Your One-Stop Guide To Taoist Funeral Traditions, Customs & Rituals
1. Introduction
What is a Taoist Funeral?
A Taoist funeral is a ceremony rooted in Taoist beliefs, honouring the deceased and guiding their spirit to the afterlife. Traditions may vary by region and family but the most Taoist funerals feature rituals like chanting, prayer ceremonies, burning joss paper, and using symbolic funeral attire, reflecting Taoism's principles of balance and harmony.
The Historical Roots of Taoist Funeral Practices
The origins of Taoist funeral customs trace back to ancient Chinese traditions and the teachings of Taoism, founded by Laozi around the 6th century BCE. Taoism emphasises harmony with nature, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the cyclical flow of life and death.
Early Taoist practices integrated local beliefs, ancestor worship, and elements from Confucian and Buddhist traditions, evolving into unique funeral rites. These customs aim to honour the deceased, maintain harmony between the living and the spirit world, and guide the soul through the afterlife.
Over time, regional variations emerged, but the essence of Taoist funerals remains rooted in these ancient principles.
2. Exploring Taoist Beliefs and Philosophies
Core Taoist Teachings
The Balance of Yin and Yang
Central to Taoist philosophy is the concept of Yin and Yang, the dual forces that shape all aspects of existence. Yin represents darkness, passivity, and femininity, while Yang signifies light, activity, and masculinity.
Rather than being opposing forces, they work together in harmony, demonstrating that balance is achieved through their interdependence.
In the context of death, this balance takes on profound importance. The passing of a loved one disrupts the equilibrium, as their physical presence departs from the world of the living.
Taoist funeral rites are designed to restore harmony by guiding the deceased’s spirit into the afterlife and safeguarding the well-being of those left behind. These rituals ensure a seamless transition while addressing the spiritual imbalance caused by loss.
Perspectives on the Afterlife and Rebirth
In Taoist afterlife beliefs, life is viewed as a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, with each phase providing opportunities for growth and transformation. After death, the soul is thought to enter an intermediate state before beginning its journey toward reincarnation or spiritual enlightenment.
Taoist funeral rituals are carefully designed to guide and support the soul through this transition, aiming to secure a favourable rebirth or a higher spiritual state.
This perspective on reincarnation and the soul’s continuity offers comfort to the living. While the loss of a loved one is deeply painful, recognising that they have embarked on a new journey can ease some of the sorrow.
These rituals not only honour the deceased but also provide emotional solace to those grieving, fostering healing and hope.
Understanding Variations in Taoist Funeral Practices
If you’ve attended multiple Taoist funerals, you may have noticed significant differences in their setup, prayer rituals, deities, and funeral processions. These variations often stem from the diverse Chinese dialect groups, such as Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Hainanese, and Cantonese.
Even within the same dialect group, funeral practices can differ due to factors such as the specific Taoist deities worshipped by the family, modern adaptations to suit younger generations, the unique practices of individual Taoist temples, and the family’s personal preferences—ranging from simple ceremonies to more elaborate ones.
These regional and cultural nuances highlight the rich diversity within Taoist funeral practices, shaped by centuries of tradition and adaptation.
3. Key Traditions and Rituals in Taoist Funerals
Preparation and Initial Arrangements
Family Leadership in Decision-Making
In many Taoist funeral traditions, the head of the family, typically the eldest son, is the one who makes key decisions regarding the funeral. During the ceremony, the Taoist priest leads the family and relatives in a ritual procession, with the head of the family also carrying the photo of the deceased.
Traditionally, in Chinese culture, there was a preference for sons over daughters, a practice rooted in the concept of 男尊女卑.
In modern society, where gender equality is increasingly recognised, families with only daughters may choose the eldest daughter to take on this responsibility.
Covering Sacred Deities at Home
In Taoist traditions, when someone passes away, the family is expected to cover the statues of deities in the home with a red cloth.
This is done to shield the deities from witnessing 'death.' Additionally, a red cloth or banner is hung at the entrance of the house to symbolise the passing of the family member.
Rituals and Practices
Preparing the Deceased for the Funeral
A Taoist funeral typically includes bathing and dressing the deceased in special clothing. Once prepared, the body is placed in a casket, and items representing good fortune or personal significance may be added beside it.
Encoffin
In Taoist funerals, the encoffining ritual is a significant part of preparing the deceased for their journey into the afterlife. During this ritual, the body is carefully placed into the coffin, often after a final set of prayers and blessings conducted by family members with the help of a Taoist priest.
The deceased is typically dressed in special ceremonial attire, such as longevity clothing, which represents a peaceful transition. It is also customary to include items like offerings, symbolic paper money, and sometimes food or personal belongings inside the coffin.
This ritual demonstrates respect and reverence for the deceased, ensuring they are properly prepared for their spiritual journey.
Funeral Clothing: Longevity Garments (寿衣)
Longevity attire is worn by the deceased who are over sixty years old, have no unmarried children, and have grandchildren. These garments come in various designs and colours. Contact us to explore our range of options. Key features of longevity attire include:
Loose Fit: The attire must be loose with large openings, as tight clothing is believed to bring misfortune to descendants' wealth.
Covered Arms: The arms should be fully covered to avoid bringing poverty to the family.
No Pockets: Pockets are avoided to prevent the deceased from taking away good luck.
Odd Numbers: The attire is usually made in odd numbers, as odd numbers are seen as inauspicious.
Funeral Blanket (天地被)
The Taoist Funeral Blanket (天地被) is believed to offer warmth and comfort to the deceased during the time they remain in their temporary resting place, the coffin.
The Symbolism of Big-Headed Dolls (大头娃娃)
"Gong Guan" performances, often held on the final day of a Taoist funeral wake, involve the striking of cymbals and drums. Additionally, large-headed dolls can be hired for the performance.
Traditionally, these dolls featured happy faces (笑童), but today, crying-faced dolls (哭童) have become increasingly popular. The loud and lively performance is designed to give the deceased a grand and respectful farewell.
Setting Up the Funeral Altar
In Taoist funerals, one of the key rituals is preparing the altar and offerings to honour the deceased and help guide their spirit to the afterlife.
The altar is typically set up at the home or funeral venue, with offerings such as incense, fruits, paper money, and symbolic items placed before it.
These offerings are a way of showing respect and are believed to assist the deceased in their journey.
The family places them in front of Taoist deities or ancestral tablets, seeking blessings for peace and a smooth transition to the afterlife.
Prayer Rites and Ceremonies
Taoist funerals involve various rituals to guide the deceased’s spirit to the afterlife. Senior Taoist priests lead chanting and prayers, often in the deceased’s dialect, throughout the wake.
Some families may invite priests to perform specific rituals at different points, including the "Breaking the Hell’s Gate" fire ritual, common in Cantonese traditions, which symbolises the priest breaking down hell’s gates to help the deceased's soul enter reincarnation.
On the final night, a prayer ceremony is held to ensure the soul’s smooth journey. Taoists believe the soul is judged by 'court officials' over a 49-day period based on their deeds in life.
Family members participate in a ritual march led by the priest, during which they may throw paper money as an offering to 'bribe' the officials for a good afterlife. In some traditions, such as Teochew, the ceremony also includes crossing a symbolic bridge.
Family and friends pay their respects, offer prayers, and bid farewell to the deceased during the service. The Summoning of the Soul ritual is also performed, where the priest calls the soul to ensure it moves peacefully into the afterlife.
Traditional music and prayers throughout the service help seek forgiveness and guide the soul on its journey.the deceased’s name to help guide the spirit, ensuring it does not become lost or restless on its journey to the afterlife.
Burning Paper Offerings
During a Taoist or Buddhist funeral, joss paper, including hell money, paper houses, cars, electronic devices, and even paper maids, is burned as offerings for the deceased.
This ritual is based on the belief that the deceased will need similar comforts in the afterlife. Burning these items provides financial support and essential possessions for the soul's journey.
Joss paper, or hell money, symbolises financial resources, while other paper items represent necessary comforts.
These handmade products are unique, and during busy periods like the seventh lunar month, the lead time for crafting them can be longer.
4. The Funeral Process
The Funeral Procession
The final journey in a Taoist funeral, often referred to as the "Last Journey," marks the procession to the cremation or burial site. The casket leads the procession, followed by family members walking closest to it, with Taoist priests guiding rituals through chants and prayers.
Traditional music, often somber and resonant, is played to honour the deceased, comfort the living, and ward off unwanted spirits. In some cases, loud music, dances, or elaborate ceremonies accompany the send-off.
The timing of the procession—morning or afternoon—is often guided by the advice of the Taoist priest. Some families may prefer a longer walk behind the hearse, believing it helps the deceased find their way home on the 7th day (头七).
After the procession, attendees may cleanse themselves with pomegranate flower water as a ritual for purification. Ultimately, the ceremony reflects deep respect for the departed, encapsulating Taoist beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife.
5. Post-Funeral Traditions
Mourning Period Guidelines
After a Taoist funeral, families observe a 49-day mourning period, during which the deceased's soul is believed to transition to the afterlife. Known as “An Ling” (安灵) and “Ji Ling” (寄灵), this period involves rituals such as burning incense and offering prayers, particularly on every seventh day.
These practices allow families to express their grief while guiding the spirit’s peaceful journey into its next life.
Family Rituals After the Funeral
Families conduct daily prayers, light incense, and make offerings to guide the departed’s soul to the afterlife.
Commemorations and Annual Memorials
Families gather during occasions like Tomb-Sweeping Day (清明节) and the Hungry Ghost Festival to honour the departed through prayers and offerings. These rituals offer solace to the living and ensure the spirit’s peace.
6. Burial and Cremation Practices: Honouring the Spirit
In Taoist traditions, both burial and cremation are meaningful practices. Burials link the deceased to the earth, while cremation is viewed as a quicker release of the soul.
The choice between the two often depends on personal beliefs, preferences, and the advice of Taoist priests.
7. Etiquette for Attending Taoist Funerals
Dos and Don’ts at a Taoist Funeral
Appropriate Dress Code
Attendees are expected to wear sober colours, such as white or black. Bright colours should be avoided, as muted tones better reflect the solemnity of the occasion.
Respecting Belief Systems
As not all attendees may know Taoist funeral customs, providing guidance ensures respectful participation and maintains the solemnity of the occasion.
Offering Condolence Money (白金)
This offering helps cover funeral costs and provide support. The amount varies based on the relationship to the deceased and local customs. Understanding this custom is important for both givers and receivers.
8. Organising a Taoist Funeral in Singapore
Steps for Planning a Taoist Funeral
Supporting the Bereaved and Managing Grief
Grief is a personal experience, with emotions ranging from sadness to anger. Providing a compassionate, non-judgmental environment allows everyone to express their feelings, fostering mutual respect and emotional healing during this difficult time.
Honouring Individual Preferences
Encourage open conversations and respect each family member's wishes regarding post-death arrangements, including the funeral, cremation, burial, and distribution of belongings.
Some may have specific requests, like a unique reading or symbolic gesture during the wake, to honour the deceased in a personal way.
Seeking Professional Guidance if Necessary
Grief can be overwhelming, and family members may need professional support to cope. Some funeral homes offer post-funeral counselling, providing access to therapy that can help navigate grief and the complex emotions following a loved one's death.
Understanding Costs and Budgeting
Review the specifics of a funeral package carefully and request an itemised list to avoid unexpected charges. Taoist funerals are generally more expensive than Buddhist ones, costing around $8,000 in Singapore, with some dialect groups like Hakka costing more due to complex rites.
You can request a simpler, more affordable ceremony. When choosing a package, discuss alternatives with the funeral director if needed and decline upsells for unnecessary items. Take your time to ensure the package suits your needs and the company is professional.
Choosing the Right Funeral Service Provider
Expertise in Taoist Funerals
Choose a funeral director experienced in Taoist funerals, familiar with rituals like burning joss paper and guiding the deceased to the afterlife. Their knowledge of Taoist beliefs and Feng Shui will ensure a respectful and authentic ceremony.
Range of Services Available
Ensure the funeral director offers all required services, including embalming, cremation, burial, and Taoist rituals. Confirm they can meet your needs while adhering to Taoist customs and rites performed by a qualified priest.
Pricing Transparency
When planning a Taoist funeral, compare costs and ask for a detailed breakdown of services and fees. A reputable director will ensure transparency, helping you stay within budget.
Accessibility and Location
The funeral wake venue is an important consideration, especially in relation to your family’s home and place of worship.
Taoist wakes are often held at the deceased's apartment void deck, though some families may choose a more convenient location near their own home.
Professional Standards
The professionalism of the funeral director and staff is essential for a smooth, respectful process. They should show empathy, communicate clearly, and guide you through each step, ensuring the ceremony honors Taoist traditions with dignity.
9. Special Considerations for Taoist Funerals
Feng Shui Principles
If you’re pre-planning a Taoist funeral and believe in Feng Shui, you can consult your Feng Shui master to ensure the plaque's placement is auspicious.
They will assess factors like time, date, location, and orientation to support the deceased’s spiritual journey and the family’s well-being.
Conclusion
Taoist funerals embody deep tradition and spirituality, honouring the deceased while offering solace to the living. Each ritual reflects Taoism's principles of balance, harmony, and respect for life’s cycle.
By understanding these customs and choosing a knowledgeable funeral service provider, families can ensure a meaningful farewell that preserves the deceased’s legacy and provides peace during a difficult time.
Do explore our Taoist funeral packages or contact us with any questions. We are here to assist you with compassion and care during this difficult time.
Rainer Lay
Funeral Director