Each family member places a food offering on the altar. In a Vietnamese Catholic home, you will find altars to God and the deceased next to each other. Why do people throw beans at a Vietnamese funeral? 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 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. Vietnamese death rituals are multi-day affairs involving the family, close friends, and a priest or monk. First, its important to see that ancestor worship is common, even encouraged, for Vietnam Catholics. In the Vietnamese culture, remembering the death of a loved one and conducting a death ceremony is a filial act. What do white and yellow headbands mean 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. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, In popular Vietnamese culture, the animistic folk religions were melded with, rather than supplanted by religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianis All rights reserved. Many people are carried to the hospital if they are sick. 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. Guests are expected to bow toward the loved one as a sign of appreciation for lessons regarding impermanence of life. At the heart of Hua Yuan is an elegant reception area that showcases the elements of water, sun and air. Confucianism was introduced in Vietnam during the Chinese conquest. 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. Variations within the Vietnamese culture occur between regions, religious . He then pours wine and burns incense previously placed in the altar. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and Most funerals in Vietnam consist of three stages. Common meat cooked during Dam Gio include chicken, duck, seafood, and beef. Most religious Vietnamese are Buddhists. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. The family remains in mourning from two to three years, depending on their relationship with the deceased. AsianCustoms.eu, All Rights Reserved. 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. The eldest son leads the procession, carrying a framed photo of the deceased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Be mindful of the dress code. Most Vietnamese Buddhists Belong to the Mahayana school. . Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. Vietnamese bishops issue guidelines on ancestor veneration., www.ucanews.org/news/vietnamese-bishops-issue-guidelines-on-ancestor-worship/86469, Nguyen, Peter. Worshiping ancestors is not only a channel to show respect and honor, but is also a channel to ask for favors and divine help. Vietnam is an atheist state, so you might expect a human-centered. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. For the fourth-generation grandchildren, a Vietnamese funeral yellow headband must be used, while the fifth-generation great-grandchild must use the red ones. It is like commemorating a president's first 100 days in office. A white lotus flower is the traditional good luck flower to give the family in mourning. If you have an extended stay with the family, you will see them giving food offerings at the home altar before each meal. 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. The most suitable are white lotus flowers as it symbolises purification. 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. In Vietnam, people follow the traditions that are familiar and within their religious borders. 4 Visit/perfume the pagoda festival Pagoda. 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. Instagram. When it comes to the offerings for ancestors, its normal to see many traditional dishes, fruit, wine, tea, and chopsticks set out. During these 49 days, the soul is on its journey into the afterlife. Bodies can be cremated or buried in Vietnamese culture, it typically depends on the religion and preferences of the deceased and the family. form. 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. The family altar is often carried to the gravesite where it is reassembled. 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. After the summoning rite, the eldest child in the family hands out funeral outfits for family members. We're not kidding. The length of a Vietnamese funeral can vary. The idea behind this cheerful act is that music can comfort the deceased on the way to hell. Pinterest. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased. 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. 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. Instagram. Other gifts include money to defray funeral costs, food, and decorative packages of incense. 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. Funeral songs arent played at Buddhist ceremonies. It may be surprising to you how openly the family talks about death. Staff Writers. Close family members wear white or yellow headbands to signal their close ties to the deceased. Currently, there are numerous health care concerns and problems surrounding the Vietnamese culture. Trays of food are also placed in temples to worship gods and in front of houses for stray spirits. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. 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. The grieving process is a. 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. These wreaths are not required but are often sent by many visitors, showing compassion, respect and sympathy for the family. Some families also include a large red or vibrantly colored banner that hangs down as the background of the altar. Not quite half of Vietnamese Americans are Buddhist. Vietnam is an atheist state, so you might expect a human-centered secular funeral, but thats not always the case. English Deutsch Franais Espaol Portugus Italiano Romn Nederlands Latina Dansk Svenska Norsk Magyar Bahasa Indonesia Trke Suomi Latvian Lithuanian esk . We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service A nice funeral flower stand is also a great choice. More guests tend to arrive with gifts such as fruit, wine, and baskets with tea, nuts, and alcohol. The host of the event prays and invites the spirit of deceased family members into the house, leaving more than one tray of food if the spirit decides to bring friends along. Rose Hills introduced the complexwhich welcomes families of all cultural backgroundsin 2019. The death body is cleaned with alcohol or water, removed from the old clothes and worn in the death clothes. 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. Another important aspect to remember during Dam Gio is. 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. 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. Each has a catering kitchen, dining room and courtyard with a ceremonial burner. Typically, the family plays a key role in shaping a ceremony, as do monks or priests. Vietnamese Funeral Customs - Rituals to the Deceased and the Wake For the deceased, the body is washed and dressed in formal clothes. 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! 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. Generally, services will last around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the size and scope of the service. Traditionally, black and white funeral or mourning flags are placed outside the home to follow the road to the main thoroughfare. Family members might try to crawl into the casket to be closer to the deceased. For information about opting out, click here. Its often sadder for families in the North because of the harmony of drums, trumpets and cries, while the atmosphere of the funeral in the South is softer with lyrical songs. The details of this example should not be used as representative of all funerary rituals in Vietnam. However, it is considered rude and very disrespectful to smile or laugh while at the wake or funeral. 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. Family and friends sing hymns and soft music plays during a Catholic mass. As with all Asian funerals, honoring tradition, customs and heritage is fundamental to Vietnamese ceremonies. Therefore, Vietnamese funeral clothes are also focused on, appropriately selected to show respect and remembrance for the deceased, and at the same time clearly distinguish roles and relationships between family members. At the celebration friends and family present mother and child with luck money. 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). Many take place in a funeral home, not a temple. During the journey, a family member will scatter paper effigy (paper gold bars) to lead the way for the deceased. The main Catholic traditions observed in a Vietnamese funeral include: Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Typically, the family plays a key role in shaping a ceremony, as do monks or priests. Mournful tunes start once again to mark the deceaseds final moments with family at home. 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. The death anniversary in Vietnam is an important event that gathers all family members together to remember those who have gone on before. 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 all the family ancestors are together in the afterlife. Buddhist and Catholic beliefs shape death views in their own right. The purpose of this stage is to clean the death body and place it inside the coffin. This link will open in a new window. Many families will bring flowers to the funeral service or visitation and place them around the casket. So they prepare great feasts for the dead to take on their journey. Prayers are offered, and the casket is lowered into the prepared gravesite. In fact, incense burning is a prominent part of Vietnamese funerals. Catholic families hold one mass, but Vietnamese Catholics offer mass for ancestral souls year-round. If this guide brought up thoughts of your own funeral planning, cake can help. At midnight, the family performs another ritual called l quay cu or the turn. LinkedIn. The flowers are gathered and taken to the cemetery or crematory. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, 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. Depending on the religious affiliations of the family, it's common to wear white or dark colors as a sign of respect and mourning. 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. Living things like rivers, rocks, trees, and mountains all have a spirit. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Ethnic people believe that when the children are not breastfed, they will eventually die, so do-tom-ami will help bring the child back to the mother, receiving better care. Home Cruises Special Tours Honeymoon Tours We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. 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. Springfield, IL, England. 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. 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. The average altar is a wooden cabinet that holds flowers and food. 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. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. Of houses for stray spirits midnight, the eldest son leads the procession, carrying a framed of... Vietnamese Catholics offer mass for ancestral souls year-round that music can comfort the deceased Catholics mass... To three years, depending on the religion and preferences of the body,,! Performs another ritual called l quay cu or the turn family performs vietnamese death rituals. 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