Traditional Chinese Funeral Customs

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Monday, November 2, 2020

Chinese funeral rites are steeped in the deep traditions of filial piety that are a large part of the culture overall. The finer details of a funeral can change based on age, gender, marital status, social standing, and cause of death. Burial is often an important element of the funerary process, and cremation is rare. A poor burial can spell bad luck, and even disaster, for the next of kin.

Funeral Preparation Before Death

It is common for those who follow Chinese traditions to prepare for the funeral ahead of time. This may include pre-planning the funeral. A casket may be purchased while a loved one is in a critical condition. Funerals for elders are held in accordance with their age and social status, with the family making sure that their loved one receives a funeral fitting of their status

Customs for the Home

According to Chinese traditions, some changes are made to the home during mourning. The family of the deceased will usually cover statues of deities with red paper. Mirrors may be removed or taken down. It is said that a person that sees the casket through the mirror will have another death in the family shortly after. Doorways are adorned with white cloths. A gong is usually placed at the entrance to the home; on the left for men, and the right for women. 

Traditional Chinese Funerals 

In preparation for the funeral, an undertaker prepares the casket and body for the viewing. The body is dressed in the deceased’s best clothing, and the rest of their clothes are burned. Final clothing should never be red, as it could turn the deceased into a ghost. 

Funerals for Younger Generations

While funerals for elders are focused on status, Chinese funerals for one of a younger generation are solemn events. Filial piety customs establish that an elder should not have to show respect for a younger person. As such, funeral rites for unmarried offspring are mostly taken care of by the funeral home, with little input from the family. The parents do not take the body home, as they might do with an elder. They are also not allowed to offer prayers. Almost no funeral rites are held when a child or infant passes. The child is supposed to be buried in silence, as a eulogy or final goodbye would force an older person to pay respects. 

Matthew Funeral Home has over 50 years of experience in handling funerals for families of all cultures and creeds in the Staten Island community. We have the expertise to ensure that your family’s cultural and spiritual needs are met while providing the care and respect your loved one deserves.
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Choosing the Right Funeral Home

When a loved one passes, or when pre-planning your funeral, it is important to choose a funeral home that you are comfortable with. Planning a funeral can seem daunting, especially when you are dea...

Should You Attend the Funeral of an Ex-Spouse?

When a loved one dies, it can seem obvious that you should attend the funeral. However, when it comes to your ex-spouse, it can get trickier. Divorces and separations can drastically affect the par...

Firefighter Funeral Services

When a firefighter passes away, there are often special practices associated with their funeral services. This is especially true if they died in the line of duty. Below, we will discuss the differ...

Survivor's Guilt & Coping with Grief

After a traumatic or sudden passing of a loved one, it is common for people to experience Survivor’s Guilt. Survivor’s Guilt is a type of grief that creates feelings of wrong-doing surrounding ...

Consoling Non-Religious Mourners

After the death of a loved one, it is common to say platitudes to the family like “they're in a better place” and “I’m praying for you.” But what if the family member of the loved one is non-religi...

Meditation and Working Through Grief

Meditation is a practice for fostering balance and serenity. More people turn to meditation as a way to find peace in a hectic work week, or to help them stay focused. Big tech companies like Googl...

Terminal Illnesses and Grief

When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it can be hard to process your grief and be there for them. Often, family and friends can be an important support network for the sick individ...

Remembering Mom On Mother's Day

As Mother’s Day draws closer, it can be hard to avoid all the greeting card stands and gift displays in stores. After losing your mother, the upcoming holiday can feel bittersweet. Below, we will d...

Phobias and Funerals

Fear can be a powerful driving force in life, but it can also play a big part in dealing with death. Everyone fears something, and fear can often stop us from experiencing new and unique things. Wh...

Are the 5 Stages of Grief Misinterpreted?

In 1969, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross developed the concept of the 5 stages of grief. First appearing in her book, On Dying and Death, the process of grief was conceptualized as how the body reacts to...