Tip: If you plan on hosting a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs, discuss with your funeral planner or director on how you can adapt these customs for a live stream and encourage online guest participation. Rose Hills introduced the complexwhich welcomes families of all cultural backgroundsin 2019. After the date of the funeral is carefully chosen, the funeral wake, mass or prayer, and burial all together last three days. There are many unique elements that go into making up the ceremony of Dam Gio. (Note: In Vietnamese culture, odd numbers are typically considered to be lucky. subject to our Terms of Use. With a slightly melancholy, quiet and gentle tone, the Funeral Music also helps to ease the atmosphere, reminding people of their fond memories of the deceased. It is located at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia , with an area of 311,699 square kilometres (120,348 sq mi) and population of 96 million, making it the world's sixteenth-most populous country . Regardless of methods, the persons eternal home is often at a cemetery. What do white and yellow headbands mean at a Vietnamese funeral? 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. 4 Visit/perfume the pagoda festival Pagoda. It marks the end of a lifetime and premises a good beginning of the next life. Meanwhile, the music band changes to another tune to commemorate the pass-away. 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. The usual dcor is a banana bunch, a pomelo, seasonal fruits, and a picture frame of the deceased. 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. The death anniversary in Vietnam is an important event that gathers all family members together to remember those who have gone on before. 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].". Staff Writers. 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. 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. 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). Many religious Vietnamese families are Buddhists. 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. Bring a gift such as white flowers. For information about opting out, click here. A mix of political and religious history has made these funerals special to witness. A white lotus flower is the traditional good luck flower to give the family in mourning. The body is then wrapped with white cloth and put into a coffin with their foot towards the main entrance of the house. of an actual attorney. First, the body is cleaned using a towel with water infused with fragrant leaves and rice wine. Ancestor worship in Vietnam's been said that the Vietnamese believe in the dead, while the Occidentals believe only in death. This link will open in a new window. Mournful tunes start once again to mark the deceaseds final moments with family at home. Typically, the women in the family begin cooking early in the morning. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. Csikszentmihalyi, M. Confucius. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford, 31 Mar. A dignified and thoughtful funeral is not only the farewell of the living to the dead, but it also shows the hearts of descendants, relatives, friends - wishes for them to leave peacefully, without worries. The funeral, held at home, usually includes a large tent set up in front of the building for guests to visit. generalized educational content about wills. Here are the most common funeral rituals so you can know. They often keep their loved one at home after their death for anywhere ranging from three days to a month. The grandchildren and relatives only wear white or yellow cotton headband. Image: SteveAndNoelle Preparing The Body One important aspect of their culture is how they deal with death. A Vietnamese funeral begins with a wake and follows specific traditions and rites. 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. These wreaths are not required but are often sent by many visitors, showing compassion, respect and sympathy for the family. When back from the procession, the family will invite guests to lunch or dinner to show gratitude. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. When it comes to the offerings for ancestors, its normal to see many traditional dishes, fruit, wine, tea, and chopsticks set out. | Terms | Privacy Policy. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Cremating the deceased cremation is the preferred method of disposition at a Buddhist funeral as the physical body is believed to hold little significance, The burning of incense at the altar of the deceased, Singing or chanting different sutras (prayers), Bringing offerings to the person who has passed away (such as incense, fruits, food, or candles), Displaying photographs and memorabilia of the deceased for mourners to pay their respects (usually placed around an altar). We're not kidding. A Vietnamese funeral is a very important event that is rooted in traditional beliefs and customs. Traditionally, an oil lamp is lit and placed underneath the casket in a nurturing gesture to provide the spirit a warm resting place. There is a mass on the 7th, 49th, and 100th day after death. Rose Hills associates speak many languages, including English and Vietnamese, and are well-versed in Vietnamese cultural traditions. People dont speak about death every day, but we all acknowledge the importance of this event. The traditional diet is mostly rice, fish, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken when available. During Dam Gio, its customary to prepare traditional dishes as well as the deceased family members favorite foods. In Vietnam, this is a tradition known as Dam Gio. This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. The typical foodstuffs are three bowls of rice, three cups of tea, and other daily foods, such as hard-boiled eggs. Contrary to what some might believe, this is not perceived as a sorrowful occasion. 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. Facebook. The family altar is often carried to the gravesite where it is reassembled. The funeral will last three days. 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. Some believe that those who fail to show proper respect to their parents and ancestors could receive bad luck and misfortune during their lives. Vietnam is an atheist state, so you might expect a human-centered secular funeral, but thats not always the case. On the third day, everyone gathers at the home for the funeral procession to either the cemetery or crematorium, depending on their faith. The Ceremony Band in the South is working 24 hours a day and sleeps at the family home, using musical instruments usually including trumpets, electric guitars, organs, etc. Later, adults and children will sing, eat rice soup, and play games until midnight. Death is an unavoidable part of life, and Vietnamese culture has its own customs, beliefs, and superstitions when it comes to death and funerals. When introduced to a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online Find comforting things to say and know what to avoid when you reach out to someone who has had a miscarriage. Some traditions forego the symbolic burning of clothing. 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. arent played at Buddhist ceremonies. Then, the head of the family will thank guests and ask them to join the procession to the final resting place. There may be flowers and food. As mentioned before, death anniversaries bring generations of family members together in ancestor worship. After the body has been interred, the funeral procession returns to the home where a meal is served. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Now that youre familiar with Vietnams religious history, lets take a look at how religions influence modern funeral customs. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. Vietnamese funerals headband - Source: nhacaitotnhat.com. Accept, Vietnamese Funeral Service Traditions & Protocol, Vietnamese Burials, Mourning, and Death Anniversaries, In this guide, well break down the history, traditions, and etiquette at Vietnamese funerals. After a visitation, friends and family usually share light refreshments and time for remembrance. Thus, individuals or groups often show up with packs of incense sticks and sympathy money. It's important to be aware of the traditional superstitions surrounding death, however, so keep in mind cultural differences when selecting your flower. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. According to Confucius, one should always maintain respect for parents because filial piety provides the basis of ones morality and character. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. The mourning period is determined by the family's religious practices. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal The men slaughter larger animals such as cows and pigs and take care of chores for the day. The remains may be scattered in a river or ocean per tradition. Easily publish a free obituary, share funeral details, collect memories and more. However, any white flower is considered appropriate. Odd numbers are considered lucky by the Vietnamese, and when lighting incense, guests should choose three or five sticks, with three being the ideal. It's advisable to learn what to expect if you plan to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Other terms and conditions apply. 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