Manifestation of Indigenous Culture in the Funeral Rites of Vietnamese Catholics Emigrating in 1954 in Loc Hoa Parish, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam

Abstract

After the Second Vatican Council, the funeral rites of the Vietnamese Catholic has traditional rites apart from Catholicism one. Catholicism rituals take place mainly in church and cemetery spaces. Rituals in Vietnamese tradition mainly take place in the family space. Funeral rites show that rituals in the church and cemetery spaces in accordance with the rules of Rome Church but still contain the imprint of the local culture of Vietnamese’s conceptions and lifestyle. The rituals that take place at the home are boldly influenced by folk beliefs as well as filial piety in the mindset and actions of believers. Those show that the funeral is a place to express the images of indigenous culture in the ritual of Vietnamese Catholics.