LinkedIn. Family and friends sing hymns and soft music plays during a Catholic mass. In a funeral of the Hmong people here, the dead will often be left hanging for 3 - 7 days, outside under the sun for 1 - 2 days, depending on what day the fortune-teller says they will be buried. Family members usually have to wear Vietnamese funeral white headbands, but the style will vary slightly between biological children, in-laws, siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal The funeral, held at home, usually includes a large tent set up in front of the building for guests to visit. Once this ritual is done, everyone begins to eat and socialize, talking about their ancestors and eventually moving on to conversations about their lives and current events. According to Vietnamese funeral traditions, when the person is out of breath, a chopstick is placed across the jaw to prevent teeth from grinding together and some rice, and three coins (or gold) are put in so that the dead person does not turn into a hungry ghost. From the colors of dress to the length of visitation, the characteristics of a Vietnamese funeral ceremony are significant yet varied. Cake values integrity and transparency. . We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. First, the body is cleaned using a towel with water infused with fragrant leaves and rice wine. They can be "pleasant and feared, harmless and dangerous, moral creatures and unhappy suicides, male and female, human and un-human". This is seen as disrespectful. In the Buddhism religio subject to our Terms of Use. If you choose flowers make sure to avoid reda color reserved for happy occasions, not funerals. Another important aspect to remember during Dam Gio is. Family and friends take turns keeping vigil over the body throughout the night. A typical funeral music band includes trumpet, drum, and Vietnamese two-chord fiddle playing. Many Vietnamese people see death as a natural phase of the life cycle. It only takes 5 minutes. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. There are many cultures with specific rituals and celebrations devoted to ancestral worship. The photo, incense bowl and altar tray are brought back and placed on the altar, which must always be incense and smoke during the mourning period. In the past, family members prepared the food themselves. During these 49 days, the soul is on its journey into the afterlife. This is seen as an important part of honoring the deceased and showing respect for their memory. Shorts or dresses below the knee and shirts that don't expose too much work perfectly. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. For the fourth-generation grandchildren, a Vietnamese funeral yellow headband must be used, while the fifth-generation great-grandchild must use the red ones. of an actual attorney. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. Strong family members will turn the coffin in a way that its head faces the altar and its end faces the door. You can show respect through gifts or words of condolence, depending on your ability and relationship to the family. Many Vietnamese traditions and customs are based around their ancestral beliefs. Bodies can be cremated or buried in Vietnamese culture, it typically depends on the religion and preferences of the deceased and the family. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. Not all Vietnamese people eat vegetarian at a funeral, but most do. In Vietnam, this is a tradition known as Dam Gio. Our funeral plannersmany of whom speak Vietnamesespecialize in culturally sensitive funeral and burial traditions, and they work closely with families to design ceremonies that truly reflect the unique lives of the people being honored. Ancestor worship isnt as much a superstition as it is a religious practice in Vietnam. Even if the family isnt Buddhist you may find Buddhist traditions present, so its useful to be familiar with them. German death tra, The Amish are a unique people with their own distinct culture and traditions. Ancestors that aren't properly worshiped turn into malevolent ghosts that haunt family members. Before that, the family will create an altar for the dead. This article will explore the Amish f. You're voting too often. You should first find out the school of Buddhism the family belongs to if they are Buddhists. The first Vietnamese believed they were the descendants of a dragon and an angel. Family members and close friends prepare the body by washing and dressing the deceased in their best suit of clothes. This belief dictates death planning for the Vietnamese. According to the Vietnamese concept, death is not an end but they just move to another world, reunite with their ancestors, and then there will come a time for the living to meet those who have passed away. Christmas Card Etiquette After a Death in the Family. Csikszentmihalyi, M. Confucius. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford, 31 Mar. As soon as the family is certain their loved one is no longer alive, the cleansing ritual starts. The burial is another time for the family to grieve and say their last goodbye. The family altar is often carried to the gravesite where it is reassembled. As mentioned before, death anniversaries bring generations of family members together in ancestor worship. Celebrating a one-month-old baby is like commemorating a president's first 100 days in office. Staterooms at our Whittier mortuary and the newly built Hua Yuan Ceremonial Complex are designed with the specific cultural needs of Asian families in mind. Vietnamese funerals offer you a brief look at the colorful culture of its people. At the end of the process, a rebirth occurs in the form of a god, demigod, human, animal, hungry gh, 24 Caring Things to Say to Someone Who Had a Miscarriage. , Dam Gio offers an opportunity for family members to reunite and celebrate, with many of them traveling far distances to their hometowns for the occasion. Another important aspect to remember during Dam Gio is what to say on a death anniversary. When it comes to the offerings for ancestors, its normal to see many traditional dishes, fruit, wine, tea, and chopsticks set out. A bowl of rice, a boiled egg, a small plate of salt, and a small cup of water are what they need to prepare. Meanwhile, the grandson of the deceased wears a hat and white robe; son-in-law and brothers wear white long shirts, and sisters use twisted white fabric to tie her hair. There is a mass on the 7th, 49th, and 100th day after death. Many families prefer to wear white headbands, while others choose to wear yellow ones to the funeral. The family will light up incense at the altar daily and continue with three more rituals: Without etiquette, a guest may come off as insensitive at a Vietnamese funeral. Many take place in a funeral home, not a temple. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. Note:No matter what a family's culture and traditions are, planning or attending a funeral is hard. Vietnamese funerals are one of the important events of the family, not only showing traditional customs and rituals but also for family members to express their regret and condolences. Ancestor worship isnt as much a superstition as it is a religious practice in Vietnam. Worshiping ancestors is not only a channel to show respect and honor, but is also a channel to ask for favors and divine help. Once the coffin is about two meters underground, the family will bid adieu to the deceased and leave. Funerals are a time for close and extended family and friends to come together to assist their loved one into the afterlife. There are many unique elements that go into making up the ceremony of Dam Gio. . The Witness Crematorium at Rose Hills accommodates this preference. Pregnant women are forbidden to attend a cremations since it is believed the released soul may become entrapped in the baby's body instead of continuing its journey into the spirit world. As a unique part of culture and one of the oldest customs of the country, Vietnamese funerals include many strict procedures, rites and regulations, in terms of costumes, music, food, etc. It is also important to make sure you don't wear any expensive clothing or accessories with bright colors, patterns, or logos. Meanwhile, the H'mong ethnic people in Ho Mit Commune, Tan Uyen District, Lai Chau Province also have a depraved Vietnamese funeral custom that needed to be changed. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. This event is usually celebrated once a year, and it can be in honor of more than one family member who has passed away. Vietnamese bishops recently released a set of guidelines focusing on ancestor worship for Catholic families to follow. They dress the deceased in their finest clothes for the vigil. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online The eldest son leads the procession, carrying a framed photo of the deceased. In Vietnamese culture, actions are important. Each region, each ethnic group will have different customs and habits, so the music used in a Vietnam funeral will also vary, bringing different atmospheres of the funerals. Rose Hills introduced the complexwhich welcomes families of all cultural backgroundsin 2019. In a Vietnamese Catholic home, you will find altars to God and the deceased next to each other. English Deutsch Franais Espaol Portugus Italiano Romn Nederlands Latina Dansk Svenska Norsk Magyar Bahasa Indonesia Trke Suomi Latvian Lithuanian esk . Our state-of-the-art witness crematorium allows families who wish to participate in the cremation of their loved ones to do so. Vietnamese Funeral Customs - Rituals to the Deceased and the Wake For the deceased, the body is washed and dressed in formal clothes. Superstitions differed based on location, too. This link will open in a new window. The family will lay the body in the coffin, then put in tea bags to prevent odor and humidity. Dam Gio is usually celebrated at the house of the eldest son. Many elderly people revealed that not only are babies buried alive with their mothers, who unfortunately died during childbirth, but babies who are still breastfed also cannot escape the death. Depending on the way they died it will be a joyous or somber occasion. The ceremony you see may be different depending on the region and country of the deceased but the community involvement is the same. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. It's typically celebrated on the same day as the deceased's death. There may be flowers and food. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. This link will open in a new window. Prayers are offered, and the casket is lowered into the prepared gravesite. Although more and more people now cremate their deceased, most people still choose the traditional method of burial, especially in cemeteries for more convenience and solemnity. Bring comfort and peace to those grieving during the holidays. The design of the tall funeral structures called chao pha and heo "trees . This attitude toward death may be influenced by the fact that older adults are highly respected in Vietnamese culture, and therefore, aging and death may not conjure up as many negative connotations as within Western cultures. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. End of Life Care: The Vietnamese Culture. Culture Clues, University of Washington Medical Center, April 2007. depts.washington.edu/pfes/PDFs/End%20of%20Life-Vietnamese.pdf. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. The Western trumpet band is also mainly used in the South, usually playing at Cloth Wrapping and Body Placing stages, and when moving the coffin to its final resting place, but the family can request the music to be played whenever. Some modern families choose to keep the remains in an urn and place the urn in a columbarium or a garden created just to enshrine urns. Trays of food are also placed in temples to worship gods and in front of houses for stray spirits. Once the body is inside the coffin, a monk or a shaman will offer prayers, surrounded by the family. AsianCustoms.eu, All Rights Reserved. Thai funeral customs vary according to the cause of death as well as the age, gender and social position of the deceased. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. If you'd like some help and guidance through the process, check out our post-loss checklist. In modern times, and for practicalitys sake, home altars are now set up to ease the deceaseds journey into becoming an ancestor. Buddhist dont eat meat products 49 days after the funeral (and most dont eat them at all!) Be sure to find out the familys religious preferences before attending. The baby's hair and nails must never be cut during the first . While waiting for the update, the family proceeds to set up an altar for the dead. Flower gifts are set near or around the casket and will be taken to the cemetery. Particularly, if the death is recent or hasnt exceeded two years, its important to be sensitive about what is communicated to the grieving family. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. A funeral procession is a colorful event. Catholic funeral customs, like a mass and wake, are interwoven with Buddhist protocols to create a unique funeral experience. This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. You will act with the same kind of somber respect as you would at any funeral. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Be mindful of the dress code. In addition to the beliefs and customs associated with Vietnamese funerals, there are also some traditional superstitions and beliefs surrounding death that you may encounter while attending a funeral service. This ensures the deceased an easy journey to eternity. Loss is hard. (Note: In Vietnamese culture, odd numbers are typically considered to be lucky. The reason for this very cruel custom is explained in a very simple way, which is because life in the deep mountains in the past was inherently poor and harsh. Attending a funeral can be a stressful experience, especially if you're unsure of the cultural or religious traditions associated with it. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. instead of hanging a colorful background panel. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. Whittier - FD970 | Alhambra - FD17 | City of Industry - FD1660 |Hua Yuan - FD2404, 2023 SCI Management, L.P., All Rights Reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Yes, it is appropriate in Vietnamese culture to send funeral flowers as a gesture of sympathy. The day when death takes place is incredibly important. All will stay close to the coffin and commemorate the deceased. Odd numbers are considered lucky by the Vietnamese, and when lighting incense, guests should choose three or five sticks, with three being the ideal. Atop a hill, the columbarium has views of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a birds-eye view of Sycamore Valley and SkyRose Chapel. They brought their economy based in rice farming with them from China. A Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral.. The details of this example should not be used as representative of all funerary rituals in Vietnam. Because the celebration is so closely tied to honoring and respecting elders, while at a Dam Gio celebration, its essential to give preference in food, seating, and conversation to anyone older than you. The remains may be scattered in a river or ocean per tradition. The death body is cleaned with alcohol or water, removed from the old clothes and worn in the death clothes. The idea behind this cheerful act is that music can comfort the deceased on the way to hell. Later, adults and children will sing, eat rice soup, and play games until midnight. Each culture has a special way to commemorate the death anniversary of their loved ones. Guests are expected to bow toward the loved one as a sign of appreciation for lessons regarding impermanence of life. Death & Dying Handout Nov 04 - Asian Health Services. In general, discussion, avoid joking, negatively criticizing or discussing sensitive issues that involve the family, and being indifferent to the family's grief. . In addition, the yellow color of chrysanthemums, gerberas, is also used to mean wishing the best to the spirits, so they can go to the afterlife safely and peacefully. This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. Pinterest. It marks the end of a lifetime and premises a good beginning of the next life. Not quite half of Vietnamese Americans are Buddhist. These rituals have been passed down for generations and reflect a reverence for life, death and spirituality. Typically, the women in the family begin cooking early in the morning. A mix of political and religious history has made these funerals special to witness. Death is a logical next step for Vietnamese elders that lived a full, happy life. Please note that the information provided here is just a general overview of Vietnamese funeral traditions, beliefs, and superstitions; it is important to be aware of any specific customs, preferences or beliefs associated with the funeral service you are attending. In Vietnamese culture, death is seen as a natural part of life and not something to be feared or dreaded. EN. Therefore, since 2015, the local government has carried out many educational activities to help the Mong people here change in accordance with new cultural lifestyles and fine customs of the nation. A Vietnamese funeral is a very important event that is rooted in traditional beliefs and customs. After a visitation, friends and family usually share light refreshments and time for remembrance. Why do Vietnamese people eat vegetarian at a funeral? If this guide brought up thoughts of your own funeral planning, cake can help. Musicians accompany the procession and play uplifting celebratory music if the deceased died a natural death after a long life. The deceased is washed once more and dressed in white clothing, then placed in the casket. If the deceased's life was cut short due to misfortune, illness, or an accident, then the music is toned down to a proper somber tempo/style. For example, white is typically seen as a color of mourning in Vietnam, so it's not uncommon for Vietnamese mourners and funeral attendees to wear white headbands or armbands. The mood remains somber. According to Vietnamese funeral customs, if it is permanent, the grave will be built firmly, but if it is reburial, the grave is only lightly covered with earth and grass. Loss is hard. Also, the gloomy sound reminds the family of the passing of their loved one. The family places the body in the coffin on the first day, relatives and friends visit on the second, and on the third, they bury or cremate the body (cremation is a traditional Buddhist approach, but customs differ among families). We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. The father may see the child only after the baby has been cleaned and dressed. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and If you're attending a Catholic Vietnamese funeral, some traditions may include: Funeral Masses usually follow the standard Catholic service; however, there may be readings or reflections based on the life and beliefs of the deceased. Here are the most common funeral rituals so you can know. If youre a close family member youll wear a white robe or hat. so the deceaseds soul isnt connected to death. Other families have pictures of their family members on their. Get started by downloading our funeral planning guide or contact an advisor today. arent played at Buddhist ceremonies. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. Death is an unavoidable part of life, and Vietnamese culture has its own customs, beliefs, and superstitions when it comes to death and funerals. It begins with the preparation of the deceased's body that will be on display at the family home until it is time for the funeral. Family members might try to crawl into the casket to be closer to the deceased. The length of a Vietnamese funeral can vary. Keen to explore the world? Dam Gio, or the Great Memory, is a traditional Vietnamese death anniversary that is celebrated once a year to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. When a Vietnamese person dies, his or her family will mourn for several days, inviting friends and family as well as a religious leader to say goodbye. Except from the depraved customs, funerals in Vietnam are a long-standing and unique culture that brings many human values to the local people. Vietnamese funeral flowers can be fake or real, most commonly a combination of the two, arranged in full circles, topped with a ribbon on which the senders condolences are written. After the body has been interred, the funeral procession returns to the home where a meal is served. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. Depending on the position of each person in the family, their mourning time for the deceased is different, representing a long-standing civilization with hierarchical order and strict rules. Catholics believe in both cremation and burial, though the Catholic church previously did not encourage their community to be cremated (this has since been changed). If you have been invited to a Dam Gio, its customary to arrive with a death anniversary gift. Contact usfor details. Why do people throw beans at a Vietnamese funeral? Around the world, everyone celebrates birthdays, but in Vietnam, they celebrate other important dates a little differently. Each family member places a food offering on the altar. Since filial responsibilities are weighed heavily in the Vietnamese culture, and proper death rituals according to one's abilities are important, death rituals give the bereaved a final chance to make it right by the deceased and thus provide a sense of continuity as well as final closure. In the Vietnamese culture, remembering the death of a loved one and conducting a death ceremony is a filial act. Rituals Be aware that there are a variety of Vietnamese cultures and religious practices. After the summoning rite, the eldest child in the family hands out funeral outfits for family members. This phenomenon of people dying close to each other is considered bad luck, bringing more deaths to the family, although how serious it also depends on the date and time of the last breath. For the Vietnamese, death, and the ritual and practice of ancestor worship, constitutes the transfer of power from the tangible life to the intangible. When back from the procession, the family will invite guests to lunch or dinner to show gratitude. Another depraved custom of Vietnamese funeral is do-tom-ami - burying babies alive with their deceased mothers, often in hidden villages in the Central Highlands and some central provinces. At the heart of Hua Yuan is an elegant reception area that showcases the elements of water, sun and air. For information about opting out, click here. In this guide, well break down the history, traditions, and etiquette at Vietnamese funerals. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. A Vietnamese funeral begins with a wake and follows specific traditions and rites. Family members take turns sitting with the body while it is in the home. Vietnam or Viet Nam (Vietnamese: Vit Nam, [vt nm] ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia. According to the Vietnamese concept, death is not an end but they just move to another world, reunite with their ancestors, and then there will come a time for the living to meet those who have passed away. Death Rituals in Vietnamese Society. December 01, 2000, www.webs01.hsl.washington.edu/clinical/end-of-life/death-in-viet, Phung, Tuyen. Vietnamese families share food with their lost loved one. Many Vietnamese are lactose intolerant as adults so do not consume much milk. During the afternoon, food and offerings are arranged in front of an altar, and food is served on the table. Prayers, readings, and singing may be part of the service, depending on the religious affiliations and beliefs of the family. Meanwhile, a family member will block off evil spirits by marking each corner of the coffin with a knife. A Vietnamese funeral tradition that cannot be missed is the Filial Music played by Ceremony Band, which used to be called 8 Sound Band for using various musical instruments to represent 8 tones.