How do you pay respect at a Chinese funeral?

It's common for Chinese families to honor their loved ones with three days of visitation before the funeral. The loved one will be dressed in his or her best clothing or a traditional white burial robe. Only loved ones who lived to be 80 or older can be dressed in red or other colorful clothing.

Do you give money at a Chinese funeral?

Chinese families will typically give the guests a red envelope with either a coin or a dollar bill in it for good luck and a white envelope that has a piece of candy in it to take away the bitter taste of death.

What is appropriate to give for Chinese funeral?

In Chinese culture and most Asian cultures, color symbolism is very significant, which applies to sympathy or funeral flowers as well. Since the color white is associated with death and grief, white flowers like lilies and chrysanthemums are always appreciated. Yellow chrysanthemums are also considered suitable.

What not to do at a Chinese funeral?

Avoid wearing bright coloured clothing and refrain from attending weddings, celebratory events or funeral wakes of friends or acquaintances.

How do you express condolences to a Chinese family?

Typical condolences messages like 'I'm sorry for your loss', and 'My thoughts are with you during this time' are quite safe. In Chinese, you can say something like 'jie ai shun bian'. Apart from the actual condolence wishes, you might find yourself having the opportunity to chat with the deceased family members.

5 Do’s and Don’ts at a chinese funeral

How do you express condolences in Chinese culture?

节哀顺变 jié'āi shùnbiàn, may sound harsh when translated literally as "Please restrain your grief and gradually accept it," but it means the equivalent of "My condolences" or "I am sorry to your loss" in English.

How do you show gratitude to a Chinese person?

The most casual phrase of thanks is “谢了 (xiè le)”, which you would use with your close friends or family members your own age. Moving away from casual thanks, when you're feeling especially grateful to someone you can use the phrase “ 非常感谢你 (fēi cháng gǎn xiè nǐ)” which just means “Thank you very much”.

What Colour Cannot wear to Chinese funeral?

Guests at a Chinese funeral wear somber colors like black. Bright and colorful clothing, especially red, must be avoided as these colors are associated with happiness. White is acceptable and, if the deceased was 80 or above, white with pink or red is acceptable as the event is cause for celebration.

Do you wear black to a Chinese funeral?

The color you should wear to the funeral will depend on the age of the deceased. If the deceased was less than 80 years old when he or she passed, stick with traditional mourning colors like navy, black, or white. However, if the deceased was over the age of 80, the color pink may also be worn.

How much money do you give at a funeral?

How Much Should You Give? The traditional gift is the amount you would have spent on flowers for the service, generally between $50 and $100.

What should you not gift in Chinese culture?

What is the gift that Cannot be given to a Chinese?

Clocks — Bad Luck

Moreover, clocks and watches symbolize the running out of time. This is especially true for seniors. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is the biggest no-no in Chinese culture.

What are some gifts that are not appropriate to give in Chinese?

In Chinese culture, giving someone a clock as a present is absolutely unacceptable. You can't do it because the Chinese phrase for “giving a clock as a present” is 送钟 (sòng zhōng), which sounds similar to 送终 (sòng zhōng), “to pay one's last respects to someone”.

What is the traditional gift for funeral?

Flowers are the most traditional funeral gift. They're a simple way to honor the person who has passed. These are so common that they're even known as “sympathy flowers” or “funeral flowers” by florists. Make sure you know how to send flowers to the funeral to ensure proper timing.

How long is the mourning period for Chinese funeral?

The eldest son of the deceased will retrieve some earth from the grave to put into an incense holder, and the deceased will be worshipped by the family at home using an ancestral tablet. Although the funeral rites are over, the period of mourning by the family continues for another 100 days.

Can you wear blue to a Chinese funeral?

Muted colours like white, black, dark green, dark blue, or grey are appropriate colours of clothing attire in a Chinese funeral.

What color is mourning in China?

White is also the color of mourning. It is associated with death and is used predominantly in funerals in Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese people wore white clothes and hats only when they mourned for the dead.

Can you cry at a Chinese funeral?

Chinese funerals are somber — the funeral is the family's time for deep mourning. Paid professionals are often hired to wail and cry throughout the funeral. Crying and wailing is a sign of loyalty and respect to the deceased. Parents do not offer prayers if the deceased is their child.

What colors are taboo in China?

It is widely known that Chinese people love red because it is perceived to symbolise luck, blessings and happiness. In contrast, blue is considered a 'taboo' colour. This belief is found in regional folktales and is especially strong in several parts of southern China, notably Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

How do you pay respects at a wake?

Pay respects first

If you are offering an incense, light one incense stick and offer it into the censer. Following which, make three respectful bows. If you do not use incense, maintain a moment of silence and send your deepest well wishes to the deceased.

Do Chinese get buried or cremated?

While traditionally inhumation was favoured, in the present day the dead are often cremated rather than buried, particularly in large cities in China. According to the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA), of the 9.77 million deaths in 2014, 4.46 million, or 45.6%, were cremated.

How do Chinese show their love?

Chinese couples tend not to show verbal affection, preferring instead to cuddle or hold hands. Reasons for this include a fear of rejection or loss of face, awkwardness and cultural traditions. Expressing love is an important gesture in any relationship.

What is the Chinese word thank you?

1. Xièxiè – the most common Chinese thanks. As already mentioned, the most common way to say “thanks” or “thank you” in Chinese is xièxiè (谢谢) or xièxie.

How do you respectfully address a Chinese person?

It is considered to be polite and respectful to address a Chinese people by his/her surname, followed by honorific titles like Xian1 Sheng1 (Sir), Nv3 Shi4 (Madam) or the job position. Given names are often called between good friends. Xiao3 Jie3 nowadays is considered to be an offensive way to address young ladies.

How do Chinese people handle grief?

Annually the family must pay their respects to the deceased by making offerings and burning incense. Sometimes roast pig may be prepared and some of it brought to the cemetery as an offering to the ancestor. Mourners are not supposed to participate in any form of entertainment for 100 days.