Editing Funeral (section)

==Asian funerals==
{{see also|Chinese funerary art|Chinese veneration of the dead|Ancestor veneration in China|wu (shaman)|shi (personator)|joss paper|Culture of Vietnam#Funeral}}
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2014}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 137-009055, Leichenzug in Peking.jpg|thumb|left|Funeral procession in [[Beijing]], 1900]]
[[File:Korean Funeral Armband.png|thumb|A traditional armband indicating seniority and lineage in relation to the deceased, a common practice in South Korea]]

In most East Asian, South Asian and many Southeast Asian cultures, the wearing of white is symbolic of death. In these societies, white or off-white robes are traditionally worn to symbolize that someone has died and can be seen worn among relatives of the deceased during a funeral ceremony. In Chinese culture, red is strictly forbidden as it is a traditionally symbolic color of happiness. Exceptions are sometimes made if the deceased has reached an advanced age such as 85, in which case the funeral is considered a celebration, where wearing white with some red is acceptable. Contemporary Western influence however has meant that dark-colored or black attire is now often also acceptable for mourners to wear (particularly for those outside the family). In such cases, mourners wearing dark colors at times may also wear a white or off-white armband or white robe.

Contemporary [[South Korea]]n funerals typically mix western culture with traditional Korean culture, largely depending on socio-economic status, region, and religion. In almost all cases, all related males in the family wear woven armbands representing seniority and lineage in relation to the deceased, and must grieve next to the deceased for a period of three days before burying the body. During this period of time, it is customary for the males in the family to personally greet all who come to show respect. While burials have been preferred historically, recent trends show a dramatic increase in cremations due to shortages of proper burial sites and difficulties in maintaining a traditional grave. The ashes of the cremated corpse are commonly stored in [[columbaria]].

===In Japan===
{{main|Japanese funeral}}
[[File:Sudangee (last offices) shaving the head of the dead in Japan-J. M. W. Silver.jpg|thumb|Sudangee or last offices being performed on a dead person, illustration from 1867]]
Most Japanese funerals are conducted with Buddhist and/or Shinto rites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/07/28/reference/japans-funerals-deep-rooted-mix-of-ritual-form/|title=Japan's funerals deep-rooted mix of ritual, form|last=Nakata|first=Hiroko|date=2009-07-28|newspaper=The Japan Times Online|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref> Many ritually bestow a new name on the deceased; funerary names typically use obsolete or archaic kanji and words, to avoid the likelihood of the name being used in ordinary speech or writing. The new names are typically chosen by a Buddhist priest, after consulting the family of the deceased.

Religious thought among the Japanese people is generally a blend of Shintō and Buddhist beliefs. In modern practice, specific rites concerning an individual's passage through life are generally ascribed to one of these two faiths. Funerals and follow-up memorial services fall under the purview of Buddhist ritual, and 90% Japanese funerals are conducted in a Buddhist manner[?]. Aside from the religious aspect, a Japanese funeral usually includes a wake, the cremation of the deceased, and inclusion within the family grave. Follow-up services are then performed by a Buddhist priest on specific anniversaries after death.

According to an estimate in 2005, 99% of all deceased Japanese are cremated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srgw.info/CremSoc5/Stats/Interntl/2005/StatsIF.html |title=Cremation Society of G.B. – International Cremation Statistics 2005 |publisher=Srgw.demon.co.uk |date=2007-02-06 |access-date=26 November 2014 |archivedate=2014-11-28 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128224404/http://www.srgw.info/CremSoc5/Stats/Interntl/2005/StatsIF.html |url-status=deviated }}</ref> In most cases the cremated remains are placed in an [[urn]] and then deposited in a family grave. In recent years however, alternative methods of disposal have become more popular, including scattering of the ashes, burial in outer space, and conversion of the cremated remains into a [[diamond]] that can be set in jewelry.

===In the Philippines===
{{main|Funeral practices and burial customs in the Philippines}}
Funeral practices and burial customs in the Philippines encompass a wide range of personal, [[Filipino culture|cultural]], and [[traditional]] beliefs and practices which [[Filipino people|Filipinos]] observe in relation to death, bereavement, and the proper honoring, interment, and remembrance of the dead. These practices have been vastly shaped by the variety of religions and cultures that entered the Philippines throughout its complex [[History of the Philippines|history]].

Most if not all present-day Filipinos, like their ancestors, believe in some form of an [[afterlife]] and give considerable attention to [[veneration of the dead|honouring the dead]].<ref name=MC>[http://musical-chemist.blogspot.com/2009/01/filipinos-and-funeral-traditions.html Filipinos and Funeral Traditions], Organ-ic Chemist, musical-chemist.blogspot.com, January 24, 2009</ref> Except amongst [[Islam in the Philippines|Filipino Muslims]] (who are obliged to bury a corpse less than 24 hours after death), a wake is generally held from three days to a week.<ref name=Sandi>Clark, Sandi. [http://www.indiana.edu/~famlygrf/culture/clark.html Death and Loss in the Philippines], Grief in a Family Context, HPER F460, Summer, 1998, indiana.edu</ref> Wakes in rural areas are usually held in the home, while in urban settings the dead is typically displayed in a funeral home. Friends and neighbors bring food to the family, such as ''[[pancit]]'' noodles and ''[[bibingka]]'' cake'';'' any leftovers are never taken home by guests, because of a superstition against it.<ref name=":4" /> Apart from spreading the news about someone's death verbally,<ref name=Sandi/> [[obituaries]] are also published in newspapers. Although the majority of the Filipino people are Christians,<ref name=Babao>Guballa, Cathy Babao. [http://www.indiana.edu/~famlygrf/culture/babaoguballa.html Grief in the Filipino Family Context], indiana.edu</ref> they have retained some traditional indigenous beliefs concerning death.<ref name=KCC>Pagampao, Karen. [http://bosp.kcc.hawaii.edu/Horizons/horizons_1999/celebration2.html A Celebration of Death Among the Filipino] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003092042/http://bosp.kcc.hawaii.edu/Horizons/horizons_1999/celebration2.html |date=2011-10-03 }}, bosp.kcc.hawaii.edu</ref><ref name=DPPS>Tacio, Henrylito D. [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/10/30/feat/death.practices.philippine.style.html Death Practices Philippine Style] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125125636/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2005/10/30/feat/death.practices.philippine.style.html |date=2010-01-25 }}, sunstar.com, October 30, 2005</ref>

===In Korea===
{{main|Korean traditional funeral}}
[[File:Korean.cuisine-Yukgaejang-01.jpg|thumb|Yukgaejang is a spicy soup with a beef and vegetables in it. It is a Korean traditional food and served during funerals.]]
In Korea, funerals are typically held for three days and different things are done in each day.

The first day: on the day a person dies, the body is moved to a funeral hall. They prepare clothes for the body and put them into a chapel of rest. Then food is prepared for the deceased. It is made up of three bowls of rice and three kinds of Korean side dishes. Also, there has to be three coins and three straw shoes. This can be cancelled if the family of the dead person have a particular religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ehaneul.go.kr/contentsS.do?id=M010202003|title=ehanuel|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref>
[[File:Soju in korean restaurant.JPG|left|thumb|213x213px|''[[Soju]]'', a Korean [[distilled drink]] served at funerals]]
On the second day the funeral director washes the body and shrouding is done. Then, a family member of the dead person puts uncooked rice in the mouth of the body. This step does not have to be done if the family has a certain religion. After putting the rice in the mouth, the body is moved into a coffin. Family members, including close relatives, of the dead person will wear mourning clothing. Typically, mourning for a woman includes Korean traditional clothes, [[Hanbok]], and mourning for man includes a suit. The color has to be black. The ritual ceremony begins when they are done with changing clothes and preparing foods for the dead person. The ritual ceremony is different depending on their religion. After the ritual ceremony family members will start to greet guests.<ref>{{Cite journal|first=Kwang Kyu |last=Lee |year=1984 |title=The Concept of Ancestors and Ancestor Worship in Korea |journal=  Asian Folklore Studies|volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=199–214 |issn=0385-2342 |doi=10.2307/1178009|jstor=1178009 }}</ref>

On the third day, the family decides whether to bury the body in the ground or cremate the body. In the case of burial, three family members sprinkle dirt on the coffin three times. In the case of cremation, there is no specific ritual; the only requirement is a jar to store [[Cremains|burned bones]] and a place to keep the jar.

Other than these facts, in Korea, people who come to the funeral bring condolence money. Also, a food called [[Yukgaejang]] is served to guests, oftentimes with the Korean [[distilled drink]] called [[soju]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seoulsite.com/survival-faq/a-korean-funeral/|title=Seoul Site|website=Seoul Site|access-date=2017-04-03|archivedate=2017-05-05|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505195423/http://www.seoulsite.com/survival-faq/a-korean-funeral/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===In Mongolia===
In Mongolia, like many other cultures, funeral practices are the most important rituals that they follow.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} They have mixed their rituals with Buddhists due to creating a new, unique way of death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://buddhistdeathrituals.blogspot.com/2010/05/mongolian-death-rituals.html|title=Buddhist Death Rituals: Mongolian Death Rituals|last=Stephen|date=2010-05-01|website=Buddhist Death Rituals|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref>

For Mongolians who are very strict about tradition, families choose from three different ways of burial: open-air burial which is most common, cremation, and embalming. Many factors go into deciding which funeral practice to do. These consisted of the family's social standing, the cause of death, and the place of death. Embalming was mainly chosen by members of the Lamaistic Church; by choosing this practice, they are usually buried in a sitting position. This would show that they would always be in the position of prayer. Also, more important people such as nobles would be buried with weapons, horses and food in their coffins to help them prepare for the next world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.welcome2mongolia.com/archives/mongolian-practice-of-burial/|title=Mongolian practice of burial|website=www.welcome2mongolia.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404130604/http://www.welcome2mongolia.com/archives/mongolian-practice-of-burial/|archive-date=2017-04-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The coffin is designed and built by three to four relatives, mainly men. The builders bring planks to the hut where the dead is located and put together the box and the lid. The same people who build the coffin also decorate the funeral. Most of this work is done after dusk. With specific instruction, they work on decorations inside the youngest daughter's house. The reason for this is so the deceased is not disturbed at night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://materialreligions.blogspot.com/2015/04/objects-and-substances-of-funeral.html|title=Objects and Substances of Funeral Mediation in Mongolia: Coffin, Miniature Yurt and Food Offerings|date=2015-04-08|website=Objects and Substances of Funeral Mediation in Mongolia|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref>

===In Vietnam===
[[File:Cảnh đoàn rước đám tang thời nhà Lê trung hưng năm 1684-1685. - The manner of their funeral pomp.png|thumb|The scene of the funeral procession during the Revival Lê dynasty in 1684-1685]] 
[[File:Cờ long tinh tại lễ an táng Hoàng đế Khải Định (1925) , đoàn quan chức.jpg|thumb|Emperor Khải Định's funeral]]
In Vietnam, [[Buddhism]] is the most commonly practiced religion, however, most burial methods do not coincide with the Buddhist belief of [[cremation]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://vietnamreporter.com.au/burying-the-dead-in-vietnam/|title=Burying the dead in Vietnam {{!}} Vietnam Reporter|website=vietnamreporter.com.au|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170221/http://vietnamreporter.com.au/burying-the-dead-in-vietnam/|archive-date=2017-04-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The body of the deceased is moved to a loved one's house and placed in an expensive coffin. The body usually stays there for about three days, allowing time for people to visit and place gifts in the mouth.<ref name=":1" /> This stems from the Vietnamese belief that the dead should be surrounded by their family. This belief goes so far as to include superstition as well. If somebody is dying in Vietnamese culture, they are rushed home from the hospital so they can die there, because if they die away from home it is believed to be bad luck to take a corpse home.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://offroadvietnam.com/vietnam-info/customs-and-rites/funerals|title=Funerals. Important Traditions, Customs – Offroad Vietnam Adventures|work=Offroad Vietnam Adventures|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en-US}}</ref>

Many services are also held in the Vietnamese burial practices. One is held before moving the coffin from the home and the other is held at the burial site.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://ethnomed.org/clinical/end-of-life/death-in-viet|title=Death Rituals in Vietnamese Society – EthnoMed|website=ethnomed.org|language=en|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> After the burial of the loved one, incense is burned at the gravesite and respect is paid to all the nearby graves. Following this, the family and friends return to the home and enjoy a feast to celebrate the life of the recently departed.<ref name=":2" /> Even after the deceased has been buried, the respect and honor continues. For the first 49 days after the burying, the family holds a memorial service every 7 days, where the family and friends come back together to celebrate the life of their loved one. After this, they meet again on the 100th day after the death, then 265 days after the death, and finally they meet on the anniversary of the death of their loved one, a whole year later, to continue to celebrate the glorious life of their recently departed.<ref name=":3" />

The Vietnamese funeral, or đám giỗ, is a less somber occasion than most traditional Western funerals. The đám giỗ is a celebration of the deceased's life and is centered around the deceased's family.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Filek-Gibson |first1=Dana |title=Vietnamese Funeral Rituals |url=https://www.moon.com/travel/arts-culture/vietnamese-funeral-rituals/ |website=Moon |date=18 December 2015 |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>

Family members might wear a traditional garment called a mourning headband to signify their relationship with the deceased. Typical mourning headbands are thin strips of fabric that are wrapped around the wearer's head. Traditionally, the deceased's closest family members, such as children, siblings, spouses, and parents will wear white mourning headbands. More distant family members' headband colors may vary. In some cultures, the deceased's nieces, nephews, or grandchildren may be required to wear white headbands with red dots. Other societies may encourage grandchildren to wear white headbands with blue dots. Fourth generation grandchildren often wear yellow mourning headbands.

The use of mourning headbands emphasizes the importance of personal and familial roles in Vietnamese society. It also allows funeral attendants to carefully choose their interactions and offer condolences to those closest to the deceased.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bich |first1=Ha |title=Top 6 Things About Vietnamese Funerals to Know |url=https://vietnamtrips.com/vietnamese-funerals#vietnamese-funeral-headband |website=Vietnam Trips |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>

Traditionally, attendants of a Vietnamese funeral service are encouraged to wear the color white. In many East Asian cultures, white is viewed as a sign of loss and mourning. In Vietnam, members of the Caodaist faith believe that white represents purity and the ability to communicate beyond spiritual worlds.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zhu Shuai |first1=Shua |last2=Jammes |first2=Jérémy |title=The Cao Đài Deathscape: Reimagining Death, Funerals, and Salvation in Contemporary Vietnam |journal=Religions |date=2020 |volume=11 |issue=6 |page=20 |doi=10.3390/rel11060280 |doi-access=free }}</ref>