician then calls “yuè zòu xián hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a harmonious tune”). The bell is struck once and the music starts. On hearing the music, the relevant ceremonial attendants present the food offerings and then withdraw and return to their original positions. The Lead Musician then calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(14) Presentation of the incense
The Master of Ceremony calls “shàng xiāng” (“Present the incense”), the Lead Musician then calls “yuè zòu níng hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a peaceful and harmonious tune”). After the drum and the bell sound once, the orchestra starts to play. Before the altar, the Right Ceremonial Attendant lights the incense and waits for the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants to call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng shàng xiāng lǐ，yì shén wèi qián” (“May the Principal offer the incense before the memorial tablets”), and leadthe Principal to present the incense before the memorial tablets. The Assistant Officers and the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants also walk to the centre, and if necessary, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants will use a hand signal to indicate for the Assistant Officers on the left and right to stand facing each other. When the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants arrive at the centre,they then call“qǐng péi jì guān jiù wèi”(“May the Assistant Officers take their positions”) while leading the Assistant Officers onstage to their positions. Once they are in position, the Master of Ceremony calls “shàng xiāng” (“Present the incense”), and after the ceremonial attendants repeat the call, the Right Ceremonial Attendant carries the incense to the Principal who will present the incense. After the incense has been presented, the Left Ceremonial Attendant receives the incense and inserts it into the centre of the incense burner. The Master of Ceremony calls “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”), and “sān jū gōng” (“Third bow”). The Principal bows after each call has been repeated. After the bows, the Second Ceremonial Attendant calls “qǐng zhǔ jì guān fù wèi” (“May the Principal return to his position”) while leading the Principal to his position. For the Assistant Officers, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “qǐng péi jì guān fù wèi” (“May the Assistant Officers resume their positions”) while leading them off-stage to their positions, in the same way that they came onstage. Once they have returned to their positions, the Lead Musician calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(15) Initial Principal Presentation
After the drum and the bell have sounded for the Initial Principal Presentation, the Master of Ceremony calls “xíng chū xiàn lǐ” (“Present the Initial Principal Presentation”), and the Lead Musician follows with “yuè zòu níng hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a peaceful and harmonious tune”). After the drum and bell are each struck once, the orchestra starts playing. The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng chū xiàn lǐ，yì jiǔ zūn suǒ” (“May the Principal present the Initial Principal Presentation and move to the place of the wine”)while leading the Principal to the place of the wine. The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants then call “jiǔ zūn shēng zhù jiǔ” (“May the responsible ceremonial attendant pour the wine”).After the wine has been poured, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants lead the Principal to turn around while calling “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng chū xiàn lǐ, yì shén wèi qián” (“May the Principal present the Initial Principal Presentation before the memorial tablets”), then leads the Principal to the memorial tablets and to take his position onstage as before. When the Master of Ceremony calls “diàn bó”(“Present the silk”), it is repeated by the ceremonial attendants and the Right Ceremonial Attendant will offer the silk to the Principal. The Principal receives the tray, holds the silk with both hands and performs the presentation of the silk. After the presentation of the silk, it is given to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place on the left side of the incense table. When the Master of Ceremony calls “xiàn jué” (“Present the bronze wine vessel”) it is repeated by the ceremonial attendants and the Right Ceremonial Attendant will offer the bronze wine vessel to the Principal. The Principal will hold for thepresentation of the bronze wine vessel. After the presentation of the bronze wine vessel, it is given to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place before the memorial tablets in a central position. The Master of Ceremony then calls “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng” (“Third bow”). After the bows, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān yì xiāng àn qián”(“May the Principal move before the incense table”), while leading the Principal there from his right side. The Lead Musician calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(16) Reading the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading
The Master of Ceremony calls “gōng dú jì zǔ wén” (“Reading of the Ancestral Remembrance ServiceReading”), “quán tǐ sù lì”(“Please be upstanding”), “dú zhù shēng，gōng dú jì zǔ wén” (“May the reader read the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading”). On hearing “quán tǐ sù lì” (“Please be upstanding”), the reader will take the Reading from the left side of the altar. At the altar, the Left Ceremonial Attendant will turn back to face the memorial tables and read the Reading respectfully. After this, they return to stand at their original position. On hearing the Master of Ceremony call “zhū wèi qǐng zuò” (“Please be seated”), the Reading should be returned to its place above the silk. The ancestral remembrance service reading will be incinerated with the silk at the incineration area after the Sendoff for the ancestral spirits.

(17) Ceremony of Three Bows
After the Ancestral Remembrance ServiceReading, the Master of Ceremony calls “quán tǐ xíng sān jū gōng lǐ” (“May all participants bow three times”), and then “yī jū gōng”(“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng” (“Third bow”). Participants bow altogether each time. After the bows, the Master of Ceremony calls “zhū wèi qǐng zuò” (“Please be seated”).

(18) Second Principal Presentation
After the drum has sounded for the Second Principal Presentation, the Master of Ceremony calls “xíng yà xiàn lǐ” (“Present the Second Principal Presentation”), and the Lead Musician follows with “yuè zòu ān hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a serene and harmonious tune”). The orchestra starts playingafter the drum and bell are each struck once. TheLead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān yì jiǔ zūn suǒ” (“May the Principal move to the place of the wine”)and on arrival there, “jiǔ zūn shēng zhù jiǔ” (“May the responsible ceremonial attendant pour the wine”).After the wine has been poured, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants lead the Principal to turn around while calling “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng yà xiàn lǐ，yì shén wèi qián” (“May the Principal present the Second Principal Presentation before the memorial tablets”). After he resumeshis position, the Master of Ceremony calls “xiàn jué” (“Present the bronze wine vessel”). After the presentation of the bronze wine vessel, it is given to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place before the memorial tablets to theright side. For the subsequent three bows, the Master of Ceremony will call “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng”(“Third bow”). After the bows, the Lead Musician calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(19) Final Principal Presentation
After the drum has sounded for the Final Principal Presentation, the Master of Ceremony calls “xíng zhōng xiàn lǐ” (“Present the Final Principal Presentation”), and the Lead Musician follows with “yuè zòu jǐng hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a bright and harmonious tune”). The orchestra starts playing after the drum strikes once. TheLead and Second Ceremonial Attendants call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān yì jiǔ zūn suǒ”(“May the Principal move to the place of the wine”) and on arrival there, calls “jiǔ zūn shēng zhù jiǔ” (“May the responsible ceremonial attendant pour the wine”).After the wine has been poured, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants lead the Principal to turn around while calling “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng zhōng xiàn lǐ，yì shén wèi qián” (“May the Principal present the Final Principal Presentation before the memorial tablets”). After he resumeshis position, the Master of Ceremony calls “xiàn jué” (“Present the bronze wine vessel”). After the presentation of the bronze wine vessel, it is given to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place before the memorial tablets to the left side. For the subsequent three bows, the Master of Ceremony will call “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng”(“Third bow”). After the bows, the Second Ceremonial Attendant calls “qǐng zhǔ jì guān fù wèi” (“May the Principal return to his position”) and the Principal will follow the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants to return to his position from his left. As before, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants will lead the Assistant Officers to follow the Principal off-stage and return to their positions. Once everyone has returned to his position, the Lead Musician calls “yuè zhǐ”(“End the music”).

(20) Consuming the ceremonial offerings
The Master of Ceremony calls “yǐn fú shòu zuò” (“Consume the ceremonial offerings”). The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants will call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān xíng yǐn fú shòu zuò lǐ，yì xiāng àn qián”(“May the Principal move before the incense table and consume the ceremonial offerings”) as they lead the Principal to the incense table. When the Master of Ceremony calls “yǐn fú jiǔ” (“Drink the ceremonial wine”), the ceremonial attendants repeat the words and the Right Ceremonial Attendant will present the bronze wine vessel to the Principal, who will take a sip and then hand it over to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place it on the left side of the incense table. When the Master of Ceremony calls “shòu fú zuò” (“Consume the ceremonial offerings”), the Ceremonial Attendants repeat the words and the Right Ceremonial Attendant will present the offerings tray to the Principal, who will consume a small piece and then hand it over to the Left Ceremonial Attendant to place on the left side of the incense table. The Master of Ceremony will call “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng” (“Third bow”). After the bows, the Second Ceremonial Attendant will call “qǐng zhǔ jì guān fù wèi” (“May the Principal return to his position”) while leading the Principal to his position.

(21) Removal of the food offerings
The Master of Ceremony will call “chè zhuàn” (“Remove the food offerings”), and the Lead Musician follows with “yuè zòu xián hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a harmonious tune”). The orchestra starts playing after the bell is struck once. On hearing the music, the various ceremonial attendants will remove the food offerings and then resume their positions. The Lead Musician then calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(22) Sendoff for the ancestral spirits
After the drum has been struck three times, the Master of Ceremony will call “sòng shén” (“Sendoff the ancestral spirits”), and the Lead Musician follows with “yuè zòu xián hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a harmonious tune”). When the drum and the bell are each struck once, the orchestra starts playing. The Master of Ceremony calls “quán tǐ sù lì” (“Please be upstanding”). As the fan and the parasol pass by the Principal, the Master of Ceremony will call “xiàng duì bān” (“Turn to face each other”) and all participants must solemnly stand upright facing the ceremonial attendants responsible for the Sendoff for the ancestral spirits. As per the Receptionfor the ancestral spirits, the respective ceremonial attendants will carry the lantern, the incense burner, the parasol and the fan and walk together for the Sendoff. Those ceremonial attendants will process out along the centre of the walkway and assemble in one horizontal line outside the entrance and bow three times. After the bows, they will turn outwards and walk to stand in the front of the two side doors, in their original positions. After the observation of the incineration, they walk through the entrance, following the Principal along the two sides of the walkway to resume their positions and return the lantern, the incense burner, the parasol and the fan to their respective stands.

(23) Ceremony of Three Bows
When the team responsible for the Sendoff for the ancestral spirits walks to the centre, the Master of Ceremony will call at the appropriate times “yī jū gōng” (“First bow”), “zài jū gōng” (“Second bow”) and “sān jū gōng” (“Third bow”), and all participants will bow together each time. After the team walks out of the entrance and finishes bowing, the Lead Musician calls “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”). The Master of Ceremony will call “zhū wèi qǐng zuò”(“Please be seated”) and the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants quietly inform the Principal and Assistant Officers to turn back and resume their positions.

(24) Carrying the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading and the silk to the incineration area
The Master of Ceremony calls “pěng zhù bó yì liáo suǒ” (“Carry the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading and the silk to the incineration area”), the Lead Musician then calls “yuè zòu xián hé zhī qǔ” (“Play a harmonious tune”). After the drum and bell sound once, the orchestra begins to play. The ceremonial attendant solemnly and respectfully carries the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading and the silk to the incineration area and then waits to follow the ceremonial attendant responsible for the fan to return to his position.

(25) Observing the incineration
When the Master of Ceremony calls “wàng liáo” (“Observe the incineration”), the bell, the drum and the orchestra will continue to play. The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants quietly inform the Principal and Assistant Officers to turn back to face the entrance and incinerating area, while leading the Principal to the incinerating area and calling “qǐng zhǔ jì guān yì liáo suǒ” (“May the Principal come the incinerating area”). In front of the incinerating area, “wàng liáo” (“Observe the incineration”) is repeated, and the procedure for the Ancestral Remembrance Service and Sendoff for the ancestral spirits is completed with utmost sincerity.

(26) Resuming positions
After the Master of Ceremony calls “fù wèi” (“Resume positions”), all ceremonial attendants then repeat the call. The Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants lead the Principal to return to his position while calling “qǐng zhǔ jì guān fù wèi” (“May the Principal return to his position”). The team responsible for the Sendoff for the ancestral spirits will enter as east and west groups, in the relevant order behind the Principal. The ceremonial attendant carrying the Ancestral Remembrance Service Reading and the silk will also enter with the team and follow the ceremonial attendant with the fan to return to his position. As the Principal returns to his position, the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants will quietly remind the Assistant Officers to move back and turn with the Principal, to face the memorial tablets. After the lantern, the incense burner, the parasol and the fan are in their stands, the Lead Musician will call “yuè zhǐ” (“End the music”).

(27) Closing the entrance
After the Master of Ceremony calls “hé fēi”(“Close the entrance”), the responsible ceremonial attendants will gradually close the door panels with both hands and then return to stand on both sides of the gates, quietly waiting to retire.

(28) Retiring
The Master of Ceremony calls “chè bān” (“Retire the team”). The Principal will follow the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants to turn back and withdraw first. The Assistant Officersare led to turn left or right (as appropriate), to assemble in the centre and process out behind the Principal. The Ceremonial Supervisor is led by the Lead and Second Ceremonial Attendants to follow the Assistant Officers. There is a brief pause after the drum sounds once, and then the ceremonial attendants and the musicians rise to stand and turn in the direction opposite to their entry and stand up straight. As the drum beats continuously in a moderate beat, the ceremonial attendants and the musicians process out to their starting points, starting from the left foot and moving one step per beat. The musicians follow the drumbeats to return to their external starting point and the ceremonial attendants retrace their entry path back to their initial place of assembly. After the drum pauses again, it will beat four times following the pace of the ceremonial attendants, and the ceremonial attendants will follow the drumbeat to turn left or right (as appropriate) to face each other, stoop to bow, rise straight and turn to face the entrance. As the drum beats once to end, the ceremonial attendants process out starting from the left foot.

(29) Conclusion of the Ancestral Remembrance Service
After the Master of Ceremony calls “lǐ chéng” (“The service is complete”), the Master of Ceremony, the Lead Musician,and the bell and drum musicians then retire.