In traditional Chinese ritual, upon the death of a person, relatives and friends shave the head, wash the body and clip the nails. The deceased is then placed in a sitting position to facilitate the exit of the soul. Those present call the soul to return, possibly to ensure that the release of the soul was definitive.
References
- "death rite." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 18 Jan. 2005 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=66358>