Why are Vietnamese graves above ground?

David Biggs, professor of Southeast Asian and environmental history at the University of California-Riverside, told me that: 'This practice is very common in the Mekong Delta where families used to have more land, and buried deceased relatives in above-ground tombs like in New Orleans because of the high water table.

Do Vietnamese bury their dead above-ground?

Each successive wave of deep public grieving takes the deceased a little farther away from the living; from lying as if a asleep on a cot among family, to being put away in a closed coffin- a symbol of the deceased, to being buried under ground, separated from the family by layers of dirt, and finally, being left ...

Why do they have above-ground graves?

Above-ground burials are truly the only dry form of burial and are also the cleanest. They are especially useful on high-prone flood areas as they are kept at a higher level with concrete material. During rainy or colder seasons, families can comfortably visit their loved ones under a protected roof.

What is the Vietnamese tradition when someone dies?

Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events and involve several elaborate rituals. Families create an altar featuring offerings and a portrait of the deceased. They often keep their loved one at home after their death for anywhere ranging from three days to a month.

Why are you not supposed to walk on graves?

Stepping on a grave is considered bad luck in many cultures and traditions. This belief often stems from a respect for the deceased and the idea that disturbing a grave is disrespectful. Some people think it could anger the spirits of the dead or bring misfortune.

7 interesting things about funerals in Vietnam 🇻🇳

Why shouldn't you go to a cemetery at night?

Many cemeteries are closed from dusk to dawn, but this isn't to keep visitors from being cursed — it's to protect them and the grounds from vandalism or harm.

Do bodies get removed from graves?

Grave recycling also refers to the process of exhuming bodies from graves and burying new ones in that cemetery plot. The exhumed remains are then: placed in a mass grave or a common ossuary; boxed and placed in a different part of the cemetery; or cremated and returned to family (Ferraz, July 18, 2018).

Why are there graves in fields in Vietnam?

Altogether, the different theories I heard included: to keep land within the family; to protect coffins and bodies from destruction by flooding in areas with high water tables; to avoid travelling to bury the body during the Vietnam War; to protect the body; to allow ancestral spirits to be close to their living ...

What not to do at a Vietnamese funeral?

What are some Vietnamese superstitions?

Similarly, pointing at the moon or whistling at night is considered unlucky, as it is believed to attract evil spirits. These taboos stem from a desire to preserve harmony, ward off negative energy, and ensure good luck. By adhering to these beliefs, Vietnamese people seek to maintain balance in their lives.

Why are graves buried 6 feet deep?

People may have also buried bodies 6 feet deep to help prevent theft. There was also concern that animals might disturb graves. Burying a body 6 feet deep may have been a way to stop animals from smelling the decomposing bodies. A body buried 6 feet deep would also be safe from accidental disturbances like plowing.

What is it called when a grave is above ground?

The two main types of above-ground interment are mausoleums and columbariums. A mausoleum is a permanent, free-standing structure designed to contain a full casket. Mausoleums range in size, style, and appearance to accommodate single caskets or multiple caskets.

Why is it okay to dig up ancient graves?

Archaeologists argue that digging up these ancient burial sites is a preemptive rescue. Without their intervention, many of these sites could fall prey to looters (as they often do) or decay into obscurity under the relentless march of modern development.

What do Vietnamese people believe happens after death?

In general, the Vietnamese believe that people after death will live forever with the presence of an immortal soul through the system of graves containing remains and bones [Toan Ánh 2005; Phan Kế Bính 2005; Vu Hong Van, Nguyen Trong Long 2019].

What do Buddhists do when someone dies?

Theravada Buddhists usually cremate the dead person, following the example of Gautama Buddha, but the person may also be buried. Family members usually help during the ceremony by carrying the person and lifting them up, which marks the final stage of the funeral.

How do Asians bury their dead?

For burials, the coffin is lowered into the ground, with two lighted candles, a pair of joss sticks, and a simple offering placed by the grave. After the burial, the eldest son carries the joss urn home, and the second son or eldest grandson carries the photograph of the deceased.

What are the Vietnamese traditions for death?

Post-funeral traditions in Vietnam extend the mourning and remembrance process. The family observes a mourning period, traditionally lasting from 49 to 100 days, during which they abstain from certain activities and wear mourning attire. Rituals are performed on the 49th and 100th days to aid the soul's progress.

What colors not to wear to a Vietnamese tea ceremony?

Therefore, avoid wearing something similar to what the bride will wear and try not to choose white, red, and pastel colors. Purple florals represent sadness, and white florals represent funerals and death, so they are a big no for wedding guests.

What is the color of mourning in Vietnamese?

White: Purity and Mourning

In fact, Vietnamese color symbolism assigns white to mourning and funerals. Family members of the deceased wear white clothing, including “khan tang” (mourning headbands), to express their grief.

Do they cremate bodies in Vietnam?

Although Buddhists usually cremate their dead in Vietnam it is more traditional to be buried. One tradition central to Vietnamese life (and death) is geomancy (feng shui) and the position of the grave is very important for family fortunes – if the wrong spot is chosen bad luck may descend on the family.

What country has the most graves?

Wadi-us-Salaam is an Islamic cemetery, located in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. It is the largest cemetery in the world. The cemetery covers 1,485.5 acres (601.16 ha; 6.01 km²; 2.32 sq mi) and contains more than 6 million bodies. It also attracts millions of pilgrims annually.

Why do we bury the dead 6ft under?

To Protect the Corpse from Being Stolen. Snatching dead bodies was common in many parts of England and Scotland in the early 1800s. Therefore, graves were always dug six feet deep to prevent body snatchers from gaining access to the buried remains.

What happens to a buried body after 5 years?

For those who are embalmed and buried in a coffin, five to 10 years is a more typical decomposition timeline, he said. At that point, the tissue is gone and only bones remain. The quality of the embalming job also plays a role, Wescott said.

Why are hands crossed in caskets?

“Burials may be placed in a number of different positions. Bodies with the arms crossed date back to ancient cultures such as Chaldea in the 10th century BC, where the "X" symbolized their sky god.