Beliefs, rituals and customs around death and dying Funeral traditions are observed strictly and not doing so is thought to bring bad luck on the family. Before the funeral, the family may contact a feng shui master to choose an auspicious time for the funeral and burial, and where possible a suitable site for burial or scattering of ashes. Funerals and other ceremonies Chinese funeral traditions and practices vary greatly according to the family’s religion, where their family origins are in China, the cause of death, and the age of the person who has died; a funeral for a child is likely to be very different to that of a grandparent or other older family member. The funeral usually takes place over seven days and there may be a formal ceremony on the seventh night after the death. The funeral starts with an event known as a shou ling. Family members take it in turns to sit with the person who has died. The person will be dressed in their best clothes or a traditional white...