Services
Traditional Chinese funeral services
A traditional Chinese funeral is a sequence of rites: the wake, the funeral ceremony, the procession, and the burial or cremation. We arrange each part at our chapel in Highland Park, New Jersey, in keeping with your family’s regional customs and in the language your family prefers.
How a traditional funeral unfolds
The wake (守靈) comes first. Family members keep watch beside their loved one, incense is kept burning, and relatives and friends come to bow before the portrait. Depending on the family, the wake lasts one evening or several days.
The funeral itself (出殯) is usually a single morning. The family pays its respects first (家祭), then friends, colleagues, and community organizations (公祭). After the eulogies and a final viewing, the casket is closed and the procession leaves for the cemetery or crematory. Our guide to the funeral ceremony, procession, and burial describes each step.
Your family’s regional customs
Customs differ between Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and northern China, and between one family and the next. One family holds Taoist rites at the wake and Buddhist chanting on the day; another keeps only the bow, the portrait, and the white flowers. We ask before we assume, and we arrange the altar, the offerings, and the order of the day the way your family observes them.
Choosing the dates
If your family consults the almanac (通勝／黃曆) or an advisor when choosing the day and hour, tell us. We schedule the chapel, the clergy, and the cemetery or crematory around the dates chosen.
Guests who are new to the customs
Many funerals bring together relatives who know every rite and colleagues or neighbors who have never attended one. We are with the family throughout the wake, the funeral, and the committal, and we quietly guide guests who are unsure what to do. Our customs guide can be shared with guests beforehand.
Clear costs
We explain every cost before you decide anything, and we provide a written General Price List, as required by federal law. Please call or ask us for a copy.
What we arrange
- 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
Frequently asked questions
How many days does a traditional Chinese funeral take?
It depends on the family. A wake of one evening followed by the funeral the next morning is common; some families keep a longer vigil. Tell us what your family observes and we will plan around it.
Can the family keep an overnight vigil?
Yes. Our chapel can be arranged for an overnight vigil. Tell us when you call so that we can prepare.
Can Buddhist, Taoist, and family customs be combined?
Yes. Most families observe a blend, and we arrange the rites and clergy for each part.
Do you serve families who are not Chinese?
Yes. We specialize in Chinese customs and welcome families of all backgrounds.
Not sure what your family needs?
Call us. We will listen and talk it through with you. There is no charge for a conversation.