Hue City recently issued a regulation promoting civilized practices in funeral organization within its jurisdiction. This regulation stipulates that a funeral must not exceed 72 hours from the time of death to the burial or cremation, except for special cases decided by the chairman of the commune-level People's Committee.

On 14/7, Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of Hue City, explained that in Hue's cultural life, funerals are among the most important ceremonies for families. Many still believe in organizing elaborate, multi-day ceremonies to allow relatives from near and far enough time to return and mourn. Numerous funerals last four or five days, or even longer if waiting for distant relatives, leading to significant costs for families and disrupting local community life.

The 72-hour funeral regulation is a balanced solution, ensuring traditional rituals are observed while promoting a civilized lifestyle. Three days are sufficient for family, relatives, and friends to offer condolences and perform customary rites, while also limiting unnecessary expenses and reducing disruption to residential areas.

A Hue family takes the deceased for burial. Photo: Vo Thanh

According to Mr. Giang, the regulation does not intend to change traditional values or diminish the solemnity of farewells to the deceased. Its primary goal is to foster a civilized, economical way of life, aligning with current social conditions, and gradually eliminate outdated customs and practices.

With today's convenient transportation, travel between localities or from abroad to Vietnam is much faster than before. "Therefore, the need for multi-day funerals, as was common decades ago, is no longer appropriate," Mr. Giang stated.

This is not the first time Hue City has implemented regulations to modify funeral customs. Years ago, the locality advocated against scattering votive paper on the funeral procession route. Initially, this regulation faced concerns due to its connection to a long-standing custom. However, thanks to public awareness campaigns by authorities and mass organizations, along with community consensus, the practice of scattering votive paper has significantly decreased.

"The regulation on organizing funerals not exceeding 72 hours should be viewed in the same spirit. What truly matters is not how many days a funeral lasts or how grand it is, but the sincerity, filial piety, and the way descendants remember the deceased," Mr. Giang shared.

When asked about penalties for violations, Mr. Giang stated that for now, commune and ward authorities are tasked with encouraging residents to comply with the regulation, and penalties are not currently being considered.

In addition to the funeral duration regulation, to reduce land burial and costly tomb construction, Hue City authorities are encouraging cremation. Under a newly issued policy, from now until 2030, Hue City will cover 100% of cremation costs based on the prices set by cremation service providers.

With this new policy, Hue City leaders expect to curb land burial and large-scale tomb construction, thereby saving land resources and promoting environmental protection. For many years, the locality has planned centralized public cemeteries to limit spontaneous land burials.

Vo Thanh