Custom of Funeral in Vietnam.

Funeral is the last thing must do for the dead, so it must be solemnly organized. It is a way for the soul of those who are living is peace in mind and a way to give the dead to the another world.



Formerly, funeral ceremonies are as following: the body is washed and dressed; then "phan ham" ceremony, a pinch of rice and three coins are dropped in the mouth in order to avoid ghost, devil on the way to the another world, it's like the way which Egyptian do, but instead of putting coin in the mouth, they put coin on the eyes as bribes for a guide to the another world. Then the body is put on a grass mat laid on the ground according to the saying “being born from the earth, one must return back to the earth.” The dead body is enveloped with white cloth, the action called "kham liem" ceremony, and put into the coffin that called "nhap quan"ceremony. Finally, the funeral ceremony is officially performed.


The deceased person’s sons, daughters, and daughters-in-law have to wear coarse gauze turbans and tunics, and hats made of straw or of dry banana fiber. The deceased person’s grandchildren and relatives also have to wear mourning turbans. During the days when the dead are still laid out at home, the mourning will go on with worshipping meals and mourning music. Relatives, neighbours, and friends come to offer their condolences.

The date and time for the funeral procession which must be carefully selected. Relatives, friends, and descendants take part in the funeral procession to accompany the dead along the way to the burial ground. Votive papers are dropped along the way, depending on each ethnic, they will or not use votive papers. At the grave site or longer depending on each ethnic, the coffin is buried and covered. After three days of mourning, the family visits the tomb again; after 49 days, the family stops bringing rice for the dead to the altar. And finally, after 100 days, it is the end of the tears. After one year is the ceremony of the first anniversary of the relative’s death and after two years is the ceremony of the end of mourning.