chinese tradition visiting cemetery

The amount of money put in the envelope varies depending on the relationship to the deceased but must be in odd numbers. After returning home the family will use an ancestral tablet to worship the deceased. The whole procedure of the funeral and everything around should be done in a proper way. A special red plaque with some inscription on it is put outside the house. If the deceased person was employed, his or her company is often expected to send a large flower wreath and a sizable monetary contribution. GYST was acquired by Cake in 2019. His duties among others include relations with the family ancestors. The Chinese believe that the deceased should have kind of income during his afterlife. Some family members will look away during this time as they believe it could bring bad luck. If buried, this will take place on a hillside. Everyone present at the funeral will get a little red packet with some money. The wake can occur in a couple of different places. The coffin is then put on a funeral vehicle which will take the coffin to the place of burial. A piece of wood is tied over the coffin. The eldest son of the family will then take little bit of soil from the grave and put it into an incense holder. Traditional Chinese funeral flowers are white. A monk will chant in the crematory while the body is being cremated. Body of the deceased is cleaned with a damp towel with some talcum powder applied on it. Chinese families visit the grave together every year. People do not wear the color red because it symbolizes happiness in Chinese culture. The Chinese funeral flower is the iris and it’s common for relatives to bring wreaths made of white irises and it’s customary for the deceased's employer to bring a wreath wrapped in Irises and money. A lot of rules and rituals are followed in the Chinese culture — and if traditional funeral etiquette isn’t followed, it’s said to bring bad luck to the family. One final item, a piece of red thread, may be given. The family wears mourning clothes and walks behind the band. Dogs howling, dreaming of snow, and clipping your nails are only a small handful of things that are said to bring bad luck. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, The Significance of Red Envelopes in Chinese Culture, Victorian Death Photos and Other Strange Victorian Mourning Traditions, Biography of Louis Armstrong, Master Trumpeter and Entertainer, How to Plan a Traditional Chinese Wedding, The Modern Chinese Wedding Ceremony and Banquet, Tips for Celebrating a Chinese-Style Birthday, B.A., Humanities, Florida Atlantic University. These items are sometimes associated with the loved one's interests and are believed to follow them into the afterlife. Fake paper money and miniature items like cars, houses, and televisions are burned. There are Buddhist ceremonies that last at least for 49 days. Visitors bring white money envelopes to help contribute to the funeral fund. At the foot of the coffin the family prepares an altar. During this time, fruit, candles, and flowers are all placed inside the casket with the deceased. If the deceased is a woman, the band is pinned to the right sleeve. The age of the deceased, the cause of death, the fact that the deceased was single or married, the social status of the deceased are all factors that influence Chinese death rites. It’s customary for women to wear black to represent sadness. In some rural places, where families have many relatives, this activity lasts for several days. A hired band resembling a marching band typically leads the procession and plays loud music to frighten spirits and ghosts. It is typically adorned with a large portrait of the deceased hanging on the windshield. The Chinese spend a lot of time with pre- and post-death planning. http://weddings.traditionscustoms.com, my new website about wedding traditions. Announcements of the funeral are sent in the form of invitations. Grandsons and granddaughters wear blue mourning clothes. If a family of the deceased is poor this period can be short, lasting for only 3 days. The practice of any other faith is strictly prohibited in China. Chinese also have a special prayer ceremony held every 10 days. Most Chinese funerals will include a variation of chanting and music. When the coffin is removed from the funeral vehicle and put into the grave site everyone should turn away. This type of funeral service is viewed as a celebration and mourning doesn't take place. There are rules considering the position of the coffin. All mirrors are removed. Professional mourners who are paid to wail and cry are often hired to fill up the procession. Traditional Chinese culture believes that loud music will keep evil spirits away. They view this as a rite of passage and the process is treated with respect. Some funerals can last up to 45 days. Some funerals can last up to 45 days. customarily involves somber clothing and doesn’t feature designs or patterns. This paper should protect the body from dangerous spirits. If buried, this will take place on a hillside. COVID-19 tip: If you're planning a virtual Chinese funeral using a service like GatheringUs, you can still adapt many of these traditions for your online guests. But don't worry! At the funeral, the family will burn joss paper (or spirit paper) to ensure their loved one has a safe journey to the netherworld. Family members must consult the Chinese Almanac to determine the best date to hold the Chinese funeral ceremony. Funeral homes and local temples help the family prepare the body and coordinate the funeral rites. The colour of this cloth differs. If the person died outside of the home, the casket will be displayed in a courtyard. Black symbolized the strongest sadness. Chinese display their love and admiration for family through rituals and following superstitions. Mourners will wear a cloth band on their arms to show that they are in a period of mourning. Search the site GO. During the wake a monk chants parts of Buddhist or Taoist scriptures. In some cases, this kind of service is conducted in silence. Funeral dress customarily involves somber clothing and doesn’t feature designs or patterns. Generally speaking, people drop in at relatives and friends' houses, bringing gifts or red envelopes, and greeting one another with 'Happy New Year'. This stick is a symbol of the soul. Accept. There is often a wake preceding the funeral that may last several days. The money is meant to help the family pay for the funeral. The children of the deceased wear a black cloth. What happens on the day of the funeral and how it is carried out makes a major impact on the deceased's family. Learn the proper etiquette for visiting a Chinese home. If there are many relatives a piece of white cloth is used to connect family to the funeral vehicle. Chinese culture considers anyone over 80 to have had a long, full life. The family might also lead the chanting at the crematory. As you could expect, much of Chinese cemetery customs surrounds the idea of merging old and new. According to a Chinese tradition parents are not suppose to offer prayers for their dead child. A final ceremony may be organized 100 days after death. If a family of the deceased is poor this period can be short, lasting for only 3 days. It is red. At a minimum, families make an annual visit to the gravesite on the Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Festival. Friends and associates complete the procession. Chinese Funeral Etiquette . This way they have everything they need when they enter the spirit world. For example, if the deceased died in the home, his or her casket will be placed inside the home. Then a yellow and white “holy” paper is placed on coffin. A handkerchief may also be given. It’s customary for women to wear black to represent sadness. Some music with gong, flute or trumpet is performed. There are Buddhist ceremonies that last at least for 49 days. And for the soul not to get lost this plaque is put. This paper symbolizes protection. Etiquette for Visiting a Chinese Home. If the deceased is a man people put a gong to the left of the entrance. The colour of clothes worn is also very important. The costs of funerals are quite high. Lauren Mack is a journalist who covers Chinese culture and history. Discover what you'll need to consider when planning, or attending, ... These envelops signify the end of the mourning period and a new beginning. Everyone present at the wake burns an incense and bows as a sign of respect for the deceased. All other clothes that the deceased used to wear when he/she was alive are burned. The cemetery keeper will also offer some prayers. The head of the family should at least be present at first prayer … Yes, you read right. Grandchildren wear blue and grand grandchildren wear a green cloth. This link will open in a new window. But, for most Chinese it is not so important. When everything is over the coffin is closed. There is also a donation box where people put some money as a sign of respect and help for the family. Relatives and friends visit often and bring gifts of candles, fruit, and flowers. When someone in the family dies all statues of Chinese gods in the home are covered with red paper. More prayers are offered and some paper scattered. A plaque is placed outside of the home of the deceased after the funeral ends. Bright and colorful clothing, especially red, must be avoided as these colors are associated with happiness. If the deceased died at home the coffin will also be there. 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