What happens at a Chinese Australian funeral?

Chinese Australian funerals can include Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, Christian and secular elements. The details depend on the family's region, language, migration history, religion and the advice of elders. Some families follow traditional rites closely. Others hold a Western style chapel service with selected Chinese customs.

The main point for a funeral director is not to assume. Ask who in the family will guide the customs, whether a temple or ritual specialist is involved, and whether the family needs extra time for viewing, offerings, chanting or a burial procession.

What should be arranged early?

Ask whether the family needs a viewing before the service, whether the coffin should be open, whether chanting or rites need to happen in the funeral home, and whether joss paper or incense will be used. Crematoria and chapels may have restrictions on burning incense or paper offerings, so this must be checked before the day.

Some families will want a funeral date chosen with reference to the lunar calendar or advice from an elder. Others will prioritise cemetery or crematorium availability. The funeral director should make timing options clear before bookings are locked in.

The service

A Chinese Australian funeral may be held at a funeral chapel, church, temple, crematorium, cemetery chapel or graveside. The order can include a viewing, bowing to the coffin, offerings, chanting, prayers, eulogies, music and a committal.

Buddhist families may invite monks or lay chanters. Taoist rites may involve ritual specialists, paper offerings and set prayers. Christian Chinese families may hold a church service with hymns, scripture and a pastor or priest. Non-religious families may choose a civil celebrant and include only selected customs.

The family may place a portrait near the coffin. White flowers are common. Red is usually avoided because it is associated with celebration, though there are exceptions, especially where the person lived to an advanced age and the family frames the service differently.

Mourning periods and memorial rites

Some families observe rites every seven days after death, leading to the 49th day. Others mark the 100th day, the first anniversary, or Qingming, the tomb sweeping festival. These observances may happen at home, at a temple, at a cemetery or through family prayer.

A spirit tablet or memorial tablet may be used in some Buddhist, Taoist or ancestor veneration traditions. It may be kept at home for a period, placed at a temple or moved to a permanent family altar.

Burial, cremation and ashes

Both burial and cremation are used by Chinese Australian families. Burial may be preferred where feng shui, family grave arrangements or ancestor veneration are important. Cremation may be chosen because of cost, space, family preference or migration history.

If ashes are kept, interred, scattered or taken overseas, the family should check the relevant cemetery, crematorium, airline and destination requirements.

What guests should know

Dress in white, black or subdued colours. Avoid red, bright colours and overly casual clothing unless the family gives different instructions. You may be invited to bow, offer incense, approach the coffin or place a flower. Follow the family's lead.

White envelopes may be used in some families for condolence money. The amount and process vary, so ask someone close to the family rather than guessing.

Further reading

• SBS Cultural Atlas: Chinese culture
• ABS: Cultural diversity, Census 2021
• Buddhist Council of New South Wales

Frequently asked questions

When you are ready

• Buddhist funerals in Australia
• Vietnamese Australian funerals
• What to wear to a funeral
• Burial or cremation
• Find a funeral director near you