Traditional Chinese Funeral Customs: Honoring Life with Ritual and Reverence

At Memorialine, we believe in honoring loved ones with respect for culture, tradition, and dignity. Chinese funeral customs are deeply rooted in values of filial piety and spiritual transition, passed down over centuries.

🕊️ The Sacred "Send-Off" Ritual (送终)

In many parts of China, when an elder nears death, their children and close relatives stay close to offer final support—this is called sòngzhōng, or the “send-off.” It's more than just a farewell; it's a final act of familial devotion. Elders are often moved from their bedroom to a wooden platform in the courtyard to avoid spiritual attachment to the home.

Dying at home in this way is seen as a blessing, while passing in a hospital bed may bring criticism regarding the family's dedication.

🔥 Mourning Rituals: Joss Paper & Farewell Firecrackers

• Joss paper (spirit money) is burned to ensure wealth in the afterlife.
• Firecrackers are used both to announce the death and notify neighbors of the funeral.
• Family members cry aloud around the body—a key cultural expression of loss. However, crying before death is discouraged.

⚰️ Burial & Cremation Customs

In rural regions, full-body burials are traditional. In urban areas, the process usually includes:

1. Wake ceremonies in a funeral home
2. Ritual cleansing or preparation
3. Cremation, with ashes placed in a columbarium
4. Land registry coordination for burial or storage plots

🇨🇳 National Day of Mourning

China observes its National Memorial Day on September 30, commemorating fallen heroes and reinforcing the cultural value of remembrance and respect.

🌿 Preserve Their Memory with Memorialine

Memorialine supports all cultures in honoring the departed. Whether through curated memorial gift sets or personalized tribute pages, we’re here to help you celebrate a meaningful life.

🕯️ Explore our memorial sets →