Death Customs
Death Customs articles and guides
Ancestor Worship: The Living Relationship with the Dead
Incense, food offerings, and family altars — the daily practice that keeps Chinese families connected across generations.
Chinese Funerals: A Complete Guide to Death Customs and Rituals
White clothing, paper money, and the number seven — understanding the elaborate customs that honor the Chinese dead.
Qingming Festival: When China Visits Its Dead
The annual tomb-sweeping holiday that brings millions of Chinese families to their ancestors' graves — tradition, food, and remembrance.
Chinese Death Customs That Surprise Westerners
Professional mourners, spirit money, hell bank notes with denominations in the billions — Chinese funeral traditions are practical, elaborate, and occasionally surreal.
Joss Paper: Burning Money for the Dead
Every year, billions of dollars in fake currency go up in smoke across the Chinese-speaking world. The practice is ancient, surprisingly logical, and not going away anytime soon.