Traditional Chinese funeral services
A traditional funeral usually unfolds over several days: the wake or vigil (守靈), the funeral ceremony (出殯), the procession, and the burial or cremation. We arrange each part in keeping with your family's regional customs — whether your roots are in Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or elsewhere.
- Wake and viewing in our chapel, including overnight vigil arrangements
- Altar set-up with portrait, incense, candles, and food and fruit offerings
- Joss paper, paper offerings, and ceremonial items prepared correctly
- White and yellow chrysanthemums, wreaths, and memorial couplets (輓聯)
- Guest book, white-envelope (帛金) table, and return tokens for guests
- Guidance on mourning attire and armbands for the family
- Funeral procession, committal, and guidance on 做七 and later observances
More about traditional Chinese funerals
Buddhist services
We coordinate with the monks or nuns (法師) of your family's temple, or help you find clergy if you do not have a temple. We prepare the altar, arrange chanting (誦經) during the wake and funeral, and provide vegetarian offerings and lotus arrangements as your tradition calls for.
- Coordination with your temple or clergy of your choice
- Chanting and 往生 rites during the wake and funeral
- Altar with Buddha image, incense, and vegetarian offerings
- Guidance on the 49-day (七七) period of observance
More about Buddhist funeral services
Taoist services
For families who observe Taoist rites, we work with Taoist priests (道長) to conduct the ceremonies, and we prepare the paper offerings — money, houses, and other goods — that are burned to provide for your loved one in the next world.
- Coordination with Taoist priests for rites and chanting
- Paper offerings (紙紮) and joss paper arranged and burned properly
- Altar preparation and offerings according to your family's practice
More about Taoist funeral services
Christian services
We arrange Catholic and Protestant services with your priest or pastor, in our chapel or at your church. Many Chinese Christian families wish to keep certain customs — bowing before the portrait, chrysanthemums, the family's order of seniority — and we blend them respectfully into the service.
- Coordination with your church and clergy
- Services in our chapel or at your place of worship
- Hymns, scripture, and eulogies in English and Chinese
- Chinese customs incorporated as the family wishes
More about Christian funeral services
Non-religious and memorial services
Not every family observes a faith. We arrange dignified secular services and memorial gatherings, and we are just as attentive to the cultural customs your family may still wish to keep.
Cremation and burial
We help you choose between burial and cremation, select a casket or urn, and make arrangements with the cemetery, columbarium, or temple where your loved one will rest. If your family consults an almanac (通勝／黃曆) or an advisor when choosing dates and placements, we schedule around it.
- Cemetery, columbarium, and temple placement arrangements
- Casket and urn selection at a range of prices
- Direct cremation and simple burial options
- Scheduling that respects auspicious dates chosen by your family
More about cremation
More about burial
Returning a loved one home
For families who wish to bring a loved one's remains or ashes back to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or elsewhere, we coordinate the documentation, consular requirements, and transportation.
More about returning a loved one home
Planning ahead
Recording your wishes in advance spares your children difficult decisions at a difficult time, and lets you make choices calmly, in your own language. There is no obligation and no pressure. We are glad to meet with you and your family whenever you are ready.
Ask about pre-planning
How pre-planning works
Clear, honest pricing
We explain every cost before you decide anything, and we provide a written General Price List, as required by federal law. There are no hidden fees, and we will help you plan a service that is meaningful within your family's means. Please call or ask us for a copy of our price list.
