Lance Carson
Chinese funeral rituals are steeped in tradition and vary according to religious beliefs, social status, and the cause of death. Incense, or joss sticks, play a significant role in these ceremonies. Each mourner takes an odd number of sticks (typically three) and bows three times to the deceased before placing the incense in a designated urn. This act of respect is performed both before and after the body is interred or cremated. The burning of joss paper, or incense paper, is also common at Chinese funerals, with the belief that it ensures the spirit of the deceased has sufficient means in the afterlife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for burning incense | To show respect to the deceased |
| To ensure the spirit of the deceased has sufficient means in the afterlife | |
| To bribe Yanluo for a shorter stay or to escape punishment | |
| To purify oneself | |
| Number of incense sticks | 1, 3, 7, or 9 (always an odd number) |
| Incense burning procedure | Each person bows three times to the ancestor/deceased, then places the incense upright into a large urn |
| Incense is burned in large furnaces on the roof of the building or in mini-furnaces built into the wall | |
| Incense is burned before the body is interred or cremated | |
| Incense is burned during the last stage of Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies | |
| Incense is burned in a circle drawn on the pavement or sidewalk between residential buildings | |
| Incense is burned in an earthenware pot or a specially built chimney | |
| Incense is burned after the deceased is dressed in funeral attire and before the closing of the lid of the coffin | |
| Incense is burned in front of the coffin during funeral ceremonies | |
| Incense is burned with joss paper or spirit money |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense is burned to show respect for the deceased
- Burning incense is a common practice in Chinese folk religion
- Incense is burned at funerals to symbolise the need for ancestor veneration among the living
- The number of incense sticks burned is always an odd number
- Incense is burned at the end of a funeral ceremony
Incense is burned to show respect for the deceased
Incense is burned at Chinese funerals as a way to show respect for the deceased. The burning of incense is a common element across different subsets of Taoism, Buddhism, and traditional Chinese beliefs.
Chinese funeral rituals are steeped in tradition and are associated with Chinese folk religion. The rituals vary depending on the age, cause of death, marital status, and social status of the deceased. The funeral ceremony typically spans seven days, with mourners dressing according to their relationship with the deceased.
Respect for the deceased is a central tenet of Confucian philosophy, which calls for paying respect to one's ancestors as an act of filial piety. This respect is demonstrated through various rituals, including the burning of incense.
During a Chinese funeral, each person takes an odd number of incense sticks (typically three, but also one, seven, or nine) and bows three times to the deceased. This act of bowing and offering incense is a way to pay homage and show reverence for the departed soul.
The incense, also known as joss sticks, are placed upright in a large urn specifically designed for this purpose. The urn may be a large furnace on the roof or a mini-furnace built into the wall of the funeral hall. The smoke and fragrance released by burning incense are believed to create a sacred atmosphere and serve as an offering to the deceased.
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Burning incense is a common practice in Chinese folk religion
The number three is significant in Chinese funeral rituals, with many customary gestures performed three times. The colour white is also significant, with those closest to the deceased wearing white garments. Other colours are also worn, but red, yellow, and brown are traditionally avoided during the mourning period, which can last up to three years.
The practice of burning incense is often accompanied by other rituals, such as the offering of joss paper, also known as incense papers. Joss paper is a type of papercraft or sheet of paper that is burned as an offering to the deceased. It is believed that burning joss paper ensures that the spirit of the deceased has sufficient means in the afterlife. Joss paper may be folded and stacked into elaborate pagodas or lotuses, or burned in the shape of gold ingots in an earthenware pot or specially built chimney.
The specific rituals performed at a Chinese funeral can vary depending on the subset of Taoism, Buddhism, or traditional Chinese beliefs that the deceased followed. However, there are common elements throughout, including the burning of incense and joss paper, which is done to show respect for the dead and to strengthen the bonds between family members.
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Incense is burned at funerals to symbolise the need for ancestor veneration among the living
Incense is burned at Chinese funerals as part of a set of traditions associated with Chinese folk religion. Different procedures are carried out depending on the specific subset of Taoism, Buddhism, or traditional Chinese beliefs to which the deceased subscribed. However, there are common elements throughout.
Ancestor veneration is an important aspect of Chinese funeral rituals, and this is where incense burning comes in. Incense, also known as joss sticks, is offered to the deceased as a sign of respect. Each person takes three (or one, seven, or nine—always an odd number) incense sticks, bows three times to the ancestor or deceased, and places the sticks upright into a large urn. This ritual is also performed at the graveside or crematorium before the body is interred or cremated.
Joss paper, or incense paper, is another type of incense offering commonly burned at Chinese funerals. These are papercrafts or sheets of paper folded and burned as offerings to the deceased. Joss paper is often folded into the shape of gold ingots and burned in an earthenware pot or a specially built chimney. The practice of offering joss paper to ancestors is an essential part of Taoist rituals and is also common in Chinese folk religion.
The burning of joss paper is done to ensure that the spirit of the deceased has sufficient means in the afterlife. Hell Bank Notes, a type of joss paper, are commonly found in regions with dominant Cantonese populations. These are offered to ancestors to spend on lavish items in the afterlife or to bribe Yanluo for a shorter stay or to escape punishment.
Thus, the burning of incense at Chinese funerals symbolises the need for ancestor veneration among the living, as it is a way to show respect to the deceased and ensure their comfort in the afterlife.
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The number of incense sticks burned is always an odd number
Incense, or joss sticks, are burned at Chinese funerals as part of a set of traditions associated with Chinese folk religion. The number of joss sticks burned is always an odd number, specifically 1, 3, 7, or 9. Each mourner takes this prescribed number of sticks, bows three times to the deceased, and then places the sticks upright in a large urn.
The number three is significant in Chinese funeral rituals, with many customary gestures being carried out three times. This includes the act of kowtowing, which involves getting down on one's knees and pressing one's forehead as close as possible to the floor.
The specific subset of Taoism, Buddhism, or traditional Chinese beliefs subscribed to by the deceased determines the funeral procedures. However, common elements are shared across these different traditions. For example, the belief in life after death and the need for ancestor veneration are prevalent across the board.
Joss paper, or incense paper, is another common feature of Chinese funerals. These are sheets of paper made into burnt offerings, which are common in Chinese ancestral worship. The paper is folded in half or bought pre-folded into the shape of gold ingots before being burned in an earthenware pot or a specially built chimney.
The burning of joss paper is done to ensure that the deceased's spirit has sufficient means in the afterlife. This practice is also believed to be a bribe to Yanluo for a shorter stay or to escape punishment.
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Incense is burned at the end of a funeral ceremony
Incense is burned at the end of a Chinese funeral ceremony as part of a set of traditions associated with Chinese folk religion. The specific rituals may vary depending on the subset of Taoism, Buddhism, or traditional Chinese beliefs that the deceased person followed.
In general, Chinese funeral ceremonies are carried out over seven days, and mourners wear funeral attire according to their relationship with the deceased. White is worn by those closest to the deceased, such as their children, while more distant relatives wear black, blue, or green. Red, yellow, and brown are avoided as these colours are not typically associated with mourning.
After the funeral ceremony, the body is taken to the graveyard or crematorium, where there is another round of bowing with incense offerings before the body is interred or cremated. The practice of offering incense, or joss sticks, is a way to show respect to the deceased and is believed to ensure that their spirit has sufficient means in the afterlife.
Joss paper, also known as incense paper, is another type of offering commonly burned at Chinese funerals. These papers are folded or stacked into elaborate shapes and burned in a ritual known as ancestor worship. The burning of joss paper is usually the last act performed in Chinese funeral ceremonies, symbolizing respect for the deceased and the belief in providing for their spirit in the afterlife.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is burned at Chinese funerals as a way to show respect to the deceased and to ensure they have everything they need in the afterlife.
Funeral customs vary depending on the subset of Taoism, Buddhism, or traditional Chinese beliefs that the deceased followed. Generally, funerals are carried out over seven days, and mourners wear funeral dress according to their relationship with the deceased.
The number three is significant in Chinese funeral rituals, with many customary gestures being carried out three times. For example, participants bow and kowtow in groups of threes to show respect to the deceased.
