In Cantonese funeral customs, when it reached 100 days, is the time to place the “soul” of the deceased on the ancestral tablet.
This means the deceased’s mourning period is over, he/she can receive the family’s incense along with the ancestors.
Someone once asked, do every deceased person can be placed on the ancestral tablet when its reached 100 days?
In traditional customs, not every deceased can be placed on the ancestral tablet. Anyone who is unmarried, leaves the family (including those divorced) or dies prematurely, cannot be placed on the ancestral tablet.
But over time, the people have different view on this. They think that since they are family members, why can’t they be placed on the ancestral tablet to be worshipped by the family members? If they do not, where do they go?
Worshiping ancestors is a Chinese tradition being passed down. It is a way of cherishing, being grateful, and expressing the feelings of believers. Today, the traditions of placing deceased on the ancestral tablet have also changed with the changes of the times.
Ancestral tablet
为亡者归祖先位
在广东丧事习俗里，为亡者百日归祖先位是丧事习俗里最后的一个仪式。所谓归祖先位，是指亡者的丧期已满，可以位列祖先一起领受家入或后人的香火。
曾有人问，是不是每位亡者，一到百日就可归祖先位？
在传统的俗礼里，並不是每位亡者都能归祖先位。凡是未婚者，离开家族者（包括离婚者）或夭折，都不能归祖先位。
但随着时间的推移，这传统的俗礼已被现代化思想的亲人有所否定。他们认为，既然是家人，为何不能归祖先位呢？如不能归祖先位，亡者何去何从？
祭拜祖先是华人“慎终追远”的传统。它是缅怀、感恩，也是寄托信徒们的情怀的一种方式。时至今日，亡者归祖先位的传统俗礼，也因此跟随时代变迁而转变了。
祖先位
