Twitter. In Vietnam, this is a tradition known as Dam Gio. 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. Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. He then pours wine and burns incense previously placed in the altar. If you attend a Dam Gio celebration, expect to see any of the following dishes: When introduced to a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. Rose Hills is a foremost expert in Vietnamese funeral traditions. What do white and yellow headbands mean at a Vietnamese funeral? Most funerals in Vietnam consist of three stages. They brought their economy based in rice farming with them from China. Funerals are a time for close and extended family and friends to come together to assist their loved one into the afterlife. advice. . Most Vietnamese Buddhists Belong to the Mahayana school. A bowl of rice, a boiled egg, a small plate of salt, and a small cup of water are what they need to prepare. It marks the end of a lifetime and premises a good beginning of the next life. Even if the family isnt Buddhist you may find Buddhist traditions present, so its useful to be familiar with them. Particular passions, milestone moments and legacies created weave together to tell a story that is completely unique. In Vietnam, there are also many traditional superstitions about 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. Download your FREE planning guide today. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Easily publish a free obituary, share funeral details, collect memories and more. *Standard property includes mausoleums, niches, urn gardens and select lawns (10% savings). In this chapter we shall describe the way in which some Vietnamese people cope with death and dying. This period of mourning usually lasts 7 weeks (or 49 days). After the ritual is over, everyone proceeds to eat and talk about the passed family members life and experiences. In Vietnamese homes, people keep altars year-round to remember their deceased family members. Dam Gio is the Vietnamese death anniversary. Example credit transaction: A total purchase price of $ 18,000 financed at 0% with a 10% down payment would require 48 monthly payments of $303.75. 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. Worshiping ancestors is not only a channel to show respect and honor, but is also a channel to ask for favors and divine help. A deep reverence for elders is a cornerstone of Asian culture and an important part of Vietnamese funerals. Our state-of-the-art witness crematorium allows families who wish to participate in the cremation of their loved ones to do so. 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. Some families also include a large red or vibrantly colored banner that hangs down as the background of the altar. Embalming and organ donation are acceptable in the Catholic faith. There are many cultures with specific rituals and celebrations devoted to ancestral worship. This can be fruit, wine, or a gift basket made for the occasion. Offers are subject to change and may not be combined with other offers. Wear traditional white cloth, such as a headband or armband Walk with sticks to symbolize that grief has left them with a need for support Chant sutras (prayers) Bring offerings of flowers and fruit Burn incense to sweeten the air Guests usually wear modest, dark clothing: a tie and jacket for men; a dress or skirt for women. These define the way to the home so mourners can find their way to the wake to pay their respects. This tradition is rooted in Buddhism. This is seen as an important part of honoring the deceased and showing respect for their memory. Some Vietnamese believe in further preparations of the body by placing three coins and a small amount of rice in the deceased's mouth. In the US, older people still prefer a traditional diet, though more meat is available than was in Vietnam. Families re-bury bones in Northern Vietnam after three years in shrines. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. These offerings include candles, incense, fruit, and other gifts. Since then, the religion and philosophy has prevailed in many aspects of society. Instagram. In the past, family members prepared the food themselves. Families spend large amounts on funerals since they believe death is simply the beginning of the afterlife. Dam Gio is usually celebrated at the house of the eldest son. Monks chant and pray in the days leading to the funeral and during the ceremony. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure. 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. There may be flowers and food. Vietnamese Funeral Customs - Rituals to the Deceased and the Wake For the deceased, the body is washed and dressed in formal clothes. This link will open in a new window. Shorts or dresses below the knee and shirts that don't expose too much work perfectly. The grieving process is a. 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. Mung beans are especially popular to use in funeral dishes across Vietnam. 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. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online 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). Youll see family and friends taking photos of their loved one in the casket. 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. If youre a close family member youll wear a white robe or hat. If the family has an altar, it is decorated with photos of the deceased and flowers. 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. Image: SteveAndNoelle Preparing The Body form. Except from the depraved customs, funerals in Vietnam are a long-standing and unique culture that brings many human values to the local people. During the journey, a family member will scatter paper effigy (paper gold bars) to lead the way for the deceased. generalized educational content about wills. The traditional "banh . However, today, it usually lasts around three days. | Terms | Privacy Policy. Around the world, everyone celebrates birthdays, but in Vietnam, they celebrate other important dates a little differently. Living things like rivers, rocks, trees, and mountains all have a spirit. Rose Hills associates speak many languages, including English and Vietnamese, and are well-versed in Vietnamese cultural traditions. 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. After three years, a completion mass is heldsymbolic of the souls passage as an ancestor into the afterlife. Sally is a prolific non-fiction and fiction writer, who has appeared in multiple print and digital publications. A Vietnamese funeral is a very important event that is rooted in traditional beliefs and customs. Since filial responsibilities are weighed heavily in the Vietnamese culture, and proper death rituals according to one's abilities are important, death rituals give the bereaved a final chance to make it right by the deceased and thus provide a sense of continuity as well as final closure. Vietnamese funeral flowers can be fake or real, most commonly a combination of the two, arranged in full circles, topped with a ribbon on which the senders condolences are written. Generally, services will last around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the size and scope of the service. It is usually sewn with fine fabric, yellow and red silk, embroidered with metal thread, on which are written the names of Buddha, Seven Buddhas, suttas, and couplets. 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. Asians, especially Vietnamese, are very peculiar about the notions and perspectives surrounding death. The ritual begins with food and meal preparations. Out of respect for this, you can light an odd number of incense or candles as part of your offering.). In Vietnam, youll find musicians playing gongs and drums to honor the deceaseds journey to the afterlife. Death & Dying Handout Nov 04 - Asian Health Services. The son must also wear a straw hat wrapped with banana sheath and hold a cane (a round bamboo one if the father dies, a square cane made of Folium Erythrinae if the mother dies). The Western trumpet band is also mainly used in the South, usually playing at Cloth Wrapping and Body Placing stages, and when moving the coffin to its final resting place, but the family can request the music to be played whenever. Later, the family sends photographic mementos to family and friends that couldn't attend. They often light an incense stick and bow one or three times before the casket. Confucianism was introduced in Vietnam during the Chinese conquest. Springfield, IL, England. Ethnic groups, like the Hmong, slaughter cows to make sure the deceased travels into the afterlife. 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. 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! Accept, 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. In this guide, well break down the history, traditions, and etiquette at Vietnamese funerals. Another important aspect to remember during Dam Gio is. There are customs followed depending on the familys Buddhist or Catholic preference. However, any white flower is considered appropriate. 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. Hopefully, the above information has helped you better understand the Vietnamese funeral traditions. While Buddhist funeral customs vary from country to country, Buddhists often choose cremation. Other families have pictures of their family members on theirVietnamese altar instead of hanging a colorful background panel. Particularly, if the death is recent or hasnt exceeded two years, its important to be sensitive about what is communicated to the grieving family. The death body is cleaned with alcohol or water, removed from the old clothes and worn in the death clothes. After three years in shrines death & amp ; dying Handout Nov 04 - Asian Health.! 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