All will stay close to the coffin and commemorate the deceased. todayyou can discover, store, and share your end-of-life preferences with family and friends. Social status and religion influence Vietnamese funeral practices, but Vietnamese funerals generally share a few things: They last several days and are filled with solemn beauty and respect for the person who has died. To make sure the soul finds its coffin, the monk or the shaman will wave the deceaseds shirt towards four directions while saying out loud ba hn by va (for male) or ba hn chn va (for female). Accept, Many people celebrate the death anniversary of their ancestors because they believe that their spirits continue to wander in this world, should be taken care of, and also invited to visit. Other families have pictures of their family members on their. Other families have pictures of their family members on theirVietnamese altar instead of hanging a colorful background panel. The mood remains somber. In modern times, thanks to the education of the government, this custom has disappeared, but its horror remains forever in the hearts of people living in that period. Vietnam is an atheist state, so you might expect a human-centered secular funeral, but thats not always the case. Out of respect for this, you can light an odd number of incense or candles as part of your offering.). Death Rituals & Traditions Around the Globe. This link will open in a new window. 41 Heartfelt Quotes for Missing Loved Ones at Christmas. Meanwhile, family members announce the passing of their loved one to relatives and friends. Theological and Cultural Foundation., www.macsphere.mcmaster.ca/bitstream/11375/10557/1/fulltext.pdf. Funerals are a time for close and extended family and friends to come together to assist their loved one into the afterlife. Additionally, it's common for families to light a candle and offer prayers on the one-year anniversary of a death. 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. Depending on the religious affiliations of the family, it's common to wear white or dark colors as a sign of respect and mourning. The deceased is washed once more and dressed in white clothing, then placed in the casket. This link will open in a new window. Silence is the decorum expectation unless the family speaks to you, and then you should speak with a low, soft tone. After the date of the funeral is carefully chosen, the funeral wake, mass or prayer, and burial all together last three days. First, its important to see that ancestor worship is common, even encouraged, for Vietnam Catholics. Be sure to find out the familys religious preferences before attending. A deep reverence for elders is a cornerstone of Asian culture and an important part of Vietnamese funerals. Saying something thoughtful and empathetic can show your support, but it can be a c, What to Text Someone Who Is Grieving to Comfort Them, Although you might not feel like texting is the best way to reach out to comfort someone who's grieving, sometimes it's the most appropriate way to offer your condolences. 4 Visit/perfume the pagoda festival Pagoda. At the celebration, friends and family present mother and child with luck money. Most religious Vietnamese are Buddhists. It is like commemorating a president's first 100 days in office. Although you are not expected to wear formal attire to attend a Dam Gio, go for simpler clothes that are casual but look nice. 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. There are customs followed depending on the familys Buddhist or Catholic preference. 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. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal In the early morning, the music band starts playing and cues the funeral to begin. Odd numbers are considered lucky by the Vietnamese, and when lighting incense, guests should choose three or five sticks, with three being the ideal. A proper funeral lets the person rest in peace and comforts his grieving family. Home Cruises Special Tours Honeymoon Tours Vietnamese Because of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, older Vietnamese immigrants are potentially at risk for cancers, immune deficiency, endocrine disruption, and neurological damage. The Vietnamese funeral you attend in the U.S. may have some of the traditions above or all of them. Family and friends sing hymns and soft music plays during a Catholic mass. Friends send the mother nourishing food, and the baby gold bracelets, clothing, and trinkets. This is how long it takes the spirit to be re-born again into a new life. Events are similar in pattern to what happens during the first day, but they are focused on worshipping and offering gifts to their ancestors. In Vietnam, there are also many traditional superstitions about death. Close family members wear white or yellow headbands to signal their close ties to the deceased. 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. Vietnamese funerals headband - Source: nhacaitotnhat.com. Dam Gio preparations begin months before the actual day of celebration. form. Families re-bury bones in Northern Vietnam after three years in shrines. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. The next morning comes signifying its time for the procession. This ensures all the family ancestors are together in the afterlife. 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. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. This link will open in a new window. The family remains in mourning from two to three years, depending on their relationship with the deceased. Reincarnation plays an important role in Buddhist funeral traditions, as Buddhists see death as a transition from this life to the next, bringing the soul closer to Nirvana, a state of absolute bliss. 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. While setting up the altar, a family member will take care of hiring a music band to play at the funeral. Visitations include an open casket and may last several days. During the afternoon, food and offerings are arranged in front of an altar, and food is served on the table. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. Please enter email to get furtherinformation for your travel plan, Besides nature's beauty, historical relics,.. Vietnamese souvenirs especially handcrafted gifts with unique and catchy processes, also attract tourists a lot. A bowl of rice, a boiled egg, a small plate of salt, and a small cup of water are what they need to prepare. The burial is another time for the family to grieve and say their last goodbye. When the Vietnamese funerals are over at the grave, everyone will carry the photo and perform the ceremony to go home, but by another way and also stop crying, so that the spirit of the dead person wont follow. If you are wondering why this is such an important event, its important to consider the impact of Confucianism in Vietnam. Many Vietnamese are lactose intolerant as adults so do not consume much milk. However, they are allowed to pay their respects by bowing before the casket. When it comes to the offerings for ancestors, its normal to see many traditional dishes, fruit, wine, tea, and chopsticks set out. generalized educational content about wills. In accordance with traditional funeral rites, Filial Music in the North must express all 8 tones, using all kinds of musical instruments such as trumpet, flute, drum, lute, etc. Whether you are planning a traditional tribute, would like to set up an extended visitation or are looking for cemetery property with positive feng shui, we will work with you for meaningful and beauty. After a death, there is typically a visitation. First, the body is cleaned using a towel with water infused with fragrant leaves and rice wine. 2020. Once the body is inside the coffin, a monk or a shaman will offer prayers, surrounded by the family. Facebook. They often keep their loved one at home after their death for anywhere ranging from three days to a month. The great mourning time for a funeral in Vietnam is 3 years, but in reality only lasts 27 months, while there are many types of small mourning periods, ranging from 3 months to a year. Culture & Arts 0 (+84) 989 383 767 Culture & Arts Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi Attractions Hoi An Halong Bay Sapa Hue Da Nang Nha Trang Phu Quoc Island Mekong Delta More. Their altars tend to include red cloth, flowers, candles, incense, photos, religious icons, and incense. The day when death takes place is incredibly important. Though having similar meanings. Catholic funeral customs, like a mass and wake, are interwoven with Buddhist protocols to create a unique funeral experience. In Vietnam as elsewhere, these ceremonies are predictable events in the steady unfolding of a life, as inevitable as the change of seasons. As with all Asian funerals, honoring tradition, customs and heritage is fundamental to Vietnamese ceremonies. 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. The Witness Crematorium at Rose Hills accommodates this preference. Ancestors that aren't properly worshiped turn into malevolent ghosts that haunt family members. If youre a close family member youll wear a white robe or hat. There are many cultures with specific rituals and celebrations devoted to ancestral worship. Vietnamese Author Dieu-Hien T. Hoang describes her uncle's death, recalling how each family member "used their talent to "serve" [her] uncle [on his deathbed].". When the two-day celebration concludes, it is customary for hosts to offer their guests Vietnamese cakes to take home. Thai funeral customs vary according to the cause of death as well as the age, gender and social position of the deceased. Vietnam or Viet Nam (Vietnamese: Vit Nam, [vt nm] ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia. The first Vietnamese believed they were the descendants of a dragon and an angel. Once the family table is set with all the food, the eldest member of the family prays in front of the altar to invite spirits into the home. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, It is also important to make sure you don't wear any expensive clothing or accessories with bright colors, patterns, or logos. The traditional diet is mostly rice, fish, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken when available. Vietnamese funerals have complex rituals, to say the least: gold coins and rice in the deceased person's mouth, finger and toe nails clipped and packaged, and, weirdest of all, a vigilant guard for the coffin so that cats and dogs don't jump over the body and bring the deceased back to life. Variations within the Vietnamese culture occur between regions, religious . Although death is an inevitable part of life, understanding its customs and beliefs can help to honor the memory of the deceased and show respect for their family. *Expires 3/31/2023. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. Funeral guests frequently give gifts of money to the family before the funeral. The purpose of this stage is to clean the death body and place it inside the coffin. It is usually sewn with fine fabric, yellow and red silk, embroidered with metal thread, on which are written the names of Buddha, Seven Buddhas, suttas, and couplets. The funeral will last three days. . Celebrating a Death Anniversary in Vietnam. Arriving at a funeral empty-handed is not a good gesture. Why do people throw beans at a Vietnamese funeral? According to Confucius, one should always maintain respect for parents because filial piety provides the basis of ones morality and character. Here are the most common funeral rituals so you can know. Note:No matter what a family's culture and traditions are, planning or attending a funeral is hard. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. of an actual attorney. Family and friends sing hymns and soft music plays during a Catholic mass. Loss is hard. The deceased is washed once more and dressed in white clothing, then placed in the casket. In the US, older people still prefer a traditional diet, though more meat is available than was in Vietnam. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. A funeral procession is a colorful event. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online The casket is placed in the main living area. , but thats not always the case. The baby's hair and nails must never be cut during the first . Family members and close friends prepare the body by washing and dressing the deceased in their best suit of clothes. advice. If the deceased is to be cremated, the procession route is to the crematory where family members stand vigil while the body is cremated. Once the coffin is about two meters underground, the family will bid adieu to the deceased and leave. On the second day, visitors come to pay their respects. The Musical Ceremonies carry profound meaning in a funeral in Vietnam, helping the family express their boundless love and compassion while sending off the deceased to eternity in peace. 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. It even has its own name. forms. Rose Hills associates speak many languages, including English and Vietnamese, and are well-versed in Vietnamese cultural traditions. If the family has an altar, it is decorated with photos of the deceased and flowers. If that person dies without saying anything prior, the above things will still happen, but the people around will wait for their relatives to return to look at the deceased one last time before holding a funeral. In the Vietnamese culture, remembering the death of a loved one and conducting a death ceremony is a filial act. Dam Gio is usually celebrated at the house of the eldest son. Most people in Vietnam have a ghost story: from a butterfly landing on them during a funeral to strange voices at night. Buddhist dont eat meat products 49 days after the funeral (and most dont eat them at all!) Traditionally, black and white funeral or mourning flags are placed outside the home to follow the road to the main thoroughfare. You will act with the same kind of somber respect as you would at any funeral. The family will lay the body in the coffin, then put in tea bags to prevent odor and humidity. Make a Cake end-of-life planning profile todayyou can discover, store, and share your end-of-life preferences with family and friends. LinkedIn. The gifts are placed on the altar, and the eldest member of the family proceeds with the ritual of inviting spirits to the home, pouring wine, lighting incense, and praying. However, it is considered rude and very disrespectful to smile or laugh while at the wake or funeral. They dress the deceased in their finest clothes for the vigil. For information about opting out, click here. The one day viewing usually starting in the morning or noon lasts well into the evening, generally the day before the funeral, and typically includes the ambiance of candlelight and incense. The family lights incense daily to remember their loved one. Mournful tunes start once again to mark the deceaseds final moments with family at home. As mentioned before, death anniversaries bring generations of family members together in ancestor worship. Let dogs, cats, or mice jump over the coffin, Cry too much or let tears fall on to the deceaseds body. Other family members recite prayers and light incense at the start of each day. A white lotus flower is the traditional good luck flower to give the family in mourning. Except from the depraved customs, funerals in Vietnam are a long-standing and unique culture that brings many human values to the local people. It is considered bad luck for menstruating women to light incense. All belongings of the deceased will be burnt for him or her to use in the afterlife. This is how long it takes the spirit to be re-born again into a new life. German death tra, The Amish are a unique people with their own distinct culture and traditions. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased. Twitter. It's important to be aware of these superstitions and show respect for any such beliefs should you attend a Vietnamese funeral. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that after death, the soul remains in limbo for 49 days before moving on to the afterlife. Purple wreaths, often using orchids, are also chosen by many people when they want to show pride, respect, and admiration for the contributions and achievements of the deceased. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, One important aspect of their culture is how they deal with death. Existence is a continuum stretching through birth, a life spent in tangible form on Earth, followed by death and a spirit existence in another realm for a further two or three generations. Csikszentmihalyi, M. Confucius. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford, 31 Mar. Death is another part of life for Vietnamese Buddhists. Immediate Need: Call 24/7 at 562-699-0921 | Cemetery hours:Sunrise to Sunset Daily | General business hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Daily. They often light an incense stick and bow one or three times before the casket. This link will open in a new window. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. The traditional "banh . When someone dies, the family will invite a shaman to perform a ceremony and hang the corpse on a rack, and organize a feast at home until the body is taken to the cemetery, where they continue the ceremony. The purpose of Dam Gio is to provide offerings to passed loved ones, so they are comfortable wherever they are. To avoid that, lets check out several dos and donts below: Hi there, I'm a passionate writer about all things culture, travel, culinary, and more! This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. Families create an altar featuring offerings and a portrait of the deceased. As strange as it sounds, the family will ask a monk or a fortune teller for a good hour to bury their loved one. Bells and Gongs: Often there will be a ringing of bells or gongs as a part of the funeral rituals. 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. Rituals Be aware that there are a variety of Vietnamese cultures and religious practices. Keep in mind that many modern families have adopted Western cultural funeral rites, while others have created a hybrid tradition in a blending of the two. Family members will set up an altar right at their home and continue with the next steps of the funeral. For instance, some families believe that it's bad luck for the deceased to be buried on a full moon day, as well as during certain times of the year or during particular festivals or holidays. Ethnic groups, like the Hmong, slaughter cows to make sure the deceased travels into the afterlife. If you attend a Dam Gio celebration, expect to see any of the following dishes: When introduced to a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host. After the body has been interred, the funeral procession returns to the home where a meal is served. Whether you're attending a Vietnamese funeral, organizing one, or just are curious about the customs, this article will provide an overview of Vietnamese beliefs and traditions regarding death, as well as what to expect when attending a Vietnamese funeral. As a result, the Vietnamese people consider Dam Gio to be an incredibly important celebration to do their duty and show respect to those who have gone on before. With crimson pillars and golden glazed tiles, its architecture harks to ancient Chinese palaces. Prayers, readings, and singing may be part of the service, depending on the religious affiliations and beliefs of the family. Rose Hills introduced the complexwhich welcomes families of all cultural backgroundsin 2019. Close relatives are invited for the two days of celebration, and they stay at the house of the host to help with preparations for the last day, which is most important. The most suitable are white lotus flowers as it symbolises purification. This link will open in a new window. Vietnamese people celebrate one month of baby. The typical foodstuffs are three bowls of rice, three cups of tea, and other daily foods, such as hard-boiled eggs. During the funeral service or memorial service, there is typically an altar at which offerings for the deceased are placed. Regardless of methods, the persons eternal home is often at a cemetery. This period of mourning usually lasts 7 weeks (or 49 days). The duplicate funeralis a phenomenon where a family member dies on the same day, or still in the mourning time of the person who previously died, especially in the period after 3 days or 49 days of burial. 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. The remains may be scattered in a river or ocean per tradition. 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. Hopefully, the above information has helped you better understand the Vietnamese funeral traditions. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. Heres some more useful information before you attend. 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. During Dam Gio, its customary to prepare traditional dishes as well as the deceased family members favorite foods. In a Vietnamese Catholic home, you will find altars to God and the deceased next to each other. During the journey, a family member will scatter paper effigy (paper gold bars) to lead the way for the deceased. Because the Vietnamese often attach great importance to their roles, it will help visitors not have to ask more questions, especially on the day of the funeral when the family is sure to be grieving and busy. in this beautiful Southeast Asian country. Prayers are offered, and the casket is lowered into the prepared gravesite. 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. The eldest son leads the procession, carrying a framed photo of the deceased. When not deep in writing, I enjoy a long walk by the beach and contemplating what to write next :D. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. During visitation, the family sits at the front of the room, greeting those who have come to show support. TOP 6 THINGS ABOUT VIETNAMESE FUNERALS TO KNOW, Vietnamese funerals: Vietnamese death rituals, Vietnamese funeral attire for those who come to the funeral, Vietnamese funeral music according to Northern customs, Music in Vietnamese funerals in accordance to Southern customs, Vietnamese funeral superstitions: Do-tom-ami. advice. Lighting candles in remembrance of the deceased. In Buddhism, for older people who are ill and know they are going to die, death is acceptable and is not shocking for the family. Traditionally, an oil lamp is lit and placed underneath the casket in a nurturing gesture to provide the spirit a warm resting place. The body is then wrapped with white cloth and put into a coffin with their foot towards the main entrance of the house. 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