What happens at a Chinese Taoist funeral

Taoist, Buddhist, and folk custom together

Few Chinese families are purely Taoist. Most who ask for Taoist rites are following the customs of their region — Guangdong, Hong Kong, Fujian, Chaozhou, or Taiwan — in which Taoist ritual, Buddhist chanting, and ancestral practice have blended over centuries. It is common for a family to hold Taoist rites at the wake and also invite Buddhist chanting, or to keep Buddhist rites but burn paper offerings in the Taoist manner. We follow your family's custom, whatever the mix.

The priest and the rites

The Taoist priest conducts a series of rites at the wake and on the day of the funeral. Depending on region these may include opening the road for the soul (開路), reciting scriptures to release the soul from suffering, and — in Cantonese custom — the dramatic rite of breaking the gates of hell (破地獄), in which the priest leaps and strikes through tiles representing the underworld. The rites are accompanied by chanting, bells, drums, and sometimes wind instruments, and the family takes part by kneeling, bowing, and following the priest around the altar.

Because these rites need space, time, and preparation, tell us early that your family would like a Taoist priest. We work with priests who serve the community and will arrange the altar, the ritual items, and the schedule with them.

Paper offerings (紙紮)

The most visible feature of a Taoist funeral is the burning of paper offerings: joss paper and spirit money (金銀紙, 冥幣), and paper models of a house, a car, clothing, servants, and everyday goods, all made to provide for the deceased in the next world. They are displayed near the altar during the wake and burned at the end of the funeral or at the cemetery. Guests do not need to bring any; the family and the funeral home prepare them. The burning is arranged by the funeral home, at a place where it is permitted.

The altar and the wake

The altar holds the portrait, incense and candles, lamps, fruit and cooked food offerings, and often a small paper or cloth memorial. Unlike a Buddhist altar, food offerings may include meat and wine. Guests pay their respects with three bows and, if invited, offer incense. A monk or Taoist priest may be chanting when you arrive; wait for a pause before approaching the altar.

The funeral and afterwards

On the funeral day the priest leads the final rites and the procession to the cemetery or crematory, often walking ahead of the hearse for the first stretch. Afterwards the family observes the seventh-day rites (做七), particularly the first seventh day (頭七), when the soul is believed to return home; a meal and the deceased's favorite foods are set out for it. The hundredth day, the first anniversary, Qingming, and Chung Yeung (重陽) are later occasions to make offerings at the grave.

How we help

We arrange the priest, prepare the altar and paper offerings correctly, and coordinate the burning safely. See our Taoist funeral services, and call us with any question about your family's regional custom.

Last reviewed October 2026 by Wah On Funeral Home.