論「喪主」

The theory of ''Chief mourner''

「喪主」，乃從亡者之親友中，依親疏、尊卑等關係立之，對內 以統理喪事，對外以代表喪家。《禮記．喪大記》言：「喪有無後，無 無主。」古禮對於立喪主之事甚為重視，喪禮必有主人，若遇喪者無 子嗣或子嗣年幼，也要以他人代之。但《儀禮》及《禮記》中，對於 喪禮何時立喪主，並無明確記載；至於立喪主之法，亦散見各《禮》 書中，而缺乏系統論述。本文擬從「立喪主之時」及「立喪主之法」 兩節論述「喪主」之設置，並附論「喪主」與「護喪」之關係。

'Chief mourner''is the important person in funeral. He is a relative or friend of the dead people. He is representative of the relatives of the dead people.He handles the funeral arrangements,and be a representative of the family. This paper will discuss this issue from the following perspectives: 1. When to establish a chief mourner? 2. How to establish a chief mourner? 3. ''Chief mourner'' and ''People assisting in the funeral''