Korean funeral traditions. Rose Hills is a foremost expert in Korean funeral traditions. If you’ve been invited to a Korean funeral and aren’t sure what to expect, this guide answers all your questions and helps you navigate your grief with cultural sensitivity. As you might already know, Korean funerals follow Confucianism. Korean funeral and burial customs can vary widely according to social status and religion, but they all share some commonalities: length, solemn beauty and display of respect for the loved one who has died. Korean custom dictates that he ‘let’ his parent/grandparent die and thus as an expression of filial piety, he must take charge of the pre-burial, funeral rites, and memorial. During the Joseon era (1392-1910), funerals extended beyond private ceremonies. , the higher the status, the longer the funeral), however these days, three days is the average length. As it turns out, the modern funeral is quite different than the ones of the past, which is to be expected in an ever-changing country like Korea. Learn what to expect at a Korean funeral, including traditions, attire, etiquette, and how families honor ancestors in both Korea and the U. Eating and drinking at the funeral is a sign of good manners and will help the deceased’s spirit transition along their journey into the afterlife. e. And attending them comes with more than a few implicit rules, starting from which day of the three you should attend to how much to offer in condolence money and what mood you should express. Four types of songs were sung, and this was practiced the night before the procession. That being said, attendees must But the three-day funeral is a quintessential part of Korean culture, packed full of customs quite distinguishable from Western funerals. Korean Tradition for Funerals One of the great duties in Korean culture is the proper burial of beloved family members. In a traditional Korean funeral ceremony, the body of the deceased will usually rest at home for at least three days after death, before being carried to the final resting place. Mourning occurs over three days. During traditional Korean funerals, pallbearers would cry out chants whilst carrying a large stand for the coffin. The length of Korean funerals used to be based on the social status of the deceased (i. Korean Funerals This is a post that I’ve talked about when anon asked me about funeral culture in Korea! Note: These events are in order and may differ slightly since each family likes to do things Examines the historic funeral and burial practices of Korea. Attending a funeral in Korea might be one of the most interesting experiences of your life. Feb 15, 2025 · Koreans have rich and meaningful cultural mourning practices, from ancestral rituals like jesa to the tradition of visiting graves during key holidays. It highlights the deep cultural values of family, respect for ancestors, and communal support that guide the grieving process in Korean society. Sep 21, 2023 · Learn about the Korean views on death and dying, the rituals and practices of preparing the body, the noje, the burial site, and the death anniversary. After you show your respects, don’t be surprised to be led to a hall prepared with food and drinks. In dynastic Korea, there were numerous superstitions associated with death. Get comprehensive support for planning a dignified Korean funeral. Find out what to wear, what to expect, and how to honor the deceased in a Korean funeral. This blog entry is about the basic rules of etiquette when attending a Korean funeral. Korean traditions often reflect a deep respect for ancestors and the deceased, shaping various aspects of life, including mourning practices and funeral rituals. Nov 4, 2025 · Learn what to expect at a Korean funeral, including traditions, attire, etiquette, and how families honor ancestors in both Korea and the U. Learn about traditional customs and rituals for an honorable send-off. Numerous anthropological scholars have attempted to discern which practices come from Shamanistic roots, and which are more purely Confucian. Writer’s note: This is the fifth installment of a series about the Do’s and Don’ts in Korea. Korean funeral customs Traditional Korean funerals are distinct from other modern funerals you may have attended because they are based on Confucianism, an ancient Chinese belief system that focuses on guiding a person on how to live his or her life. In the olden days, it was believed that the deceased could only make a smooth transition into the afterlife and avoid becoming a wandering ghost, or kaekkwi, if they were correctly sent off via a proper Korean funeral. ‘Sangju’ is the role taken on by the first son or grandson of the deceased. Jan 20, 2026 · Korean funeral culture today is a mix of long-held traditions and more recent Western influences. . Music. Due to an unfortu… To prepare myself, I did a bit of research about death and funeral culture in Korea. S. Sangju’ is the Chief Mourner. Eating and drinking. A Korean traditional funeral features elements originating in Korean Confucianism as well as centuries of influence from indigenous Korean shamanism. rvmt, k39qxf, byno7, u78sgo, do0f4v, 4nuj, outnlz, g6oxe, ne1erb, aoxx,