How Do Chinese Dialect Groups Arrange Funerals? Hakka, Teochew, Cantonese, Hokkien, Henghua and Foochow Practices

Most Chinese funerals in Malaysia blend Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist traditions with folk belief, and the basic sequence is similar across dialect groups. Where practices differ, it is usually in the number of wake nights, the kinds of rites held, when rites such as po di yu (破地狱, “breaking hell’s gates”) take place, and which dialect tradition the priests follow. Even within one dialect group, practice differs between the north, the Klang Valley, the East Coast and individual families, so the examples below are simply what local media and researchers have recorded, offered for reference rather than as rules.

What is shared, and what differs, across dialect groups?

The basic framework is similar across dialect groups; differences tend to lie in the details. Knowing this can make planning conversations within the family easier.

A shared framework

Whatever the dialect group, encoffining, the wake (zuo ye, 坐夜, sitting vigil), the funeral procession, and later observances such as the seven-day prayers, the 100th day and the first anniversary are common to many families. Singapore’s National Heritage Board notes that many Taoist rites are performed in dialect because early migrants brought regional traditions with them; Malaysian funeral providers likewise arrange Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien or other Taoist rites according to each family’s choice.

Some customs are tied to place rather than dialect group. Mai shui (买水), fetching water from a river or stream to wash the deceased, has become rare elsewhere, but a news report notes that some families in Pahang still keep it.

Differences lie in the details

Differences mentioned in local reports include:

• the number of wake nights and how visiting relatives and friends are hosted;
• the kinds of rites, how long they run and how many priests take part;
• which families hold rites such as po di yu, “crossing the bridge” (过桥) or qian zang (牵藏), and when;
• how the funeral date is chosen, and what later observances are called.

These differences often vary within a single dialect group too, depending on region, religion, family circumstances and the wishes of the departed.

How many nights is the wake, and does it differ by dialect group?

Many Malaysian families today hold a wake of about three to five days; in earlier decades the length varied with dialect group and family circumstances.

According to field records by folk-custom researcher Lee Eng Kew (李永球), in earlier times some Cantonese and Hakka families held a one-day, one-night wake, with the funeral the next day; some Hokkien families held three days and two nights; and some families held five to seven days. The researcher attributes the shorter wakes of that era mainly to economic conditions at the time. After the economy improved in the 1980s, most families held at least three days and two nights, and five days became common in both the northern and southern states; a funeral operator says three days and two nights is usual around Kuala Lumpur.

Each dialect group once had its own customs for hosting those who sat vigil. As living standards rose, families of every dialect group now commonly serve food to visiting relatives and friends.

How do rites and po di yu differ?

Po di yu is a Taoist funeral rite traditionally meant to help the departed leave suffering behind; dialect groups differ in how and when it is held.

According to the National Heritage Board, po di yu was traditionally performed for people who died untimely or unnatural deaths. Lee Eng Kew also notes that some Cantonese and Hakka families once made a calculation before deciding whether to hold it, while in recent years it is more often held regardless. The number of priests depends on the rites chosen; local reports mention anywhere from a few to around ten.

The table draws on reports and researchers in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore and elsewhere; for arrangements in Kuantan and Pahang, associations and funeral staff can advise further.

Some Hakka family practices

A funeral operator interviewed by a local paper said some Hakka families hold po di yu during the funeral itself. Another rite, da yao shi, expresses the wish that the departed no longer needs to take medicine; when the departed is a mother, some families hold bai xue pen to give thanks for the care of pregnancy and birth. He added that chanting once ran from evening until dawn, and now usually ends around 11pm.

Some Teochew family practices

Teochew drum and gong music is a musical tradition in Teochew Taoist funerals. According to Teochew folk-custom material, merit-making rites were once held after burial; today most families hold them on the last night of the wake, some over two or three nights, and some families choose the 49th day, the first anniversary or the third year instead.

Some Cantonese family practices

The National Heritage Board notes that po di yu is most associated with Cantonese funerals. Some Cantonese families hold it during the seven-day prayers, with a few roof tiles standing for the city gates, which the priest strikes with a staff. Reports also describe “crossing the bridge” in Cantonese and Hakka funerals, where a small wooden bridge symbolises leading the departed across the bridge to the afterlife.

Some Hokkien family practices

Some Hokkien families hold po di yu during merit-making rites, using paper gates. Another rite, qian zang, is traditionally held for relatives who died in accidents, with tiers of paper symbolising the departed rising out of suffering. Hokkien families commonly call the first anniversary dui nian, and some prefer an odd-numbered date for the funeral.

What about Henghua and Foochow families?

Henghua and Foochow families each have their own traditions, but published, verifiable local sources are few, so elders in the associations can guide families on the details.

Henghua (兴化, from Putian) families speak Puxian Min, and Foochow (福州) families speak Eastern Min. Although both come from Fujian province, they have language and customs distinct from those usually called “Hokkien” (southern Min). This column has not found enough local sources to generalise, so we leave the details to the elders of the Kuantan Hin Ann (Henghua) Association and the Pahang Foochow Association.

What if parents come from different dialect groups or faiths?

There is no single rule; each family decides what suits it.

The National Heritage Board notes that with urbanisation and more mixed-faith households, many rites have been adapted to family circumstances. In Malaysia, some families follow the departed’s own dialect group and religion, some blend the practices both sides of the family know, and others hold a Buddhist, Christian or other religious funeral following that faith’s own order of service. Funeral providers generally begin by learning the family’s wishes, including religion, dialect group, wake venue and scale.

Practical tips: how can families talk it through?

The details of dialect-group custom often live in the memories of elders. A few steps for reference:

1. Ask the elders first: “How does our family do it?” This helps especially when parents come from different dialect groups.
2. Remember the departed’s wishes: some elders say in advance which rites or religion they would like.
3. Tell the funeral staff your dialect group and religion, so suitable priests and rites can be arranged.
4. Consult the clan or dialect association, whose elders often know their community’s customs well.
5. Write down what the family agrees: the number of wake nights, which rites, and the funeral date. Agreeing early helps avoid misunderstandings.

In summary: the same care behind every difference

Each dialect group has its own heritage, and practice varies within every group by region and family; the examples here are partial records, not a standard.

In 2026, FLS (福禄寿) Kuantan signed memorandums of understanding with several Kuantan clan and dialect associations, whose elders know the details of each community’s customs best. Whatever form a farewell takes, it carries the same love and respect for the person being remembered.

This article is from the FLS (福禄寿) Kuantan Life Education Column. More at flsgroup.com.my

Quick answers

How do Hakka, Teochew, Cantonese and Hokkien funerals differ?

The basic sequence is similar; differences are mostly in the number of wake nights, the kinds of rites, and when po di yu (“breaking hell’s gates”) is held. Local reports say some Hakka families hold it during the funeral, some Cantonese families during the seven-day prayers, and some Hokkien families during merit-making rites. Practice also varies within each dialect group.

Which dialect groups hold po di yu?

Po di yu is a Taoist funeral rite seen among many Cantonese, Hakka and Hokkien families, each in its own way. Some Hokkien families use paper gates, while some Cantonese families use roof tiles that the priest strikes with a staff. Timing differs too, so families in Kuantan often tell the funeral staff their dialect group so suitable priests can be arranged.

Are Henghua and Foochow funerals the same as Hokkien funerals?

Each has its own traditions. Henghua families speak Puxian Min and Foochow families speak Eastern Min, with customs distinct from southern Min Hokkien families. Published local sources are few, so families in Kuantan may wish to ask the Kuantan Hin Ann (Henghua) Association or the Pahang Foochow Association.

How do families arrange a funeral when parents come from different dialect groups?

There is no single rule, and each family decides what suits it. Some follow the departed’s own dialect group and religion, while others blend the customs both sides of the family know. Many families discuss it early with elders and tell the funeral staff, so suitable priests and rites can be arranged.