Tributes are basically a means to celebrate, recognize, or mourn the achievements or accomplishments of a person. When someone has been ill for some time, there are certain routines that can be followed to help the surviving friends, family members, and relatives of the ill person cope with his or her situation. Through times of joy, tributes are usually a way to state, “thank you, mazel tote, hello, how are you?” throughout happy moments, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or even on days of victory, like at the Olympic Games or the Super Bowl.
Tributes come in many different styles. There are several types of tributes that can be prepared in order to send off to a friend, family member, or associate. Memorial tributes, funeral tributes, and professional tributes. Each type carries a different meaning that depends upon the situation of the deceased, as well as the relationship of the family members to the deceased.
A memorial or funeral tributes can consist of poems, verses, song lyrics, and memories of a loved one. Poems and the written word can help heal the bereaved heart. They can also be a powerful reminder to those left behind of how beautiful life was and how special the person was in life. Some people choose to compose a poem personally instead of just quoting them from a book. When a poem is included in memorial gifts, it helps to uplift and comfort the people who have been affected by the loss.
Tributes that are created in the Chinese tributary system, in the form of portraits, are divided into five sections that represent five different generations in a family. The first section represents the beginning of the life of the person who has passed away. The next section is dedicated to the time during which his/her life was full of struggle and achievement. The next section recalls the achievements during his/her lifetime, and the last section honors his/her memory.
Tributes in the Chinese tributary system are divided according to where the deceased resided. For example, if the person died in his/her homeland, the tribute would be given in that specific country. However, if the person was born elsewhere and received tributes from relatives abroad, they will be presented in the form of an exacted tribute. This exacted tribute normally highlights the key characteristics of the departed. While it is not always possible to carry out an exact tribute, most people still try to create a fitting tribute that pays tribute to their loved one.
In addition to the traditional tributes in the Chinese culture, many people now choose to include photographs in their tribute. Photos can help bring back the nostalgic feelings to those who receive them. Alternatively, some people choose to include poems instead. In either case, the poems are selected with the intention of uplifting the individuals receiving them. Many people also choose to include characters that were particularly significant for the deceased.
Tributes in the Chinese tributary system can be divided further according to how they are paid. In the first two sections of the tributes, the tribute receiver is generally permitted to make the decision on what type of tribute he/she would like to receive. In the third section however, the exacted tribute is selected by the tribute receiver. The exacted tribute is then paid by the individual to someone, usually his/her near and dear ones.
Tributes in the Chinese culture play a vital role in the funeral process. Many people want to pay their respects to the deceased immediately following his/her death. Tributes play an important role in helping families deal with their grief and honor the memory of their loved one. In the United States, many individuals observe a period of time after a funeral service in which they grieve before paying tribute to their departed family member.
