Theravadin Buddhist Chinese Funeral

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I have often been asked how a funeral is to be conducted in the Buddhist way as most of us are confused in our hour of grief and lamentation. The confusion is compounded by the fact that there is no one way practised by the local Chinese compared to those from a different religious faith. This is because we are guided by tradition and customs; a Hokkien funeral is somewhat different form a Cantonese one. Out of blind faith some follow whatever rites and rituals that are advised. Generally, a Chinese funeral is a mixture of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

Capitalising on our love for the deceased, our fear of the dead and ignorance, "mercenaries" cash in on our weaknesses suggesting all sorts of things to be done. Friends and relatives, with good intentions or otherwise, play on our filial piety by offering advice. As a result unnecessary expenses are being incurred and useless rites and rituals are followed. Wrongfully thinking that we have to give the best to the deceased as if he or she is still alive, no amount of expenses ins spared to appease the dead and the living.

Guidelines suggested by Venerable Suvanno:

1. Invite four Theravada monks to chant prayers for the sick person when he/she is seriously ill and death is near. (This is to allow the sick person to have peaceful and wholesome thoughts. If 4 monks are not available then at least there should be one monk).

2. There shall be no crying and wailing before the person dies and after he/she is dead.

3. Immediately upon the person's death, clean up the body and change the deceased's clothes - a white kebaya and blue sarong for a female and shirt and trousers for a male. No brooches are to be used to pin up the clothes; instead use safety pins. No ornaments, real or imitations, are to be worn by the deceased.

4. The coffin need not be expensive, a moderately priced one will do.

5. The following are NOT necessary:
i. burning of joss papers,
ii. basin or towel for washing the deceased's face in the morning,
iii. rice and chopsticks placed near the coffin,
iv. joss-stick urn and candles placed in front of the coffin,
v. mosquito netting over the coffin,
vi. decorative lighting over and around the coffin.

6. Instead, put the deceased's photograph, a copy of the deceased's instructions (if any) and/or this write-up so that friends and relatives will not object to the Buddhist way of burial.

7. Place the following on top of the coffin
i. a wreath of yellow flowers with words "Deepest condolences to our beloved... (father, mother, etc.)"
ii. four pieces of monk's robes

8. Use pots of ferns and orchids, etc. to line the sides of the coffin.

9. Put a piece of yellow cloth (Gula) at the front door to enable visitors to know the correct house. (This is actually a local Chinese custom and has no religious significance).

10. Contributions in cash ('peh-kim') are to be used for charities.

11. On the first night, invite 4 Theravada monks to chant prayers. Also inform them of the date and time of the funeral and invite them to the cemetery or crematorium for the 'bung koon' ceremony. If so desired, invite the monks back to the house after the funeral service to chant prayers over a basin of water for friends and relatives to wash their faces. However, house-cleansing ceremony ('say cheng') need not be done.

12. The bung koon ceremony - the monks will chant prayers and after that each monk is offered a robe just before the coffin is pushed into the furnace. Also to be offered is a tray of requisites comprising a pillow, a mat, an oil lamp, a small packet of rice, sugar, salt, onions and garlic, and razor blades to be taken back to the temple. (Preferably four monks to be invited but if not available one monk will suffice). After prayers are chanted, transferring of merits to the deceased and all beings is done instead of 'she cheng'. No red packets ('ang pows') to be put on the tray of requisites. The washing of faces with the chanted water is only for those friends and relatives to allay their superstitious fears.

13. On the days of the funeral, when the coffin is placed on the road for the family, relatives and friends to pay their last respects, only fruits and flowers are to be placed on the table. Do not place any food ('seng lay'), chicken, duck or roasted pork on the table as offerings. If funeral starts at 11 a.m., arrange a lunch dana for the monks. If the funeral starts after 12 noon, no lunch dana is required as the monks would have taken their meals earlier.

14. Inside the coffin, joss paper, 'khor chee' and old clothing may be put in for the purpose of absorbing the deceased's body fluid. (Those things put in are for practical reasons and NOT with the mistaken belief that the same will be taken away by the deceased). Prayer beads can also be put in the coffin if not wanted by the family of the deceased.

15. One band playing only solemn music may be used during the funeral procession. The music is merely to indicate to the relatives and friends the various stages of the funeral. (No noisy bands like the Chinese opera type are to be used. Having a band is actually a local Chinese custom which has no religious significance).

16. Relatives and friends are advised NOT to send 'bit chean', 'moh hor chiam', scrolls, banners and musical parties, etc.

17. On those nights before the funeral, the main door can be closed and locked after midnight. (This is for security reasons and also to allow the family to take much needed rest).

18. After cremation the bones and ashes can be placed in a columbarium, left behind with the other remains for the crematorium attendants to dispose of, or strewed into the sea or river.

19. No 'kong teik' (burning of paper houses - 'twa choo', paper cars, etc. and 'crossing' of bridge ceremony) is to be done.

20. No 'khan bong' (speaking to the deceased through a medium) is to be done or practised.

21. Red thread and sweets may be distributed to relatives and friends on the day of the funeral. Handkerchiefs may also be distributed. (This is a local custom to differentiate between the mourners and those who attend the funeral).

22. It is not necessary to perform ritual ceremonies on the 7th day, 49th day, 100th day or the twooi nee' anniversaries. Relatives of the deceased should instead perform dana at a Buddhist temple and the merits of the dana are to be transferred to the deceased and all other relatives who have passed away.

23. All unnecessary spending and rites and rituals should be avoided. The money would be better served to perform dana donations to the Sangha-Yogi fund, Dayaka fund, temples or charitable institutions in memory of the deceased. The merits of such dana or donations are to be transferred to the deceased.

24. It is not necessary to wear mourning dress. If so desired, mourners may wear white clothes. There is no fixed period for mourning. (The wearing of black mourning clothes is a local Chinese custom with no religious significance. Wearing 'boon tar cloth is a Confucian practice).

25. In order that the family be absolved form blame and to prevent any eventual disputes, it is advisable that those who intend to have their funeral conducted in Buddhist way when they die to give verbal instructions or, better still, written instructions to members of their family to that effect.

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Source: Suvanno & Visuddhacara (Eds) (1996), How a Theravadin Buddhist Chinese Funeral May Be Conducted, (Rev edn), Sukhi Hotu, Penang, Malaysia.