Traditional Chinese Funeral Customs That You Need To Know!

A Chinese custom funeral is rich in history and somber beauty. It serves as a sign of reverence and appreciation for tradition. Geographical location, a family's faith, age, socioeconomic standing, and reason for death can all affect customs.

However, every traditional Chinese funeral in Singapore follows a particular protocol regarding the viewing period's length, attire, and colors.

The Family's Role:-

Chinese families have a reputation for hosting opulent burial services for their loved ones because grandiose funerals contribute to social standing. The funeral is largely planned by the family. They could ask a monk, priest, or other members of the clergy who adheres to the family's religious beliefs for assistance.

Modern Chinese households observe a period of 49 days in place of the customary mourning period of one year and up to three years for the first-born son. Every week, the family prays for their departed member during that period.

Preceding the funeral:-

There are several arrangements to be made once a loved one passes away. A Chinese family may get in touch with a feng shui master to select the day and hour for their loved one's funeral and burial as one of their initial steps. They will ask the feng shui expert to assist them in choosing cemetery land with location and orientation in mind—often on a hill and never under a tree—if a burial hasn't already been selected.

Before a Chinese funeral in Singapore, Chinese families frequently commemorate their loved ones with three days of viewing. The deceased person will be adorned in their finest attire or a customary white funeral gown. Red or other brightly colored apparel can only be worn by loved ones who lived to be 80 years old or older.

If the facilities permit, the family may decide to spend the night with their loved one, even cooking meals there.

On the funeral's day:-

The casket is sealed when the viewing time is over. If family members are present, they will turn away because they think that anyone who witnesses a coffin being closed would have their spirits imprisoned within the coffin. In the same way, mourners at the graveside look away as the coffin is lowered into the ground.

The casket is left open throughout the funeral service. This is regarded as being courteous to the elderly and a departed loved one.

Funeral flowers in China:-

For Chinese funerals, white or yellow mums are most frequently chosen since they represent mourning better. For families from particular parts of China, the white iris is customary.

However, crimson flowers—and frequently a red coffin interior—will be used in the instance of an elder who lived to be 80 years or more. Large floral wreaths and sprays may be present at both the viewing and the funeral, huqun. It's not unusual for flowers to occupy a space.

In the family, mourning flowers are frequently worn in the hair of the women. Depending on their relationship with a loved one, the hue changes:

· White denotes the wives, daughters, and law daughters

· Grandchildren are green

· For great-grandchildren, use blue

· Great-great-grandchildren are shown in red

Burning joss paper and incense:-

The entire funeral ritual may be conducted with xi'ng burning by a sorrowful family. They could also burn joss paper, also known as ghost or spirit money, Xiong Zh, albeit it's frequently made of paper as well as houses, vehicles, and other things. The custom ensures that the departed loved one has all they require for comfort in the hereafter.

At the cemetery service and again a few days later, the family may additionally burn joss paper money or incense.

Money gifts to the family:-

Chinese mourners are supposed to provide cash to the bereaved family diàn y, either during the funeral or the day before. The customary present is a white envelope with an odd money sum. It might be given to a relative or placed in a contribution box. The envelope can either have the gift-name giver written on it or be left blank.

Following the funeral:-

There is a procession to the burial or crematory following the funeral. The oldest son or grandson of the deceased is traditionally designated to lead, holding a large photo of the deceased as well as the incense holder. Family members often follow the leader. Following the family are friends and other visitors.

The service is over when the body of a loved one is buried or transported to the crematory. 

If the family is Cantonese, they present their visitors with red or white envelopes containing sweets and cash. Bring good luck home and leave lousy luck at the funeral. Red is considered lucky in Chinese culture, and the currency denotes wealth. They should consume the sweets and spend the money before visitors get home to ensure their good fortune.