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华文Losing a loved one is never easy, so it’s best to always send them the best goodbyes before they head towards their new life. This is especially true for those who follow Buddhism and Taoism traditions.
To Buddhists and Taoists, the mourning period lasts for 100 days—a time for the bereaved family to have proper closure while ensuring a smooth transition for the soul.
In this article, you’ll learn the five key traditions observed after 100 days of mourning period in Buddhist and Taoist funerals.
Whether you’re familiar with these practices or learning about them for the first time, this guide will give you a deeper understanding of their significance.
5 Key Traditions and Customs
Every family follows different traditions depending on their beliefs, culture, and lineage.
Nonetheless, the essence of these traditions in a Chinese funeral remain the same—honouring the deceased, accumulating merit, and keeping the memories of the person.
Here are five significant traditions observed during the 100-day mourning period:
1. The First 7 Days (Head Seven) – Initial Prayers and Offerings
For Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, the first seven days after death are extremely important. During this time, it is said that the soul of your loved one remains close to the living world.
The bereaved family members will hold prayers and make offerings such as food, incense, and joss paper (spirit money) to ensure the deceased has comfort in the afterlife and lessen their suffering.
Chanting is a common practice seen in the Buddhist traditions, with the Buddhist monks reciting the Amitabha Sutra to help the soul reach a better rebirth.
The principle behind this tradition is also the same for Taoist beliefs.
During the taoist funeral, the priests chant scriptures to guide the deceased through the afterlife as they believe that the chanting clears bad karma and helps the spirit on its journey.
Some families invite monks or Taoist priests to continue these prayers on a weekly basis up to the 49th day, strengthening the soul’s spiritual passage.
In Chinese culture, these rites guide the soul and bring peace as it is still attached to the world.
2. The 49th Day – Final Judgment and Rebirth
The 49th day marks a significant moment in the afterlife journey. At this time, it is believed the soul is now being judged based on its past deeds and that their rebirth will be determined during this day.
In most Buddhist funerals and traditions, this is the day when the soul moves onto its next life based on karma. Good deeds lead to a fortunate rebirth, while bad deeds result in a lower form of existence.
Taoist traditions focus on spiritual trials, where the soul must pass through different realms before reaching peace.
To ensure a smooth passing, there will be a grand prayer service ceremony for the dead as a funeral ritual with the family members making offerings, burning incense, and seeking blessings from monks or priests.
3. Placing the Ancestral Tablet and Spirit Tablet Offerings
After the 100-day period, many families install an ancestral tablet in their home altar or a temple.
This marks the deceased’s transition from a wandering spirit to a honoured ancestor, ensuring their spirit has a place to be honoured for generations.
The ancestral tablet is more than just a symbol. It serves as a spiritual connection between the living and the departed.
At this time, families continue to burn incense, offer food, and pray at the tablet to show respect and gratitude. These regular offerings are believed to provide blessings and protection from the ancestors.
By placing the tablet, the family welcomes the spirit into its new role as a guardian of future generations.
It’s a practice that reinforces the idea that loved ones remain present, watching over their descendants and guiding them in life.
4. Wearing Mourning Clothes and Observing Mourning Etiquette
During the 100-day mourning period, mourners wear simple, plain-coloured clothing—commonly in white, grey, or other muted tones—to reflect their grief.
Bright colours, particularly red, are avoided as they symbolise joy and celebration.
In most Buddhist funerals, there are other etiquettes include observing dietary restrictions, such as abstaining from meat, alcohol, or entertainment, as a way to practise detachment from worldly pleasures and focus on remembrance.
In Taoist traditions, some families refrain from attending celebratory events such as weddings, baby showers, or birthdays, as these occasions carry strong yang energy that may disrupt the mourning process.
These customs serve as a way to honour the dead while also protecting the living from spiritual imbalances.
Beyond external customs, mourning is also a time for deep reflection, gratitude, and respect for the natural cycle of life and death.
5. The 100th Day Memorial Ceremony
The 100th day marks the official end of the mourning period. It is a significant milestone that symbolises the family’s transition from intense grief to regular ancestral remembrance.
A final memorial ceremony is held at a temple, home altar, or columbarium. Families make one last offering of food, incense, and joss paper to honour the deceased.
This ritual ensures the spirit has received sufficient blessings and can now rest peacefully.
After this day, the departed is no longer considered to be in transition, but becomes a revered ancestor, and families continue to honour them through regular prayers and offerings.
This ceremony provides a sense of closure, allowing loved ones to move forward while keeping their connection to the departed.
Honouring Traditions, Finding Peace
These five key rituals help the deceased transition smoothly into the afterlife while strengthening family bonds.
Every prayer, offering, and act of remembrance you make in the funeral ceremony ensures that your loved ones are never truly forgotten.
For many families, these customs bring comfort and reassurance. They offer a way to show respect, accumulate merit, and express gratitude for a life well lived, while also guiding the living through the grief process.
Honour Your Loved Ones With Rituals From Infinity Legacy
At Infinity Legacy, we offer Buddhist and Taoist funeral services to ensure a dignified and meaningful farewell.
Our Buddhist funeral rites include monk-led chanting, prayer materials, and ancestral tablet placements to guide the departed to a peaceful afterlife.
And for Taoist funerals, we provide priest-led rituals, ceremonial altars, and symbolic offerings to honour traditions and ensure a smooth transition.
With expertise and compassion, we help families uphold these sacred customs with ease!
We offer:
- A range of columbarium niches for every budget
- Personalised services for all religious practices
- Multilingual support for clear communication
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Flexible 0% interest payment plans for up to 48 months
Start planning today with Infinity Legacy and rest assured that all Chinese funeral customs are practised in the service!