The Yao believe that souls are stolen by spirits. They also believe that the loss of a soul can cause illness or even death. In order for health to be restored they believe that if the spirits can be convinced through rituals to return to the soul all will be better. Their ceremonies to get rid of these offending spirits usually involve a blood sacrifice and the burning of paper strips that have the offending souls name on it.
When somebody passes away in the Yao culture it is announced by a gunshot. The body is usually washed, dressed and placed in a wooden coffin to then be cremated. The shaman will select a pot to put the ashes in after he consults the sacred books. Interestingly, the Yao of Yaolu Village in The Dayuo Mountains bury their dead in caves.
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