Care for yourself and your family
Begin with the family’s wellbeing. Share responsibilities, accept support and give yourselves time before making every decision.
Preparation
Preparing for a Funeral
An introduction to the preparations, family roles and ceremonial choices that may be considered before a traditional funeral.
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Begin with care,
then take each step.
Preparing for a funeral can feel overwhelming, especially while a family is adjusting to the loss of someone close. Begin by supporting one another. The practical decisions can then be approached gradually, with help from experienced people.
Traditional and spiritual preparations may be unfamiliar. Hinzen explains the meaning of each custom, while the family decides which practices feel appropriate for them.
A guided sequence
Preparing the family,
home and ceremony.
The exact order can change according to the circumstances, family tradition and advice from the funeral director and minister.
Prepare the incense and shrine
Begin an incense burner with sand and prepare a large photograph and a smaller photograph of your loved one.
Arrange the first offerings
Place one teacup and three wine cups at the shrine, followed by the traditional “head rice” offering.
Register the passing
Follow the guidance from the hospital, GP or relevant professional. The funeral director will explain which arrangements can begin.
Choose the funeral arrangements
Consider your loved one’s wishes and discuss burial or cremation, the coffin, transport, flowers and viewing with the funeral director.
Agree the ceremony and date
Ask the minister for suitable dates, then coordinate these with the funeral director and cemetery or crematorium.
Consider the burial place
Where burial is chosen, the plot’s direction and Feng Shui may be discussed with the minister before confirming it.
Prepare the ceremonial details
Provide the minister with key family details and dates. They will advise on clothing, offerings, supplies and hospitality.
Details for the minister
Information that helps us
prepare the rites correctly.
The minister may ask for the names of close family members involved in the traditional family line. This commonly includes:
- The children of your loved one
- The wives of sons
- Grandchildren and great-grandchildren descending through the sons and sharing the family surname
- The wives of grandsons
Family structures differ, so please speak with the minister if you are unsure who should be included.
Ask for help
You do not need to
organise everything alone.
The preparation can be complex. Ask family members to share practical tasks and speak openly with your minister and funeral director. Questions are expected, and good guidance should reduce pressure rather than add to it.
Practical funeral arrangements
Religious guidance,
connected with funeral care.
Hinzen has come together with Everlay through the same people and shared leadership. Hinzen provides the religious teachings, ministers and traditional ceremonies, while Everlay provides complete funeral director services. This close partnership allows the ceremonial and practical arrangements to be considered together from the very beginning.
Explore Chinese funeral arrangements with EverlayWant to learn more?
Speak with a
Hinzen minister.
We can explain the teachings in more detail and help your family understand the traditions relevant to you.
Contact us