Understanding funeral options

If you've never attended a Chinese funeral before, the whole experience can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of different customs and traditions that you may not be familiar with, and it can be difficult to know what you need to do. This article will cover everything from what to wear and how to behave to what you should bring as a gift for the family of the deceased.

What to Wear

When attending a Chinese funeral, it's important to dress conservatively and respectfully. Black is the recommended colour to wear, but if you don't have anything black in your wardrobe, dark colours like navy blue or dark green are also acceptable. You should avoid wearing bright colours, especially the colour red, which is a symbol of happiness in Chinese culture.

How to Behave

At a Chinese funeral, you may see mourners wailing and crying without restraint. In Chinese culture, the expression of extreme emotion is not typically viewed as being socially acceptable — but during mourning, many of these limits on self-expression are removed. Some families will even employ professional mourners, groups of people who look sombre and cry, for funerals.

When attending a Chinese funeral, you may be surprised at the level of emotion on display. While during Western funerals, it can feel as if grief is constrained, the exact opposite is true at an Asian funeral. During the funeral service, do not feel like you need to hold back tears or other signs of upset, as these are viewed as a tribute to the deceased.

What to Bring

If you're close to the family of the deceased, it's customary to bring a gift for them as an expression of your condolences. The type of gift you bring will depend on your relationship with the family. For example, if you're close friends with them, you might bring a food item like fruit or sweets. A simple card or flowers expressing your condolences is appropriate if you're not as close.

Conclusion

Following these guidelines for Chinese funeral etiquette will help ensure that you show appropriate respect for the deceased and their family. By dressing conservatively, behaving respectfully, and bringing an appropriate gift, you can participate in the funeral without offending anyone or making any cultural faux pas. If you would like further advice, contact a funeral service that offers Asian funerals today. A funeral director will be happy to help.