Begin by contacting the temple or Buddhist monastic familiar with the deceased. Agree the chanting, number of officiants, timing and family participation; prepare the memorial tablet and offerings according to the officiant's and venue's requirements.
Appoint the officiant and family contacts
Ask the temple or a familiar monastic who will lead the service and how many others will assist. There is no number that applies to every funeral: staffing, venue arrangements and the agreed chanting determine what is appropriate.
One relative can liaise with the temple and another gather the funeral parlour details. Both sides must confirm the same date and room. Use the table to assign responsibility for people and items.
| Item | Confirm with | Details to record |
|---|---|---|
| Principal and assisting monastics | Temple or principal officiant | Number, names and titles, meeting time and contacts. |
| Chanting | Officiant | Scriptures, whether relatives may join and duration of each part. |
| Lotus memorial tablet | Officiant and venue | Deceased's name, inscription, dimensions and position. |
| Flowers, water and other offerings | Officiant and funeral parlour | Permitted items, placement and who will bring them. |
The related guide to Taoist funerals describes the broad sequence from wake to departure. Buddhist religious arrangements should follow the Buddhist officiant's own guidance.
Agree the chanting sessions and number of monastics
Explain the available room hours, how relatives wish to participate and whether older people can sit comfortably for extended periods. Ask the officiant to propose sessions, approximate durations and any chanting by relatives, then arrange attendance accordingly.
Do not infer the number of monastics from the number of guests or combine programmes from different temples. If the officiant cannot attend at the planned time, the family contact should notify both the venue and relatives and reconfirm the schedule.
- Record the names and telephone numbers of the principal officiant and assistants.
- Ask for the scriptures and expected duration of each session.
- Check arrival and departure against the room booking.
- Ask whether relatives may chant along or pay respects quietly.
Ritual instruments, memorial tablets and offerings
The family should check the deceased's name and form of address on the lotus memorial tablet; the officiant should confirm the wording and the parlour its dimensions and position. Ask the officiant and venue to agree which ritual instruments are needed, who brings them and where they go.
Before bringing flowers, water or vegetarian food, ask whether the temple requires them and the venue permits them. Buddhist groups have different practices, so one family's list is not a universal requirement.
- Check the tablet's name, wording, size and delivery time.
- Confirm the instruments and who will bring them.
- Ask whether flowers, water or vegetarian food are needed.
- Check where items may be placed and when they must be removed.
- Assign one relative to collect personal prayer books or keepsakes afterwards.
Family example and printable chanting checklist
Ms So's father regularly attended the same temple. She contacts it about the number of monastics and chanting times, while her brother checks the name on the memorial tablet. They pass the temple's requirements to the parlour to confirm where offerings can be placed, rather than buying unconfirmed items.
The relative liaising with the temple can print and complete this checklist. Leave unconfirmed details blank until the officiant and venue respond.
- Temple, principal officiant and telephone: __________.
- Number of monastics and arrival time: __________.
- Scriptures, sessions and family participation: __________.
- Memorial tablet name, size and position: __________.
- Flowers, water and vegetarian food required: __________.
- Venue contact confirming offerings and instruments: __________.
Frequently asked questions
Ask separately about staffing, chanting sessions and offerings. Confirm the officiant and timing first, then the tablet and offerings, and have one contact communicate changes.
Is a fixed number of monastics required?
No number applies to every temple. Ask the principal officiant to propose arrangements based on the chanting, room booking and available personnel, then confirm them as a family.
Can relatives choose the scriptures themselves?
Explain the deceased's wishes or the traditions of their temple. The officiant should confirm suitable scriptures, timing and family participation.
Who checks the name on the memorial tablet?
The family supplies the name and form of address, the officiant confirms the inscription, and the maker and parlour confirm the size and placement.
Must every specified type of offering be purchased?
Requirements vary between temples and venues. Check before bringing flowers, water or vegetarian food to avoid buying items that are not needed.
Related guides
- Taoist funerals: the wake, chanting, farewell and departure
- Comparing Kowloon Funeral Parlours: Room Capacity, Rental Periods and Access
- Funeral Hall Decoration: Portraits, Floral Tributes and Inscriptions
- Attending a funeral: arrival times, clothing and practical etiquette
Contact Tim Fat Funeral
For help organising the next steps, contact Tim Fat Funeral on our 24-hour telephone 8209 9774 or WhatsApp 6238 4028. Share the family's wishes and confirmed arrangements so we can help coordinate the practical details. Religious rites should be agreed with the officiant; family and regional customs may differ.