Dam Gio, or the Great Memory, is a traditional Vietnamese death anniversary that is celebrated once a year to honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away. Death is an unavoidable part of life, and Vietnamese culture has its own customs, beliefs, and superstitions when it comes to death and funerals. Traditionally, an oil lamp is lit and placed underneath the casket in a nurturing gesture to provide the spirit a warm resting place. For the convenience of work and for daily life, nowadays mourning clothes are only worn until the burial is completed, after that, a black bandage on the sleeve or a small black piece on the chest is acceptable. Home Cruises Special Tours Honeymoon Tours This is seen as an important part of honoring the deceased and showing respect for their memory. Many take place in a funeral home, not a temple. The father may see the child only after the baby has been cleaned and dressed. Some families wear headbands to distinguish their relationship with the deceased. If you attend a Dam Gio celebration, expect to see any of the following dishes: When introduced to a new culture, respecting traditions is essential to show honor to your host. The ceremony is held at the house of the eldest member of the family, who is in charge of arranging the necessary elements of the ceremony. Mournful tunes start once again to mark the deceaseds final moments with family at home. The Dam Gio celebration is one tradition that has become an integral part of Vietnamese culture, and therefore, should be appreciated and respected. Keen to explore the world? Then, nails are clipped, and the body is dressed in new clothes. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. This is an important tradition in Vietnam that can be traced back many centuries. Death is seen as a natural part of life that should be honored with respect and tradition, The traditional German funeral is steeped in age-old customs and beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation. Catholics believe in both cremation and burial, though the Catholic church previously did not encourage their community to be cremated (this has since been changed). Chuan Quang Minh Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, www.quangminh.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=620:a-vietnamese-buddhist-funeral. The deceased is washed once more and dressed in white clothing, then placed in the casket. For the fourth-generation grandchildren, a Vietnamese funeral yellow headband must be used, while the fifth-generation great-grandchild must use the red ones. Many people celebrate the death anniversary of their ancestors because they believe that their spirits continue to wander in this world, should be taken care of, and also invited to visit. In this chapter we shall describe the way in which some Vietnamese people cope with death and dying. For example, Vietnamese Buddhists pray for the deceased for 49 days. Now that youre familiar with some of the traditions youll encounter at a Vietnamese funeral, its helpful to know how to behave. Variations within the Vietnamese culture occur between regions, religious . Confucianism was introduced in Vietnam during the Chinese conquest. The mourning period is determined by the family's religious practices. Family members usually have to wear Vietnamese funeral white headbands, but the style will vary slightly between biological children, in-laws, siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In Vietnam as elsewhere, these ceremonies are predictable events in the steady unfolding of a life, as inevitable as the change of seasons. Vietnamese Because of exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, older Vietnamese immigrants are potentially at risk for cancers, immune deficiency, endocrine disruption, and neurological damage. Because the celebration is so closely tied to honoring and respecting elders, while at a Dam Gio celebration, its essential to give preference in food, seating, and conversation to anyone older than you. According to the locals belief, the soul may get lost without this trace. The deceased will be buried or cremated based on the family's wishes and religious preferences. Visitations include an open casket and may last several days. Living things like rivers, rocks, trees, and mountains all have a spirit. Vietnam is full of death traditions, with the most important is ancestor worship. Download your FREE planning guide today. Their altars tend to include red cloth, flowers, candles, incense, photos, religious icons, and incense. Wearing a mourning headband is not only to show affection and respect, but it is also used to distinguish the relationship between the deceased and the wearers, who may not be very familiar. The traditional diet is mostly rice, fish, and vegetables, plus pork or chicken when available. Therefore, Vietnamese funeral clothes are also focused on, appropriately selected to show respect and remembrance for the deceased, and at the same time clearly distinguish roles and relationships between family members. Meanwhile, the grandson of the deceased wears a hat and white robe; son-in-law and brothers wear white long shirts, and sisters use twisted white fabric to tie her hair. If you have been invited to a Dam Gio, its customary to arrive with a death anniversary gift. You should wear black like the other funeral attendees. Kelley, Liam c. Confucianism in Vietnam: A State of the Field Essay. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, Vol. There is a mass on the 7th, 49th, and 100th day after death. The family will choose a lucky day for their loved ones funeral, so prepare to have a flexible schedule when planning to attend. While setting up the altar, a family member will take care of hiring a music band to play at the funeral. 1, 6, Regents of the University of California, 2006. online.ucpress.edu/jvs/article-pdf/1/1-2/314/339470/vs_2006_1_1-2_314.pdf. | Terms | Privacy Policy. As other superstitions in Vietnamese funerals, this is not suitable for a civilized lifestyle, is economically costly, affects environmental sanitation, and spreads diseases. While Buddhist funeral customs vary from country to country, Buddhists often choose cremation. Though there are no hard and fast rules around funeral customs, there are certain Vietnamese funeral traditions that are usually observed. Atop a hill, the columbarium has views of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a birds-eye view of Sycamore Valley and SkyRose Chapel. In fact, incense burning is a prominent part of Vietnamese funerals. Keen to explore the world? Twitter. Most Vietnamese Buddhists Belong to the Mahayana school. Because the celebration is so closely tied to honoring and respecting elders, while at a Dam Gio celebration, it's essential to give preference in food, seating, and conversation to anyone older than you. AsianCustoms.eu, All Rights Reserved. Although you are not expected to wear formal attire to attend a Dam Gio, go for simpler clothes that are casual but look nice. The burial is another time for the family to grieve and say their last goodbye. While waiting for the update, the family proceeds to set up an altar for the dead. For information about opting out, click here. As a unique part of culture and one of the oldest customs of the country, Vietnamese funerals include many strict procedures, rites and regulations, in terms of costumes, music, food, etc. Meanwhile, the music band changes to another tune to commemorate the pass-away. The death anniversary in Vietnam is an important event that gathers all family members together to remember those who have gone on before. Instagram. Puerto Rican funeral traditions and customs are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs of the island. This link will open in a new window. The funeral, held at home, usually includes a large tent set up in front of the building for guests to visit. If you are wondering why this is such an important event, its important to consider the impact of Confucianism in Vietnam. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Catholicism is another popular religion among Vietnamese families, and as such, the funeral for the deceased may follow common Catholic traditions. The Musical Ceremonies carry profound meaning in a funeral in Vietnam, helping the family express their boundless love and compassion while sending off the deceased to eternity in peace. Each family member places a food offering on the altar. In addition, the yellow color of chrysanthemums, gerberas, is also used to mean wishing the best to the spirits, so they can go to the afterlife safely and peacefully. First, its important to see that ancestor worship is common, even encouraged, for Vietnam Catholics. Contrary to what some might believe, this is not perceived as a sorrowful occasion. A Vietnamese funeral begins with a wake and follows specific traditions and rites. The relatives would ask for the afterlife name and last wishes, which are called testaments, then use five-spice water (ngu vi huong) to clean thebodyand change clothes. Our state-of-the-art witness crematorium allows families who wish to participate in the cremation of their loved ones to do so. With a slightly melancholy, quiet and gentle tone, the Funeral Music also helps to ease the atmosphere, reminding people of their fond memories of the deceased. As mentioned before, death anniversaries bring generations of family members together in ancestor worship. There are many cultures with specific rituals and celebrations devoted to ancestral worship. From the colors of dress to the length of visitation, the characteristics of a Vietnamese funeral ceremony are significant yet varied. Other family members recite prayers and light incense at the start of each day. Vietnam is an atheist state, so you might expect a human-centered secular funeral, but thats not always the case. If you choose flowers make sure to avoid reda color reserved for happy occasions, not funerals. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online Buddhist Death Rituals and End of Life Traditions, Buddhists believe that a person goes through a process called samsara, or reincarnation at death. This link will open in a new window. Instagram. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. One of the greatest fears in Vietnam is that the dead won't find peace in the afterlife - that they'll be left to wander as tortured spirits. The casket is set inside a funeral car or hearse. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. We're not kidding. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. Accept, Many people celebrate the death anniversary of their ancestors because they believe that their spirits continue to wander in this world, should be taken care of, and also invited to visit. Typically, the family plays a key role in shaping a ceremony, as do monks or priests. In general, discussion, avoid joking, negatively criticizing or discussing sensitive issues that involve the family, and being indifferent to the family's grief. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. (For example, red is considered a color for happier and joyful occasions, so sending red flowers wouldn't be a good idea.) The purpose of Dam Gio is to provide offerings to passed loved ones, so they are comfortable wherever they are. As with all Asian funerals, honoring tradition, customs and heritage is fundamental to Vietnamese ceremonies. Heres some more useful information before you attend. In modern times, thanks to the education of the government, this custom has disappeared, but its horror remains forever in the hearts of people living in that period. Please try again later. As day eases into night, the family will prepare a hearty dinner for the deceaseds altar. From the colors of dress to the length of visitation, the characteristics of a Vietnamese funeral ceremony are significant yet varied. This belief dictates death planning for the Vietnamese. . EN. Built in 1999, the three-story Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Columbarium is the largest Buddhist pagoda in the United States. Tip: If you plan on hosting a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs, discuss with your funeral planner or director on how you can adapt these customs for a live stream and encourage online guest participation. The photo, incense bowl and altar tray are brought back and placed on the altar, which must always be incense and smoke during the mourning period. The casket is placed in the main living area. Join our feeds to automatically receive the latest headlines, news, and information formatted for your club's website or news reader. During this time, families will gather together to offer prayers and offerings to the deceased. Why do Vietnamese people eat vegetarian at a funeral? Families share stories, food, and offerings at the altar. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. When back from the procession, the family will invite guests to lunch or dinner to show gratitude. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Find caskets, urns and more at a fraction of funeral home prices. It even has its own name. Prayers are offered, and the casket is lowered into the prepared gravesite. Also, the gloomy sound reminds the family of the passing of their loved one. Rose Hills is a foremost expert in Vietnamese funeral traditions. The usual dcor is a banana bunch, a pomelo, seasonal fruits, and a picture frame of the deceased. In Vietnam, there are also many traditional superstitions about death. It's important to be aware of the traditional superstitions surrounding death, however, so keep in mind cultural differences when selecting your flower. Altar Layout: Buddhist funerals feature an altar with photos or statues of Buddha and offerings, as well as photos and objects that honor the person who has died. You should first find out the school of Buddhism the family belongs to if they are Buddhists. Other terms and conditions apply. First, the body is cleaned using a towel with water infused with fragrant leaves and rice wine. Depending on the familys wishes you may see some of these practices or all of them. As a nurse, Hoang "searched all over town for some morphine to relieve his pain [while] Grandchildren showed him how well they did in school.". Offers apply to new and qualifying cemetery contracts only. The average altar is a wooden cabinet that holds flowers and food. Hoang, Dieu-Hien. Create a free website to honor your loved one. If youre a close family member youll wear a white robe or hat. On Dam Gio, families often gather to share stories and memories of their lost loved ones, exchange gifts, and light incense in their honor. Vietnamese bishops issue guidelines on ancestor veneration., www.ucanews.org/news/vietnamese-bishops-issue-guidelines-on-ancestor-worship/86469, Nguyen, Peter. When a Vietnamese person dies, his or her family will mourn for several days, inviting friends and family as well as a religious leader to say goodbye. Ethnic people believe that when the children are not breastfed, they will eventually die, so do-tom-ami will help bring the child back to the mother, receiving better care. This article will explore the Amish f. You're voting too often. Close relatives are invited for the two days of celebration, and they stay at the house of the host to help with preparations for the last day, which is most important. In the early morning, the music band starts playing and cues the funeral to begin. Odd numbers are considered lucky by the Vietnamese, and when lighting incense, guests should choose three or five sticks, with three being the ideal. The length of a Vietnamese funeral can vary. All rights reserved. Some families also include a large red or vibrantly colored banner that hangs down as the background of the altar. Instead, this is a festive day during which family members and friends gather to honor their family members who have passed away. Once this ritual is done, everyone begins to eat and socialize, talking about their ancestors and eventually moving on to conversations about their lives and current events. Create a free Cake end-of-life planning profile and instantly share your health, legal, funeral, and legacy decisions with a loved one. Mung beans are especially popular to use in funeral dishes across Vietnam. Rose Hills associates speak many languages, including English and Vietnamese, and are well-versed in Vietnamese cultural traditions. In the Vietnamese culture, remembering the death of a loved one and conducting a death ceremony is a filial act. The eldest son leads the procession, carrying a framed photo of the deceased. English Deutsch Franais Espaol Portugus Italiano Romn Nederlands Latina Dansk Svenska Norsk Magyar Bahasa Indonesia Trke Suomi Latvian Lithuanian esk . While awaiting the delivery of the casket, the deceased is placed on their bed. . Later, the family sends photographic mementos to family and friends that couldn't attend. In Vietnam, this is a tradition known as Dam Gio. Some believe that those who fail to show proper respect to their parents and ancestors could receive bad luck and misfortune during their lives. The average altar is a wooden cabinet that holds flowers and food. Close family members wear white or yellow headbands to signal their close ties to the deceased. Other gifts include money to defray funeral costs, food, and decorative packages of incense. An unlucky day means bad fortune for the family. Family members coordinate and decide who is in charge of each task during the two-day celebration and ritual of Dam Gio. Do you still have questions about attending a Vietnamese funeral? Next to Vietnamese funerals, Dam Gio offers an opportunity for family members to reunite and celebrate, with many of them traveling far distances to their hometowns for the occasion. It is considered bad luck for menstruating women to light incense. Instead, youll most likely hear monks chanting throughout the funeral. Get started by downloading our funeral planning guide or contact an advisor today. Vietnamese Author Dieu-Hien T. Hoang describes her uncle's death, recalling how each family member "used their talent to "serve" [her] uncle [on his deathbed].". This link will open in a new window. Ancestors that aren't properly worshiped turn into malevolent ghosts that haunt family members. Thus, individuals or groups often show up with packs of incense sticks and sympathy money. Funerals are a time for close and extended family and friends to come together to assist their loved one into the afterlife. Then, nails are clipped, and the body is dressed in new clothes. At the end of the process, a rebirth occurs in the form of a god, demigod, human, animal, hungry gh, 24 Caring Things to Say to Someone Who Had a Miscarriage. The Dignity Memorial network includes affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas, as well as many other fine independently owned and operated establishments. Family and friends take turns keeping vigil over the body throughout the night. Pinterest. 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