A Guide of Etiquette for Non-Buddhists When Attending Buddhist Funerals

As in any religion, Buddhist funerals follow their own set of traditional customs and rituals. The following article outlines what you can expect at a Buddhist funeral service in the event that you are a non-Buddhist and need to know the proper etiquette when attending a ceremony:

What to Expect At a Buddhist Funeral Service:

• When a person of Buddhist denomination passes away, they are usually buried within one week of death. If you are attending a funeral ritual at a temple, it is customary to remove one’s footwear. The funeral rites are simple and respectful, including sacred words chanted by the congregation and the burning of incense. Although non-Buddhist guests aren’t expected to participate in the ceremony, they may attend the service and quietly observe the rituals.
• Depending on the cultural background of the deceased, the Buddhist funeral will either be lead by a minister or priest if following Japanese custom, or by a monk in the Southeast Asian tradition.
• During the ceremony, you can expect quotations from the ‘sutras’, the religious Buddhist scriptures that celebrate the wisdom of Buddha. If you are non-Buddhist, you won’t be expected to do anything within the service, other than standing or sitting as directed.
• An open casket is customary at a Buddhist funeral – guests are expected to view the body and upon approaching the coffin, make a slight bow towards it as a sign of respect. Typically, it is Buddhist tradition to cremate the deceased; however, there are sometimes instances where burial rites will take place.

Customs to be Aware of Following a Buddhist Funeral Ceremony:

• Following the death of a loved one, there are certain Buddhist customs that should be noted within the mourning period. Once the deceased has been cremated, the remains are collected and either brought to a cemetery or sprinkled outdoors at a location of the family’s choosing.

• After six days have passed since the individual has died, a Buddhist monk or priest will deliver a sermon at the home of the deceased.  Following this ceremony, friends and family will gather on the seventh day at the temple and attend a memorial service to commemorate the bereaved.

• Family, friends and relatives of the deceased will then gather after the first-year anniversary, and then again after the third year anniversary to pay homage to their beloved. This series of memorials marks the end of the “official” mourning period.