How to Plan a Chinese Funeral: A Step-by-Step Guide
Like every other kind, Chinese funerals are a show of respect and honor for the deceased. However, they have unique rituals and customs that have spanned centuries. When planning a funeral with a funeral home in Manhasset, NY, it is crucial that they understand these nuances.
To help you organize a culturally appropriate funeral, we’ve detailed a step-by-step guide below.
Choose a Funeral Home
The first place to start is choosing a funeral home that offers the services you need. It means picking a funeral home that understands Chinese cultural traditions and provides services incorporating its customs.
For instance, an altar is built around the casket and incense in a Chinese funeral, and candles are burned.
Suppose this is something you wish to have at the funeral. In that case, you should determine that it is something the funeral home can provide or is willing to accommodate.
Decide on what to do with the body
Do you want to cremate your loved one’s body? Or do you wish to bury them? The funeral director will follow the deceased’s wishes if they leave instructions in this regard.
However, without one, the family will have to decide. Most Chinese families opt for a full-body burial, but a cremation is also a common option, especially in Buddhist culture.
Plan the Funeral Service
Depending on the religion and customs you wish to follow, there are different structures to a Chinese funeral service.
For example, a Buddhist funeral service includes a Buddhist prayer service, vegetarian food offering, and joss praying items. If you opt for Christian service, it does not include these things.
This is another reason to choose a funeral home that offers culturally tailored services. That way, they can help when you are unsure of what is required.
Write an obituary and send out invitations
After settling on the type of service you wish to have, you and your family members should write an obituary.
A basic obituary notifies the public of your loved one’s passing. However, the details are entirely personal. You can choose to include a brief biography that contains their personality and accomplishments.
After writing it, you can publish it in a local newspaper or online.
Next, prepare and send out invitations to people who were close to the deceased. This will give them a chance to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes.
Arrange the Burial
If you and the family decide on a full-body burial, there are a few things to arrange.
They include identifying a cemetery, the size of the burial plot, and deciding if you want a grave marker like a headstone.
You might also consider having a graveside service involving intimate family members and close friends, but this is optional.
Planning a Chinese funeral requires a lot of work and consideration, and it can be overwhelming.
If you are looking to organize one, we can help. We offer funeral services for different cultures and can assist you in customizing your service according to your preferences and budget. Our Manhasset, NY funeral home location is only a call away, or you can visit us to chat with our funeral director today.
