According to traditional Cantonese customs, what do you give the family at a funeral?
116772
At the wake prior to the funeral ceremony, joss paper and prayer money (to provide the deceased with sufficient income in the afterlife) are burned continuously throughout.
1024706
I went to a funeral service for a man who was cremated once.  They had the urn on a table with a nice photograph of him with it.  It was a lot like a regular funeral.
51436
Table cloths, place mats, quilts for your bed, throw blankets for your couch, lace curtains, dish cloths, towels & face cloths, sheet sets & pillow cases, a set of flatware, pot holders, a baby blanket & layette set, scented sachets (to give everything a pleasant smell), head & neck scarves, your mom's wedding dress & veil (you may want to wear it or pass it on to your children). You might want to check with your mom for more items that she would suggest. She might have items that she's been saving for your hope chest, like a copy of the family photo album, or your christening outfit. These are all acceptable. I want to commend you for carrying on this old family tradition. Many young ladies are too concerned with which guy they want to sleep with, not even planning much beyond tonight, let alone a future with one man. I hope you will keep this tradition alive in your family and pass it on to the next generation. You might want to also include a story of your family...like a family tree...but in story form. Interview older family members, writing their family stories down, passing it on to future generations. It will really help you when telling your kids family stories of their great grandma, long after she's gone. Get their stories now, before it's too late. Then, keep them in your hope chest. <*)))><
327344
what exactly do you mean??  etiquette, traditions, holidays, dancing, music...??
445085
I'm familiar with Chinese culture and traditions because they (the Chinese) are well integrated in Filipino society.  Chinese New Year is a big tradition here also and you have to prepare certain foods and your house for the coming of the New Year.  White is worn at funerals while Red is worn during traditional weddings.  Although the women are submissive, it is a matriarchal society.  Chinese men are also known to have queridas (other mistresses) on the side and it is quite common.  They are astute in business and usually put good luck items (according to feng shui) in their shops to bring in good fortune.  They cook well and it is an insult to decline food when offered or even to criticize cooking but the one who cooked will self-criticize as a sign of humility. \n\nIn the family, hierarchy is observed and this is evident in the designation given to the child in accordance with birth-order.  They are very astute in business and finance and will haggle aggressively.  They prefer that their offspring marry someone of Chinese descent and usually, traditional families will look down on a fiance/boyfriend from another race although most modern children defy their parents about this.
1069091
You don't need to bring anything to the funeral, call the funeral home or church ahead of time and find out if the family is requesting donations to anything and make a contribution if you wish.  Most likely there will be a guest book at the funeral for you to sign.  The widow isn't going to remember who all attended but later on she will look through the book.  You could send her a sympathy card in the mail, that would also be a really nice gesture, even though you don't know her, she would really like to see the impact her husband had on other people.  If you would like to say something to her personally, it would be fine, just pick an appropriate opportunity.  I've been to funerals where the family is lined up waiting for people to give their condolences and I've been to others where people gathered after to speak with the family.  It totally depends on the situation, just be considerate of the family.
551225
I've seen different things go under there. I think it depends on the traditions of where you live, or the church the person was affiliated with. \nSometimes families write a little bit about who the person was and what they loved most about them. Sometimes people list the people who were very helpful prior to the death, such as a particular hospice nurse of doctor, or family friends who were always there to lean on. Once I saw a tribute to the people who preformed at the funeral ceremony--some special singers sang a collection of Beatles tunes, which meant a lot to the family.\nI hope these suggestions help. Good luck.
620074
When this flesh dies, the flesh, a vessel made of dust from the earth, goes back to the ground where it came and the soul, our true body returns to The Father who gave it. \nCremation should be an individuals decision.  In my opinion, it all, the flesh vessel ends up in the same place, the ground.  If one, after passing can donate parts that others can use, I believe that's a wonderful gift.  Today with the cost of a funeral and burial, I see no reason not to be cremated.  That's the way I want it. Why give some funeral home all that money when ones family could use it more?  What ever your decision, your family should honor your wishes.
1040544
Flowers would be nice, but respect for the deceased, and condolescences for the family would go much farther.
956254
I am from Australia\nas this country is multi-cultural; then we do not really have any fixed customs as such.\nhowever -  some things that have usually been done here are:-\n the groom & his attendants are already in place with the celebrant when the bride enters the ceremony venue being escorted by her father. the bridal attendants would precede the bride down the aisle.\nthe couples families & other guests would then often place ""good luck charms"" ( horseshoes;hearts;shoes - made from ribbons/cardboard/crocheted; & attached to a ribbon) over the arm of the bride as she & the groom walked back down the aisle.\nas the emerged from the church - the assembled guest would throw confetti over the couple ( this has been replaced by flower petals/bird seed/bubbles)\nat thestart of the reception - all the guests are assembled at their tables & the couple "announced" as they enter the room\nat the end of the reception the guests would form an arch of linked hands for the couple to walk under & every one hugs/kisses them as they leave\nask how her parents conducted their wedding.\nif you have any "australiana stores in your area you may be able to purchase things that you could use a favours or decorations\nmany brides also use the verse \n"something old; 'something new; something borrowed ; something blue; & a sixpence in your shoe: \nwhen putting their outfits together- all the items are meant for good luck \n the something old can be a grandmothers brooch pinned on or into the dress; \nmail me if I can be of further help
787445
Give respect and cook nicely to your in-law's taste.
842107
I would call the executor of my will andtell him to prepare the death certificates & notify the beneficiaries.  I'd call the funeral parlor to prepare. \n\nI would pray & repent day & night & beseech God for mercy  & forgiveness of my sins.  I would make my best confession of sins to an Orthodox Priest & receive the Holy Mysteries after absolution.  I would pay the priest to offer memorial liturgies for 30 days after my demise.  I would ask him to offer the divine Liturgy to expiate my sins. Nothing else matters at all.  I would spend the week kneeling before the Icons of Jesus & Mary to beg their mercy & help.  I want to die right near the holy icon of my Supreme Lord Jesus christ & His Holy Mother.  I don't want to party with friends.  I want to prepare for the journey to God's kingdom.   Nothing in this world matters any longer at that time.
316305
I've never heard of a semi-informal party. But since isn't strictly a social event (because it's being held by your partner organization), I suggest you not bring any gift. It's not clear if there is a "real" host or hostess as there would be in a purely social event. And customs can vary widely from culture to culture. Rather than risk offending someone, go empty-handed. (And definitely do NOT bring dessert or any other food! You would only do that if the host or hostess was a really close personal friend and you had arranged beforehand to bring food. Otherwise, it's a breach of etiquette -- at least in the U.S.)
170694
Swaming???\nWake???\nDoes this mean you like funerals?????
1063300
I would spend as much time with my family and friends (in that order) as I could.  I would take a lot of day trips with my family.  Make sure my dog would be loved and cared for when I was gone.   Make sure all my death details (cremation, disposal of ashes, funeral, bills, etc) were taken care of so my family would not have to worry about it.  I would sell my car and give the money to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  I would make sure I told everyone I love that I do love them.  I would draw a lot of pictures, do a lot of crafts and write a lot of poems for my family to remember me by.  I would make certain that my ashes were late for the funeral so I can say in the afterlife that I really was late for my own funeral (after being on time for everything else) (yes I really do intend to do that).  I would have a really big party with all of my friends and family.  When the day came, I would have my family (including the dog) around, remember the good times, and leave this life in comfortable familiar surroundings at home, surrounded by those I love most.
905332
Gifts\nGift giving is very important both business and personal situations \nStyle is everything. The gift itself is of little importance, the ceremony surrounding it is what matters. \nAlways wrap gifts. And choose the paper carefully, don’t give anything wrapped in white as it symbolizes death. Don’t use bright colours or bows to wrap the gift either. It is better to have the place you bought the gift to warp it to ensure that it is appropriate. \nGive your host some warning during the evening that you intend to give them a present. Don’t surprise your host. \nGive the gift with both hands and accept gifts with both hands. \nGenerally, gifts will not be opened while you are there. If your host insist that you open the gift they have given you, do so carefully. They take pride in gift wrapping, show that you appreciate the effort. \nDo not give gifts in odd numbers or the number four, odd numbers are bad luck and four sounds like the word for death in Japanese. \nGifts should be given at the end of a visit. \nDo not admire anything belonging to your host too closely. The Japanese love to please so you may end up taking it home as a gift. \nGood gift ideas are top choice beef, fruit and alcohol such as brandy, quality whiskey and wine \n\nGestures\nAvoid using large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions and any dramatic movements. The Japanese do not talk with their hands and to do so could distract your host. \nThe "OK" sign; in Japan it means money. Avoid using it \nDon’t point …or blow your nose in public \nDon’t crowd people or stand too close. Because the Japanese live in such a densely populated area, they value their personal space. \nA smile can have double meaning. It can express either joy or displeasure. Use caution with your facial expressions. They can be easily misunderstood. \n\n\nWhen meeting anyone in a business environment for the first time, it is customary to exchange "meishi" (business cards). You  should always present yours to the receiver using both hands to hold onto the corners as you pass it forward, stating your name and company as you do so. On receiving a person's meishi, accept it with both hands and then study carefully what is written on it. Very often business cards will have Japanese on one side and English on the reverse, so you should be able to understand what is written. If you are in a formal situation, it is proper to place the meishi face up on the table in front of you and refer to it as necessary. If it is in a less formal setting you may put the meishi away after looking at it, but please ensure to put it somewhere suitable. Just dropping it into a pocket maybe seen as rude.\n\nWhen visiting the office of a business associate, you will probably be shown into a meeting room and asked to wait. Most meeting rooms will consist of four or more chairs set around a table. As the honored guest it is important that you take the seat furthest from the door (although that maybe modified if it is a big conference style room) and you should stand up and bow or shakes hands when someone comes in the room. When receiving guests you would reverse the process, with you sitting on the side closest to the door, with the senior member of your party furthest from the door on your side. This "furthest from the door" approach also applies in most other situations, including restaurants, bars, taxis etc etc.\n\nWithin your own office life can be somewhat more relaxed although a certain amount of ceremony, involving lots of bowing and scurrying around, will be observed when senior managers are present. Generally though a nod of recognition is fine for those you work with, perhaps together with a comment on the weather or a similar subject. On arriving at your office in the morning a loudly spoken "ohaiyo gozaimasu" or "Good morning" should suffice with an equally loud "osaki ni shitsure shimasu" (literally "excuse my rudene
215581
Bring wine for the father and get something else for the mom like a box of chocolates or something.  Nothing too personal but a token gift. If you bring flowers for the mom, she'll be charmed.