Funeral Etiquette and Customs

• Predominantly dark-colored clothing: Generally black, dark blue, dark gray are the main colors, avoid bright colors.
• Avoid flashy jewelry: Do not wear shiny accessories and avoid heavy makeup.
• Men: Dark shirt, trousers, leather shoes.
• Ms.: Dark top, long skirt or trousers.
• Elders’ vigil: Sometimes white flowers and filial piety ribbons are provided, as arranged by the museum.

Greetings to family members should be concise and calm to avoid causing stress or secondary harm.

• "Sorrows and resignation"(most commonly used and safest)
• "Please take care of yourself"
• "If you want to help, call me."
• Avoid questions that trigger emotions such as: "Explanation", "How to proceed", "What did he say in the end"?

• Signing on site: Generally, a signature book/electronic sign-in is set up at the entrance.
• Offering incense/Bowing: According to religious/non-religious rituals, bowing can be used instead of offering incense.
• Bow to the deceased photo: Usually three bows or one bow, depending on religion.
• Condolences to the family: A short greeting is enough to avoid staying too long.
• Pay tribute to the location of flower stands / flower baskets: Usually arranged by the library, no need to choose by yourself.

• Keep quiet during the ceremony: No noise, no group photos at the door.
• Sending souls along with you: Follow the team and keep the pace.
• Do not turn on the ringtone: Avoid disturbing the ritual.
• Live streaming/loud talking is prohibited
• Flowers/ condolence couplets will be handled by the museum

Three common forms of funerals in Hong Kong:

• Non-religious (most common)
  Just bow quietly, no need to burn incense or chant sutras.
• Christianity/Catholicism
  No incense, no sacrifices, no burning of incense; mainly prayers and songs.
• Traditional Chinese
  Offering incense, kneeling down, three bows, Taoist/Buddhist rituals depend on family arrangements.