Originally a form of socialization: Professor Hsu Fu-chuan points out that the basic sentiments in funerals included mourning, gratitude, reserve, and filial piety. The Analects of Confucius note that the fundamental significance of funerals lies in mourning.
徐教授指出，盡哀、報恩、有節、教孝，原是喪禮的主要精神。