Chinese funeral practices can vary widely according to geography and religion, but they all share some commonalities: length, solemn beauty and display of respect for a loved one. Rose Hills is a foremost expert in Chinese funeral traditions. Our funeral planners—many of whom speak Chinese—work closely with families to design each ceremony according to family preferences and the unique life of the loved one being honored.
Our Whittier mortuary and Hua Yuan Ceremonial Complex were specifically designed with the cultural needs of Chinese families in mind. Our state-of-the-art witness crematorium allows families who wish to participate in the cremations of their loved ones to do so.
From the dress code and colors to the length of visitation and religious customs, the characteristics of a Chinese funeral ceremony are significant yet varied. Honoring traditions and heritage is fundamental. Chinese families follow a variety of religious practices, including Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. Families living in the United States may combine native cultural traditions with Christian funeral practices.
We’re here to help you plan a service that incorporates the elements important to your family in the most meaningful way.
Funeral and burial customs
The family plays a key role in shaping a Chinese funeral ceremony, as do monks and priests. Deep reverence for elders is a cornerstone of Asian culture and an important part of a Chinese funeral. Prior to visitation, the family may wash their loved one with warm water. A Taiwanese family may do this three times. Family members then dress their loved one.
Keeping the casket open during a visitation is considered a sign of respect and reverence. It’s common for families to honor their loved one with three full days of visitation prior to the funeral. During that time, they prefer not to move their loved one. Some may choose to stay with their loved one throughout the visitation period, even preparing meals on-site.
A grieving family may burn incense throughout the service. They may also burn joss paper money, houses, cars and more as part of a service. When they return to the gravesite within a few days, mourners often burn incense or paper money to help their loved one along on their journey to the afterlife.
White chrysanthemums symbolize lamentation or grief, and white or yellow mums are often abundant at Chinese funerals. Families typically wear white and refrain from wearing jewelry. Red is not worn in clothing or accessories, as it is considered a color of happiness. Western influences have made black attire more acceptable at Chinese funerals; in some instances, guests who wear black will add a white armband to their outfits.
After the visitation is over, the coffin is sealed. If present, family members may keep their backs turned because they believe that the souls of the people who see a coffin being closed will be trapped in the coffin. Likewise, at the gravesite, family and friends turn their backs on the coffin as it is lowered into the grave.
A feng shui master may choose the day and time for burial; Taiwanese people may hire a geomancer—someone who reads the Earth's energies—to identify the best day to hold the burial. Family members lead a funeral procession to the cemetery, often carrying incense and portraits of their loved one.
The Buddhist funeral
A Buddhist viewing takes place for only one night, generally the evening before the funeral. It typically includes candlelight and incense. During visitation, the family sits at the front of the room, greeting those who have come to show support.
Adhering to Buddhist tradition, the funeral service is held the day after the viewing and is conducted by a monk. There is almost always an open casket to allow attendees to say goodbye. Guests are expected to bow slightly toward their loved one as a sign of appreciation for lessons regarding the impermanence of life. There may be a meditation period, a traditional Buddhist custom, during the ceremony to reflect on the person's life and honor their memory. It’s common for Buddhist memorials to include an altar with a portrait of the deceased; friends and family will lay offerings of candles, incense, flowers and fruit there.
After the funeral ceremony, the casket is taken to a cemetery, often on a hillside for positive feng shui.
Depending on their beliefs and preferences, Buddhists may choose cremation. In Hong Kong, cremation is encouraged. It is customary for some families to witness the cremation. The Witness Crematorium at Rose Hills accommodates this tradition.
Rose Hills’ Buddhist Columbarium
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Columbarium at Rose Hills is the largest Buddhist pagoda in the United States. Built in 1999, the three-story structure is supported by crimson pillars and golden glazed tiles, replicating the architecture of ancient Chinese palaces. The columbarium offers beautiful views of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a bird’s-eye view of Sycamore Valley and SkyRose Chapel.
Hua Yuan Center
The Hua Yuan Center opened in 2019 and was designed with the cultural needs of Asian families in mind—though families of all cultural backgrounds are welcome to use the space. The state-of-the-art building includes two modern chapels, each with its own catering kitchen, dining room, ceremonial burner and courtyard. At the heart of Hua Yuan is an elegant reception area that showcases the elements of water, sun and air.
Learn moreChinese funeral etiquette
If you’re attending a Chinese funeral for the first time, you may be unsure of what’s customary. Traditions can vary depending on the family’s background, but here are a few thoughtful guidelines to help you show support in a culturally sensitive way.
Wear something simple
Mourning attire is traditionally simple and understated. Immediate family members—parents, children, spouses, siblings, grandchildren—typically wear white, the traditional color of grief in Chinese culture. Other guests often wear black, navy or other dark colors.
Avoid bright colors and patterns, especially red, which is considered a symbol of joy and is not appropriate at most funerals. There is one notable exception: When the person who has passed lived a long life (often defined as over 80 years), guests may be invited to wear touches of red or pink as a gesture of celebration for a life well-lived.
Offer quiet comfort
Chinese funerals are usually marked by respect and reverence. Guests should speak softly to the family and share in the solemn atmosphere. While heartfelt expressions of comfort are appropriate, it’s generally not the time for humorous stories or loud conversation.
Give a condolence gift
One of the more traditional ways to show sympathy is to present a white envelope containing condolence money, or bai jin, to the family. The amount given is often $101 or another odd number. The Chinese believe even numbers are associated with joy and good fortune, while odd numbers are used to acknowledge sorrow and to avoid repeating a loss.
You may also consider:
- Sending flowers to the funeral or the family’s home. White lilies, yellow chrysanthemums and white roses are respectful choices.
- Bringing offerings such as fruit, incense, candles or symbolic joss paper items.
- Making a donation to a cause that was meaningful to the person being honored.
These gestures, no matter how large or small, are a way of showing care, preserving tradition and honoring the memory of a cherished loved one.
Planning a Chinese funeral at Rose Hills
If you want to plan a funeral that honors your family’s Chinese culture and customs, and the wishes of your loved one, Rose Hills can help. Our planning professionals speak a broad range of languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese and Shanghainese, and they are well-versed in the cultural traditions of Asian families.
Whether you’re creating a traditional tribute, would like to set up an extended visitation or want to purchase cemetery property with positive feng shui, we will work with you to incorporate small or large details that honor your heritage. Use the form below to download our funeral planning guide or contact an advisor today.
Qingming Festival: honoring ancestors and celebrating spring
Qingming (清明节), or Ching Ming, is an annual tradition is observed by Chinese families around the world. It is sometimes called Tomb-Sweeping Day or the Pure Brightness Festival—a poetic reference to both the clear spring weather and the clarity of remembrance. The festival is an occasion to honor ancestors, reflect on family heritage and embrace the season of renewal.
Qingming always falls in early April, typically on the 4th, 5th or 6th, marking the 15th day after the spring equinox. Its roots date back more than 2,500 years, with origins tied to the Cold Food Festival, when people avoided lighting fires and instead prepared cold meals in remembrance of a loyal servant named Jie Zitui. Over time, it evolved into the springtime observance known today, formalized during the Tang dynasty as a national day to honor ancestors.
Tomb-sweeping traditions
A modern Qingming observance often begins with a trip to the cemetery. Families clean the gravesites of loved ones, pulling weeds, sweeping debris and making minor repairs. They may place fresh flowers, especially chrysanthemums, as well as willow branches, which are believed to ward off negative spirits. Offerings of food, tea, fruit and incense are also placed at the gravesite, and joss paper—representing money, homes, clothes or other worldly comforts—is burned to support ancestors in the afterlife.
Some families light firecrackers to scare away evil spirits or signal their presence to their ancestors. Others may bring traditional Qingming foods such as sweet green rice balls, cold noodles or peach blossom porridge—dishes typically prepared in advance in keeping with the holiday’s “cold food” roots.
A celebration of life
Qingming is more than a time of mourning—it’s also a day of family connection and seasonal joy. The festival often becomes a springtime outing when families picnic, fly kites or plant trees and flowers. These traditions help connect the past with the present, blending reverence with celebration in a way that beautifully reflects the cycle of life.
At Rose Hills, many families gather during Qingming to honor their loved ones and celebrate traditions passed down through generations. Whether you're making your first visit or returning for another year, our team is here to support you with preparations, event coordination and a welcoming place for reflection.
Get your free planning guide
Particular passions, milestone moments and legacies created weave together to tell a story that is completely unique. The Insider’s Guide to Funeral & Cremation Planning will walk you through inspirational ideas and the simple steps to planning an unforgettable memorial of a loved one’s life—or your own when you plan in advance. Download your FREE planning guide today.