ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the connection between happiness and bereavement, focusing on how family bonds change and influence emotional well-being after the passing of a parent or grandparent. In the Chinese context, the link between happiness and proper mourning of one’s parents is ingrained in Confucian concepts of mourning well and appropriately. Intense grief upon the death of a parent is considered fitting and moral by collective emotional standards, as filial piety, characterized by respect and love for one’s parents and grandparents, holds a place of importance. A happy family is defined in part by children who perform acts of service throughout their lives and properly mourn their parents after their passing. While the intensity of mourning lessens over time, the expectation is for memorial activities to persist throughout one’s lifetime. Consequently, the practice of grave sweeping stands as an important ritual in China, where families gather annually to visit the graves of their departed parents and grandparents. Families gather to offer food, paper gifts, and provide updates on family matters to the deceased. The mourning practices organize time and actions, guiding the emotional adjustment of the bereaved. As a result, grave sweeping offers a lens to explore the relationship between happiness and the ritual practices embedded within a society.
