Taoist Funerals in Singapore: Rituals, Traditions, and Practices

Introduction to Taoist Funerals

What is a Taoist funeral?

A Taoist funeral is a ceremonial practice rooted in Taoist beliefs about balance, the afterlife, and reincarnation. The rituals aim to guide the deceased’s spirit through the afterlife and help it achieve harmony with nature. Central elements include chanting, burning paper effigies, and offerings to deities and ancestors. 

Funerals may differ based on the deceased’s family’s specific Taoist traditions, but all focus on honouring the dead, comforting the living, and maintaining spiritual balance. The ceremonies reflect deep respect for Taoist principles of yin-yang and the cyclical nature of life and death.

Taoism, also known as Daoism, is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion founded around the 6th century BCE by Laozi, the author of the Tao Te Ching. It focuses on living in harmony with the Tao (the Way), which represents the natural order of the universe. 

Central principles include balance through yin-yang, simplicity, and aligning one’s life with nature. Taoism influences various aspects of Chinese culture, including medicine, martial arts, and governance, promoting peace, humility, and spiritual connection with the cosmos.

Afterlife and reincarnation

In Taoist funerals, beliefs about the afterlife and reincarnation are deeply symbolic and structured around guiding the deceased’s spirit. Taoists see life, death and rebirth as parts of a cosmic cycle, with death marking a transition rather than an end. 

The soul embarks on a journey to the afterlife, passing through trials influenced by its earthly actions. Families perform rituals like chanting, offerings, and burning paper effigies to provide spiritual guidance and resources, such as symbolic money or items. These acts ensure the soul’s comfort in the afterlife or a favourable reincarnation, maintaining harmony with the Tao.

Why do Taoist funerals sometimes look different from each other?

Variation in Practices: Taoist funerals differ due to Chinese dialect groups, regional customs, deities worshipped, and family preferences.

Influence of Dialects: Different dialects (e.g., Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Cantonese) impact funeral practices, including deities and rituals.

Modernisation: Younger generations may simplify or adapt traditional practices to suit their lifestyle.

Regional Differences: Regional Taoist practices, like those in Southern China or Taiwan, include unique rituals such as the Monkey God worship or San Tai Zi dance.

Local Beliefs: Cultural customs, like rice and livestock offerings in Teochew funerals, reflect local agricultural beliefs.

Principles and Symbols of Taoism

Yin and Yang

In Taoism, yin and yang represent the duality and balance of life. Yin is passive, dark, and feminine, while yang is active, light, and masculine. Together, they symbolise the interconnectedness and interdependence of opposites.

In Taoist funerals, yin and yang are reflected in the balance between life and death. Death is seen as part of the natural cycle, where the soul transitions from the yang energy of life to the yin energy of the afterlife. Rituals and offerings help restore balance, guiding the deceased’s spirit in harmony with the universe.

Preparation for a Taoist Funeral

Head of family leads and makes decisions

In Taoist funerals, the head of the family holds significant responsibility in overseeing and making decisions about the funeral rites. This individual, usually the eldest son or closest male relative, ensures the ceremony aligns with Taoist traditions, family wishes, and cultural practices. 

They guide the family in making decisions about the rituals, deities to be honoured, and the overall tone of the funeral. Their leadership is vital in ensuring that the proper balance and respect for both the deceased and spiritual traditions are maintained throughout the process.

Deities to be covered in cloth if funeral is held at home

In Taoist funerals, deities are covered in cloth if the funeral is held at home as a sign of respect and to maintain the focus on the deceased’s transition. Taoist families believe that during the mourning period, spirits should not be disturbed by other deities or ancestral figures. 

Covering religious icons or statues prevents them from “witnessing” the death or interfering with the soul’s journey, ensuring the purity of the mourning rituals and maintaining the balance between the living and the spiritual world.

Preparing the altar & offerings

In Taoist funerals, preparing the altar and offerings is a key ritual to honour the deceased and guide their spirit through the afterlife. The altar is typically set up at the home or funeral venue, with offerings such as incense, fruits, paper money, and symbolic items. 

These offerings represent respect for the deceased and are believed to help them in their journey to the afterlife. The family places these items in front of Taoist deities or ancestral tablets, seeking blessings for peace and a smooth transition.

Encoffin

In Taoist funerals, the encoffin is an important ritual where the deceased’s body is carefully placed into a coffin, marking the official preparation for their journey into the afterlife. Before the encoffin, a final set of prayers and blessings are performed by family members, often with the assistance of a Taoist priest. 

The body is typically dressed in special ceremonial attire, such as longevity clothing, symbolising a peaceful transition. It is also common to place items such as offerings, symbolic paper money, and even food or personal objects inside the coffin. This process represents respect and reverence for the deceased, ensuring that they are well-equipped for the spiritual journey ahead.

Longevity attire

In Taoist funerals, longevity attire is worn by the deceased under specific circumstances, typically for those over sixty, with no unmarried children, and with grandchildren. 

These garments are designed to ensure peace in the afterlife and are often loose-fitting with large openings to avoid negative impacts on future descendants’ wealth. The arms must be fully covered to prevent poverty for the descendants, and the attire is made without pockets to avoid the deceased taking away good fortune. Longevity suits are often in odd numbers, symbolising auspiciousness in Taoist traditions.

Key Rituals and Practices

Burning of paper effigies

In Taoist funerals, burning paper effigies is an important ritual intended to send offerings to the deceased’s spirit. These paper items, such as clothes, money, or even houses, are burned to provide the deceased with material comfort in the afterlife. 

This act is believed to ensure that the departed’s journey to the afterlife is smooth and that their needs are met in the spirit world. It reflects the Taoist belief in maintaining harmony between the living and the deceased through symbolic gestures of respect and care.

Chanting and prayers

In Taoist funerals, chanting and prayers play a crucial role in guiding the deceased’s spirit to the afterlife. Led by senior Taoist priests, these prayers are often recited in the deceased’s native dialect and are intended to ensure a peaceful transition to reincarnation. Taoists believe that the soul’s journey takes 49 days, during which ‘court officials’ evaluate the deeds and sins of the deceased to determine their next life.

The prayer ceremony involves walking paths with the family, where paper money is thrown to ‘bribe’ the officials for a favourable afterlife. The Teochew tradition, in particular, includes a symbolic crossing of a bridge, further emphasising the soul’s journey. This practice helps to align the soul with positive outcomes, ensuring that it moves forward with good fortune in the next life.

These rituals also provide spiritual comfort to the living and are deeply tied to Taoist principles of balance, harmony, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The chanting, alongside the burning of paper effigies and offerings, facilitates a smoother passage for the deceased, helping them gain merit and peace in the afterlife. Through these sacred practices, Taoists uphold the belief that death is not an end, but a continuation of the soul’s journey in the eternal flow of life.

Paying respects during the wake

In a Taoist funeral, paying respects during the wake is an important ritual. Friends and family gather at the wake to honour the deceased, offering prayers and making offerings. Guests will approach the altar, where they may bow, light incense, and say prayers to guide the spirit. 

This act of respect is symbolic, acknowledging the deceased’s journey and ensuring their peaceful transition to the afterlife. The family, along with the funeral director and Taoist priests, will provide cues for when and how to participate.

Taoist funeral etiquette: What do you do at a Taoist funeral?

Taoist funeral etiquette involves specific practices that demonstrate respect and humility towards the deceased. Attendees are expected to dress modestly in subdued colours like white. Upon arrival, visitors can approach the altar to offer prayers, light incense, and bow as a sign of respect. 

It’s important to follow the funeral director’s cues for sitting, standing, and other actions during the ceremony. Additionally, visitors should remain quiet and avoid disturbing the solemn atmosphere, allowing family members and Taoist priests to guide the rituals smoothly.

Taoist Funeral Blanket (天地被)

The Taoist Funeral Blanket (天地被) is a significant item in Taoist funeral practices, symbolising the connection between the deceased and the cosmos. It is typically used to cover the body during the funeral process and is believed to help protect the spirit on its journey to the afterlife.

Big Headed Dolls (大头娃娃)

In Taoist funerals, Big Headed Dolls (大头娃娃) play a significant symbolic role, representing protection and spiritual guidance for the deceased’s journey into the afterlife. Traditionally, these dolls had happy faces (笑童), but now crying-faced dolls (哭童) are becoming more popular, reflecting a more sombre tone. 

The dolls are often accompanied by a gong guan performance, which involves the rhythmic sounds of cymbals and drums. This performance, typically held on the final day of the funeral, provides the deceased with a grand and respectful farewell, marking the end of the wake with a loud, vibrant expression of support for their spiritual transition.

Funeral Procession and Wake

In Taoist funerals, the funeral procession marks the final journey of the deceased to their burial or cremation site. The procession often begins with a lively and colourful display, with mourners dressed in white clothing. A Taoist priest leads the procession, performing rituals to guide the soul of the deceased. Family members and close relatives walk behind the casket to show their respect and support for the departed, symbolising their love and the farewell.

During the procession, loud music or marching bands may be included to ward off unwanted spirits. Some families may opt for a more extended walk, believing that a longer journey will help the deceased’s soul find its way to the afterlife on the 7th day (头七). The procession may also include rituals such as sprinkling pomegranate flower water on attendees to cleanse them of any lingering bad luck or spirits.

In addition to this, some Taoist funerals may feature a grander send-off, with musical performances, dances, and prayer ceremonies. Depending on the family’s wishes and the priest’s advice, the procession may be held in the morning or afternoon. 

Regardless of the variations, the main purpose remains the same: to show respect for the deceased and ensure a peaceful transition to the afterlife. This final farewell emphasises Taoist beliefs in the cyclical nature of life and death, honouring the deceased with dignity and reverence.

Post-Funeral Practices

Post-funeral rituals

Post-funeral rituals in Taoist funerals are conducted to ensure the deceased’s soul transitions smoothly to the afterlife. These rituals can involve prayers, offerings, and ceremonies, often held on specific days following the funeral, such as the 7th, 49th, and 100th day. 

These rituals aim to guide the deceased’s spirit and ensure they are protected and blessed in the next life. Additionally, family members may continue to make offerings and prayers at home to honour the departed and seek blessings for the living.

Role of funeral director in Taoist Funerals

In a Taoist funeral, the funeral director plays a key role in overseeing the logistics and ensuring that the ceremony follows Taoist customs. They coordinate the transportation of the deceased, prepare the necessary ceremonial items, arrange the funeral procession, and assist with family needs. 

The director works closely with Taoist priests, ensuring that rituals and prayers are performed correctly, and also manages communication with musicians or performers for any additional cultural elements, like music or dances, during the ceremony. 

Their goal is to help create a respectful, organised event that honours the deceased. Whether you need assistance with funeral procession arrangements, altars, or ceremonial offerings, we provide tailored services to honour your loved one with respect and dignity. 

Explore our taoist funeral packages today to learn more about how we can support you in organising a meaningful and respectful farewell.