What is a traditional Vietnamese funeral gift?

Funeral guests frequently give gifts of money to the family before the funeral. White flowers—especially the white lotus, which symbolizes purification and regeneration—are appropriate. Family members and the person who has passed typically wear white; guests wear black or gray.

What is Vietnamese tradition when someone dies?

Family and friends take turns keeping vigil over the body throughout the night. Close family members hold prayer services before laying the deceased in the coffin. Family and friends give offerings to the deceased like incense, food, and money. The family lights incense daily to remember their loved one.

How long do Vietnamese mourn their dead?

Generally, it is two years for immediate family members. When this formal mourning period is over, it is permissible for the bereaved to plan major life changes such as marriage. The deceased's memory is not erased and the family still observes the anniversary of the death each year.

How long is a Vietnamese funeral?

Vietnamese Funeral and Wake

In the past, a Vietnamese funeral could last up to a month or more. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. 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.

What is 49 days Vietnamese death?

What is the significance of 49 days at a Vietnamese funeral? In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that after death, the soul remains in limbo for 49 days before moving on to the afterlife. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased.

Vietnamese Funeral Culture - Ceremony in Huế City by Czech prayer

How does Vietnamese culture respond to grief?

It is common for family members to force food on patients when they are ill. White is the color for mourning in the Vietnamese culture. The family may express grief with a stoic response or they may respond with crying and weeping. The bereavement process has a positive impact on family health.

What is the significance of 13 days after death?

Pind Sammelan or Terahvin – 13th day of death

Pind Sammelan, also called Spindi or terahvin in North India, is a ritual performed in Hinduism on the 13th day of death of somebody. This ritual is performed to place the departed soul with the ancestors and God.

What do you give a Vietnamese family when someone dies?

Funeral guests frequently give gifts of money to the family before the funeral. White flowers—especially the white lotus, which symbolizes purification and regeneration—are appropriate. Family members and the person who has passed typically wear white; guests wear black or gray.

What food is served at a Vietnamese funeral?

After placing the body in the coffin, loved ones build an altar filled with pictures, flowers and incense. They then take turns placing food offerings for their late loved one's soul at the altar. The standard offering consists of three bowls of rice, three cups of tea and some other distinct dishes.

What flowers are popular in Vietnam?

The lotus has not been officially recognized as Vietnam's national flower; however, it is always dominant in any race to this position. Besides, other kinds of flowers mentioned, including apricot blossom, peach blossom, phoenix flower, and milk flower are popular in Vietnam, both in real life and in artworks.

What do I bring to a Vietnamese death anniversary?

It is customary to bring small gifts like fruits or beers when visiting a family holding a death anniversary. You can ask first if you should offer incense to the altar. In some traditional households, the men and women will sit at separated tables, so you are advised to ask first which table you can join.

Why is 40 days after death important?

The observation of the 40th day after death occurs in Islam and the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The ritual represents spiritual intercession on the part of the dead, who are believed to collectively await the Day of Judgment.

What do the Vietnamese believe about their dead ancestors?

Regardless of religion, Vietnamese believe in ancestor worship. These include grandparents as well as collective national ancestors like Ho Chi Minh or Tran Hung Dao. When a Vietnamese person passes away, it is believed that one's life does not end but that the afterlife begins.

What do Vietnamese families usually have to pay respect to their ancestors?

Vietnamese families usually have a family altar, to pay respect to their ancestors. Vietnamese families have a tray of five different fruits on their altar called “Ngũ Quả” (five fruits type). During Tet the altar is thoroughly cleaned and new offerings are placed there.

Why do Vietnamese give gifts?

In Vietnamese society, gift-giving symbolizes deep connection between people; it represents friendship, tight bond, something that goes beyond being mere colleagues or companions.

What is the most important celebration for Vietnamese people?

"Tết" itself only means festival, but is often colloquially known as "Lunar New Year" in Vietnamese, as it is often seen as the most important festival amongst the Vietnamese and the Vietnamese diaspora, with Tết Trung Thu regarded as the second-most important.

What's the meal after a funeral called?

Separate from a memorial service, a funeral reception is a special event for family members and friends to honor the deceased without a formalized structure. The gathering after a funeral usually has food and drinks and serves as a venue to offer one's condolences to the family. This is also commonly known as a repast.

What is a mercy meal after a funeral?

Post-Funeral Reception

After the body is buried, family and friends gather for a reception, where mourners can connect with each other, reflect on the life of the deceased, and eat a meal, called a “mercy meal.”

What food should I bring to a funeral?

What is a good Vietnamese gift?

Ideas for Gift Giving in Vietnam

If it is for children, chocolate, candies, toys, or lucky money are the best. If you visit someone's house, bring along fruits, liquids, or a box of confectionery. For charitable organizations, it is better to donate clothes, books, food, and other necessities.

Do you give money for condolences?

Many surviving loved ones and attendees place cash in sympathy cards and then drop off those cards at the funeral or memorial service. If the immediate family requested donations for a specific charity, cause or organization, you should not make your gift in cash directly to the family.

Do you give money to family of deceased?

It's common for people to give money at birthdays, weddings, but at funerals giving money isn't always a respectful gift. However, the protocols can sometimes be altered and people may still offer money if that's how they feel, or the grieving family needs the help.

Why are the big toes tied after death?

A toe tag is a piece of cardboard attached with string to the big toe of a deceased individual in a morgue. It is used for identification purposes, allowing the mortician, coroner, law enforcement, and others involved in the death process to correctly identify the corpse.

What food is served on 13th day after death?

The food served to the group consists of rice boiled without salt but garnished with milk and horse bean lentils (urad dal). On the thirteenth day, the mortuary feast is prepared.

What happens on the 9th day after death?

9th day - The soul completed the toll-house journey. Now, it wanders between both Heaven and Hell. It doesn't know where it belongs just yet. 40th day - On the 40th day, the soul finds its final place in Heaven or Hell.