Reburial Rituals

According to the belief in northern Vietnam, cremating bodies would cause their loved ones to feel “heat” in the afterlife, while temporary burial would allow their bodies to decompose coolly and naturally in a temporary house. After decomposition was complete through the period of 3 years, any remains of bodily flesh will be removed, and all the bones will be carefully collected. Then these bones will be reburial in the permanent houses nearby other family members. Thus, placing one’s ancestors bones together in one place insures that the larger family will be near each other in the afterlife. The role of the oldest son with respect to reburial is curial. He is responsible for cleaning the skull of the deceased, considered the most valuable part of a skeleton. Younger brothers will be in charge of cleaning other parts of the skeleton. If the bones are damaged in any way, great misfortune is expected to befall the family.