sweep a grave

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Yesterday we went to cemetery to sweep Dad's grave.Dad ,at the age of 92,passed away last October then was cremated in accordance with government regulations.Here each year people sweep grave before Pure Brightness (5th solar term,beginning on Apr.4,5,or 6.).The activities of sweeping grave consist of clearing the grave,burning rough straw paper,setting off firecrackers and bowing or kowtowing to the deceased.It is said that the rough straw paper symbolizes money ,dead person who has lived in netherworld can receive money after burning the paper.In fact It is nothing but emotional sustenance.It expresses a kind of feeling in which the living thinks of the deceased.I wonder how the people from other parts of the world sweep a grave or commemorate the deceased.