Chinese cultural dimensions of death, dying, and bereavement: focus group findings

Rituals Related to Death and Dying

According to focus group participants, there are specific rituals that are conducted during the funeral, prior to burial, and post-burial. However, all cautioned that there is a wide variation in the extent to which these rituals are practiced. Some continue to adhere to very traditional practices, while some perform some, and others not all. Level of acculturation, religion orientation, and place of birth impact the degree to which these traditional rituals are performed.

Table 3 provides a summary of the key findings about Chinese Americans' and immigrants' rituals and practices regarding death and bereavement and the meanings associated with the practices.

Focus group participants reported that Chinese funerals and pre-burial and post-burial practices consist of elements of Buddhist, Taoist, and Chinese superstition and folklore. Most Chinese funerals consist of an open casket, and wreaths of flowers contributed by family members and friends adorn the funeral hall. These wreaths consist of ribbons with short writings commemorating the deceased and the names of the contributors. The more wreaths present, the more prestige and status are associated with the deceased and the family. In addition, the wreaths are placed by the coffin in accordance to the relationship of the contributor and to the deceased. Therefore, the wreaths of close family members of the deceased are placed closer in proximity to the coffin than those who are more distant. During the funeral, incense burns, and close family members will burn paper money and other papers to symbolize material possessions. The burning of paper money and material possessions ensures that the deceased is taken care of in the next world. One focus group participant reported:

   "We had to burn a car. We had to burn a driver. We had to burn all this
   money. We had to burn a house. It is like there is another world down there
   ... The more we burned, the more rich my grandmother would be there." (EL
   from Pastors Focus Group)

Meanwhile family members are required to wear specific mourning apparel. Close male family members wear a black band on their sleeves, and female family members wear a colored flower made of yard in their hair. Daughters and wives of the deceased wear white, which symbolizes death. More distant family members will wear blue or green flowers. During the funeral, family and friends will pay respects to the deceased and comfort the close family members. When the guests finish paying respects, they are given a small gift--a piece of candy and a coin wrapped in white paper. The coin is to be spent on something sweet, and that the candy be eaten immediately in order to cast away any bad luck.

Prior to closing the casket, layers of blanket or cloth are placed upon the deceased to ensure that the deceased will be adequately warm when he/she arrives in the next world. The funeral procession is also elaborate. The coffin is placed in the first limousine, along with the wreaths. The procession usually circles around the neighborhood of the mortuary and then proceeds to the gravesite. Prior to arriving at the cemetery, the procession will travel to the deceased home. The driver of the hearse will pass around the home and proceed to the front door and unlock the door. The Chinese perform this ritual for two reasons: First, if any evil spirits have remained in the home of the deceased, it offers them an opportunity to leave. Second, it is important for the spirit of the deceased to know how to find his/her way back home. After the burial, there is a large dinner banquet. Often, it is held in a Chinese restaurant, and many Chinese restaurants offer a "funeral dinner menu," which is vegetarian. Many Chinese families will continue to commemorate the deceased by placing a plaque or picture of the deceased in a family member's home (i.e., a spouse or the first son), with incense burning. On the anniversary of the deceased--"Ching Ming Festival"--family members visit the deceased at the cemetery. The gravesite is cleaned, and food is placed there. Some families will burn incense and paper money. This ritual serves as a remembrance for the deceased and a way for family members to ensure that the deceased does not go hungry and is well cared for. If not performed, they are concerned that the hungry spirits will bring misfortune and bad luck to the family. One Chinese pastor stated: