Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. Influenced by Buddhism, many Chinese people believe that the souls of the dead stay and protect their descendants.
Traditionally, the Chinese choose burial, but those who adhere less to tradition may also choose cremation. Often, a Feng Shui master is asked to guide the next of kin and to ensure that all the rituals are performed correctly. The Feng Shui master determines the date, the location and the time of the burial.
The dead were buried in simple vertical earthen pit tombs with a few pottery vessels as offerings. At Yangshao sites vessels made for food offerings were preferred over vessels for liquid offerings.
Chinese burials traditionally occur on hillsides because of their belief in feng shui. The higher the person is buried on the hillside, the better it is for them. Once the body is placed in the grave, family members toss handfuls of dirt upon the casket. After the coffin is covered, the cemetery keeper offers prayers.
In Chinese culture, a mourning period can last for 100 days, which is the length of time it may take for someone's soul to be reborn as another person. During that period, bereaved people might continue to wear grieving colours, and might feel it inappropriate to go to celebratory occasions, like weddings.
A Chinese funeral generally lasts about 7 days. The mourning period can last a lot longer, sometimes up to 100 days after which there can be a final ceremony.
While traditionally inhumation was favoured, in the present day the dead are often cremated rather than buried, particularly in large cities in China.
The day of the funeral. At the end of the visitation period, the casket is sealed. If family members are present, they will turn their backs because they believe that the souls of the people who see a casket being closed will be trapped in the coffin.
It is also taboo to wear bright colours such as red or yellow during the mourning period. Immediate family members wear a coarse burlap overcoat, hat and slippers to show that the mourners' care for appearances and personal comfort have given way to grief.
The Red String that you will usually see at a Chinese Funeral. The red string is a symbol of blessing the departed and the family members wish to give to you; to thank you for attending the funeral. What you need to do, is to coil the red string on any of your fingers.
Most Chinese funerals will include a variation of chanting and music. Traditional Chinese culture believes that loud music will keep evil spirits away.
Refrain from trimming your nails or hair, as these have been given by one's parents. During the initial days of their passing, such acts must be avoided.
The majority of funerals (葬儀, sōgi or 葬式, sōshiki) in Japan include a wake, the cremation of the deceased, a burial in a family grave, and a periodic memorial service. According to 2007 statistics, 99.81% of deceased Japanese are cremated.
Guests at a Chinese funeral wear somber colors like black. Bright and colorful clothing, especially red, must be avoided as these colors are associated with happiness. White is acceptable and, if the deceased was 80 or above, white with pink or red is acceptable as the event is cause for celebration.
Of all world religions, Islam is probably the most strongly opposed to cremation. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, there is little diversity of opinion about it. Cremation is considered by Islam to be an unclean practice.
Chinese funerals are sombre and serious events. One is expected to pay respects to the deceased so wearing neutral and subdued colours are recommended during the mourning period. Shades of blue, black, white or any other dull colours are acceptable.
Funeral guests are required to light incense for the deceased and bow as a sign of respect to the family. There will also be a donation box since money is always offered as a sign of respect to the family of the deceased. This money will also help the family defray the costs of the funeral.
In the olden days, family members would all gather together in the house of the deceased on the seventh day following the death date. This is when the dearly departed is thought to return back home.
For protecting the body
It's an attempt to care for it even after death. Caskets, be they of metal or wood, are sealed so that they protect the body. The sealing will keep the elements, air, and moisture from getting inside the coffin.
All others attending a funeral wear bright colors, even white, to signify that their relationship to the deceased was not as strong as close family members. Red is not worn because it is the color of happiness and worn at weddings.
It has been used to prevent the odor of decay, to give family members closure and prevent them from witnessing the decomposition of their loved ones, and in many cultures it has been seen as a necessary step for the deceased to enter the afterlife or to give back to the cycle of life.
The Chinese cultures believe that green bones after cremation are the final gift of the deceased to their family and are a welcome sign.
Typically, funerals are held within a few days up to a week after the person's death. This gives the family enough time to make arrangements with the funeral home and contact the loved ones of the deceased.
Monetary gift
It is a very common tradition to offer money, known as 'white gold', at a Chinese funeral. The 'white gold' is preferably in odd numbers such as $30 or $50 and is placed in a white envelope which will be given to the bereaved loved ones at the funeral reception.