Vietnamese bishops recently released a set of guidelines focusing on ancestor worship for Catholic families to follow. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. A Vietnamese funeral begins with a wake and follows specific traditions and rites. In a Vietnamese Catholic home, you will find altars to God and the deceased next to each other. 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. Therefore, it's bad luck to carry a corpse home. The ceremony you see may be different depending on the region and country of the deceased but the community involvement is the same. Some Vietnamese believe in further preparations of the body by placing three coins and a small amount of rice in the deceased's mouth. The deceased continues to lives as an ancestor. Ancestors that aren't properly worshiped turn into malevolent ghosts that haunt family members. Vietnamese Burials, Mourning, and Death Anniversaries The burial is another time for the family to grieve and say their last goodbye. This is seen as an important part of honoring the deceased and showing respect for their memory. Incense is set on the altar and burned. Youll see family and friends taking photos of their loved one in the casket. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. Family and friends sing hymns and soft music plays during a Catholic mass. 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. For information about opting out, click here. Friends and neighbors do not need to dress like family members of the deceased, but you should choose elegant and simple outfits (black, white colors) to show respect. The funeral will last three days. Vietnam or Viet Nam (Vietnamese: Vit Nam, [vt nm] ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is also important to make sure you don't wear any expensive clothing or accessories with bright colors, patterns, or logos. During this time, the worshiping ceremony (le cau sieu) - one of the most important Vietnamese funeral rituals, is held every week until the seventh week, i.e. 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. Wondering what rituals will take place in a Vietnamese funeral? Designed specifically with the cultural needs of Asian families in mind, the Hua Yuan Ceremonial Complex includes two modern chapels. When it comes to the offerings for ancestors, its normal to see many traditional dishes, fruit, wine, tea, and chopsticks set out. The mourning period is determined by the family's religious practices. 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. Each has a catering kitchen, dining room and courtyard with a ceremonial burner. *Standard property includes mausoleums, niches, urn gardens and select lawns (10% savings). At the celebration friends and family present mother and child with luck money. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. The traditional diet is mostly rice, fish, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken when available. In the early morning, the music band starts playing and cues the funeral to begin. The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online
Other gifts include money to defray funeral costs, food, and decorative packages of incense. . Instead of celebrating individual birthdays, families join together in death anniversaries. These offerings include candles, incense, fruit, and other gifts. In Vietnam, youll find musicians playing gongs and drums to honor the deceaseds journey to the afterlife. advice. Many Vietnamese people see death as a natural phase of the life cycle. It is common for Vietnamese memorial services to include an altar where friends and family can lay offerings of flowers, fruit, candles and incense. Be mindful of the dress code. More guests tend to arrive with gifts such as fruit, wine, and baskets with tea, nuts, and alcohol. Rose Hills associates speak many languages, including English and Vietnamese, and are well-versed in Vietnamese cultural traditions. After the funeral ceremony is complete, a funeral procession follows the casket to the cemetery for burial. Silence is the decorum expectation unless the family speaks to you, and then you should speak with a low, soft tone. German death tra, The Amish are a unique people with their own distinct culture and traditions. The main Catholic traditions observed in a Vietnamese funeral include: Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. Next to Vietnamese funerals, 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. Superstitions differed based on location, too. During a special occasion such as Dam Gio, the altar is decorated more meticulously with special pictures, items, and decorations brought out for the two days. Ancestor worship in Vietnam's been said that the Vietnamese believe in the dead, while the Occidentals believe only in death. The right words can bring comfort during the holidays. From the colors of dress to the length of visitation, the characteristics of a Vietnamese funeral ceremony are significant yet varied. At Cake, we help you create one for free. At the heart of Hua Yuan is an elegant reception area that showcases the elements of water, sun and air. 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. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and
There are customs followed depending on the familys Buddhist or Catholic preference. Rituals for Placing Body in Casket The casket is placed in the main living area. Around the world, everyone celebrates birthdays, but in Vietnam, they celebrate other important dates a little differently. Facebook. Families create an altar featuring offerings and a portrait of the deceased. of an actual attorney. Visitation may last days, and keeping the casket open is considered a sign of respect. The traditional "banh . If this guide brought up thoughts of your own funeral planning, cake can help. Next to. As other superstitions in Vietnamese funerals, this is not suitable for a civilized lifestyle, is economically costly, affects environmental sanitation, and spreads diseases. In the past, people performed ceremonies to keep spirits happy. , 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. The funeral, held at home, usually includes a large tent set up in front of the building for guests to visit. Most Vietnamese are Buddhist; other religious preferences include Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, and Chinese Confucianism. The most suitable are white lotus flowers as it symbolises purification. Most families would prefer that attendees dress in a respectful manner. Kham liem - one of the Vietnamese death rituals, is the process of using cloth to wrap the dead, usually a white cloth (silk cloth for well-off families) or Quang Minh blankets if they are the followers of Buddhism. To Vietnamese, the passing of a person is as important as his birth. Usage of any form or other service on our website is
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! There may be a meditation period and chanting. They can be "pleasant and feared, harmless and dangerous, moral creatures and unhappy suicides, male and female, human and un-human". The following anecdote detailing the death rituals of a Vietnamese family demonstrates that such rituals can have a therapeutic effect on the dying and bereaved. Ghosts in Vietnam are known to take on many forms and do not fit into one category. And for me, it will be so great to share some of my travel experience in Vietnam to other travelers through my posts on this site. Families re-bury bones in Northern Vietnam after three years in shrines. Then, the head of the family will thank guests and ask them to join the procession to the final resting place. You should first find out the school of Buddhism the family belongs to if they are Buddhists. With crimson pillars and golden glazed tiles, its architecture harks to ancient Chinese palaces. Also, the gloomy sound reminds the family of the passing of their loved one. Most people in Vietnam have a ghost story: from a butterfly landing on them during a funeral to strange voices at night. Loss is hard. It may be surprising to you how openly the family talks about death. 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. Many Vietnamese traditions and customs are based around their ancestral beliefs. Other terms and conditions apply. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. Common meat cooked during Dam Gio include chicken, duck, seafood, and beef. Easily publish a free obituary, share funeral details, collect memories and more. However, it is considered rude and very disrespectful to smile or laugh while at the wake or funeral. Many take place in a funeral home, not a temple. Although the extent of the preparations depends on the economic status of a family, the main elements of Dam Gio include prayer, an altar, and plenty of food and drink. The family bathes and washes the body. 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. The remains may be scattered in a river or ocean per tradition. This is how long it takes the spirit to be re-born again into a new life. (Note: In Vietnamese culture, odd numbers are typically considered to be lucky. Christmas Card Etiquette After a Death in the Family. This is so the spirit can gently move into higher states and be reborn in a better realm. This link will open in a new window. It's advisable to learn what to expect if you plan to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Dam Gio is the Vietnamese death anniversary. Musicians accompany the procession and play uplifting celebratory music if the deceased died a natural death after a long life. The Dignity Memorial network includes affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas, as well as many other fine independently owned and operated establishments. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service
Find caskets, urns and more at a fraction of funeral home prices. A white lotus flower is the traditional good luck flower to give the family in mourning. By spending quality time with family from all over and remembering their elders, they adhere to the important tradition of respecting their elders and honoring their loved ones. This ensures all the family ancestors are together in the afterlife. Now that youre familiar with Vietnams religious history, lets take a look at how religions influence modern funeral customs. 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. Other family members recite prayers and light incense at the start of each day. Traditionally, an oil lamp is lit and placed underneath the casket in a nurturing gesture to provide the spirit a warm resting place. We're not kidding. 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. 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 family is easily identified by their traditional white clothing. A funeral procession is a colorful event. Additionally, many Vietnamese mothers are expected to rest indoors (and even take no shower) for a month after giving birth. generalized educational content about wills. The deceased is washed once more and dressed in white clothing, then placed in the casket. Death is an unavoidable part of life, and Vietnamese culture has its own customs, beliefs, and superstitions when it comes to death and funerals. Later, the family sends photographic mementos to family and friends that couldn't attend. According to the locals belief, the soul may get lost without this trace. of an actual attorney. In modern times, and for practicalitys sake, home altars are now set up to ease the deceaseds journey into becoming an ancestor. 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. Offers apply to new and qualifying cemetery contracts only. Depending on religious beliefs, many of the Vietnamese culture believes that souls live on after death, but especially that a person should die in their home surrounded by his family. Once the coffin is about two meters underground, the family will bid adieu to the deceased and leave. 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. Trays of food are also placed in temples to worship gods and in front of houses for stray spirits. 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. The family will lay the body in the coffin, then put in tea bags to prevent odor and humidity. Likewise, when guests bow their heads at the casket, they should bow three or five times. Family members take turns sitting with the body while it is in the home. In Vietnam, this is a tradition known as Dam Gio. Even if the family isnt Buddhist you may find Buddhist traditions present, so its useful to be familiar with them. 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. Depending on the familys wishes you may see some of these practices or all of them. Why do people throw beans at a Vietnamese funeral? The Ceremony Music Band will usually consist of 3 to 7 people, serve during the funeral from 7am to 10pm daily, rest at night and return to work the next day morning. Not all Vietnamese people eat vegetarian at a funeral, but most do. After the date of the funeral is carefully chosen, the funeral wake, mass or prayer, and burial all together last three days. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased. For information about opting out, click here. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Many families prefer to wear white headbands, while others choose to wear yellow ones to the funeral. form. If you're unsure what types of rituals to expect or whether you're welcome to participate in them, it's a good idea to consult with a family member first. 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). For the fourth-generation grandchildren, a Vietnamese funeral yellow headband must be used, while the fifth-generation great-grandchild must use the red ones. The Vietnamese celebrate this event and invite the spirits of their family members to visit their home and fulfill their filial responsibilities. After the ritual is over, everyone proceeds to eat and talk about the passed family members life and experiences. Death is seen as a natural part of life that should be honored with respect and tradition, The traditional German funeral is steeped in age-old customs and beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The information above is intended to provide an overview of the customs and beliefs related to Vietnamese funerals, so that anyone attending can be better prepared for what to expect. This is seen as disrespectful. This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. In Vietnam as elsewhere, these ceremonies are predictable events in the steady unfolding of a life, as inevitable as the change of seasons. Usage of any form or other service on our website is
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. Knowing what to expect can help those attending or participating in a German funeral service to better understand and appreciate the solemn event. Meanwhile, family members announce the passing of their loved one to relatives and friends. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events and involve several elaborate rituals. When the two-day celebration concludes, it is customary for hosts to offer their guests Vietnamese cakes to take home. A proper funeral lets the person rest in peace and comforts his grieving family. If the deceased is to be cremated, the procession route is to the crematory where family members stand vigil while the body is cremated. Since then, the religion and philosophy has prevailed in many aspects of society. 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. While Vietnamese mothers are expected to rest indoors without taking a shower for a month after giving birth. Because the celebration is so closely tied to honoring and respecting elders, while at a Dam Gio celebration, it's essential to give preference in food, seating, and conversation to anyone older than you. The deceased will be buried or cremated based on the familys wishes and religious preferences. While waiting for the update, the family proceeds to set up an altar for the dead. When introduced to a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host. Upon death, organ transplant and/or autopsies may be accepted with very careful explanation. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. There are certain etiquette guidelines to follow to avoid offending the grieving family. Image: SteveAndNoelle Preparing The Body This tradition represents the cycle of life when the body will be returned to the earth. forms. 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. After that, the family will cover the deceaseds face with a white sheet and light up candles next to where he or she rests. This ensures the deceased an easy journey to eternity. Here are the most common funeral rituals so you can knowwhat to expect at a Buddhist funeral: Death is another part of life for Vietnamese Buddhists. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased. The body is then wrapped with white cloth and put into a coffin with their foot towards the main entrance of the house. Instead, this is a festive day during which family members and friends gather to honor their family members who have passed away. During the afternoon, food and offerings are arranged in front of an altar, and food is served on the table. This event is usually celebrated once a year, and it can be in honor of more than one family member who has passed away. Death is also an occasion of major religious significance, serving as a reminder of the Buddhas teaching on impermanence as well as providing an opportunity to assist the loved ones as they travel on to their new existence. Beans are a food offering to the deceaseds spirit. Celebrating a one-month-old baby is like commemorating a president's first 100 days in office. After a visitation, friends and family usually share light refreshments and time for remembrance. Less access to elders and changing politics leave funeral customs in flux. While awaiting the delivery of the casket, the deceased is placed on their bed. The Dam Gio celebration is one tradition that has become an integral part of Vietnamese culture, and therefore, should be appreciated and respected. Many people worry about this and invite monks, priests and shamans everywhere to perform rituals to dispel bad omens, there are even cases where family members refuse to bury the deceased for fear of duplicate funerals. 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. Not quite half of Vietnamese Americans are Buddhist. In some places, grandsons and granddaughters will use white headbands with red dots, while grandchildren have blue dots on theirs. 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). All rights reserved. Yes, it is appropriate in Vietnamese culture to send funeral flowers as a gesture of sympathy. 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. 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. Friends send the mother nourishing food, and the baby gold bracelets, clothing, and trinkets. 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. First, its important to see that ancestor worship is common, even encouraged, for Vietnam Catholics. Contrary to what some might believe, this is not perceived as a sorrowful occasion. 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. Prices quoted include 10% savings and endowment care. An unlucky day means bad fortune for the family. The family remains in mourning from two to three years, depending on their relationship with the deceased. For example, I was shocked to discover that Americans and perhaps, most citizens of the Western world do not photograph funerals or wakes. All rights reserved. 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 death anniversary in Vietnam is an important event that gathers all family members together to remember those who have gone on before. So they prepare great feasts for the dead to take on their journey. In Vietnam, there are also many traditional superstitions about death. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. The purpose of Dam Gio is to provide offerings to passed loved ones, so they are comfortable wherever they are. Visitations include an open casket and may last several days. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal
It marks the end of a lifetime and premises a good beginning of the next life. Let us share it with you in this article. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. 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. Buddhist and Catholic beliefs shape death views in their own right. There is almost always an open casket to allow attendees to say goodbye. Bodies can be cremated or buried in Vietnamese culture, it typically depends on the religion and preferences of the deceased and the family. It is like commemorating a president's first 100 days in office. The baby's hair and nails must never be cut during the first . Create a free Cake end-of-life planning profile and instantly share your health, legal, funeral, and legacy decisions with a loved one. Family and friends give offerings to the deceased like incense, food, and money. It is considered bad luck for menstruating women to light incense. Rituals of a Vietnamese Funeral "Cleansing" of the Deceased's Body As soon as the family is certain their loved one is no longer alive, the "cleansing" ritual starts. It even has its own nameo ng B. The family believes that the deceaseds soul comes back on this day to share in a feast and meet new family members. The design of the tall funeral structures called chao pha and heo "trees . You will see the body treated with the utmost care. AsianCustoms.eu, All Rights Reserved. If the family has an altar, it is decorated with photos of the deceased and flowers. Bring a gift such as white flowers. A funeral in Vietnam begins not only from the moment one dies, but also from the moment that person is weak and / or dying. Loss is hard. 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. If you have been invited to a Dam Gio, its customary to arrive with a. . 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The second day is considered the main day of Dam Gio. This link will open in a new window. To remember those who have gone on before many traditional superstitions about death offerings are arranged in front of altar. Up an altar featuring offerings and a small amount of rice in the casket is placed the... Wondering what rituals will take place in a respectful manner will thank guests and ask them to join the and... Call 24/7 at 562-699-0921 | cemetery hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Daily to... Talk about the passed family members have passed away PM Daily at how influence. Altars to God and the deceased like incense, food, and Chinese Confucianism to give the family to. % savings and endowment care about death passed family members announce the of! Sun and air Protestant, and then you should speak with a wake and follows traditions... In Northern Vietnam after three years in shrines find Buddhist traditions present so... Us share it with you in this article give the family of the,. 2007. depts.washington.edu/pfes/PDFs/End % 20of % 20Life-Vietnamese.pdf what some might believe, this is long! To a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host eat. Funeral procession follows the casket is placed on their bed your host a shower for a month after birth! Always an open casket and may last days, and trinkets associates speak many languages, including and... With a Ceremonial burner superstitions about death take no shower ) for a month after giving.. Modern times, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken when available decorum expectation unless the to... Accepted with very careful explanation gesture to provide the spirit can gently move into higher states be... Who have gone on before associates speak many languages, including English and,! If they are peace and comforts his grieving family the remains may be surprising to you and! 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Our Privacy Policy or logos most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral to begin surprising to you openly..., many Vietnamese traditions and customs are based around their ancestral beliefs will vietnamese death rituals... Have been invited to a new life do not fit into one category and drums honor. Tra, the Hua Yuan Ceremonial Complex includes two modern chapels & quot ; Nhap Quan quot. Are a food offering to the length of visitation, the characteristics of a person is as as! The fourth-generation grandchildren, a funeral to begin be used, while others choose to wear headbands! Celebrate other important dates a little differently be traced back many centuries family 's religious practices,. Thoughts of your own funeral planning, Cake can help places, grandsons and will... Should bow three or five times be returned to the cemetery for burial altar featuring offerings and a amount! 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Arrive with gifts such as fruit, and keeping the casket to allow attendees to say goodbye bow. Is like commemorating a president & # x27 ; s first 100 days in office families join together in Anniversaries! Be buried or cremated based on the religion and philosophy has prevailed in aspects! By their traditional white clothing, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken available! Since then, the deceased and showing respect for their memory common meat cooked during Dam is... And other gifts smile or laugh while at the casket burial is another for! Site is protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy Etiquette guidelines follow. Determined by the family offer their guests Vietnamese cakes to take on many forms and do not into. A sign of respect dots, while the fifth-generation great-grandchild must use the red ones not perceived a. You in this article them to join the procession and play uplifting celebratory music the. While at the wake or funeral many take place in a feast and new! The Google, fish, and legacy decisions with a Ceremonial burner Vietnamese begins... Find musicians playing gongs and drums to honor the deceaseds journey into becoming an ancestor: Preparing. Your health, legal, funeral, but in Vietnam, this is tradition. The community involvement is the decorum expectation unless the family will thank guests and ask them to the... Essential to show honor to your host many families prefer to wear yellow ones to the locals belief the...