State Funeral: What is it, which positions are honored, and which activities are prohibited?
What is a National Funeral?
A national funeral is an important political and cultural event that usually takes place after the death of a head of state or another significant figure. This is an occasion to remember and honor the life and achievements of the deceased while also expressing the respect and affection of the people for the person who has passed away.
National funerals typically include activities and events such as:
- Funeral and memorial service: This is the important part of the national funeral, usually held at sacred places such as temples, funeral homes, or where the head of state is buried. The funeral may include honor ceremonies, farewells, and prayers.
- Visits and lying in state: Citizens and international delegates may be invited to visit the lying in state or funeral service at the place where the head of state rests. This is an opportunity for everyone to honor and remember the deceased.
- Procession of the casket: In some cases, the casket of the head of state may be carried from the place of death to the burial place. This is an important public event, often attended by thousands of people.
- Memorial services across the nation: In some cases, the head of state may be moved through various cities and important locations before being buried. This allows people from different regions the opportunity to honor the deceased.
- Cultural and religious events: National funerals often include cultural and religious events such as art exhibitions, concerts, prayer services, or other commemorative activities.
Depending on the culture and traditions of each country, national funerals may be organized in various ways. However, the main aim of a national funeral is to honor, remember, and provide an occasion for the whole country to share in the grief and respect for the deceased.
In Vietnam, the organization of National Funerals is conducted in accordance with Decree 105/2012/ND-CP, which regulates the organization of funerals for officials and public employees who are working or retired when they pass away.
The principles for organizing funerals in general and National Funerals in particular in Vietnam are:
- Reflecting the respect of the Communist Party, State, and people, as well as agencies and units for the contributions and sacrifices of officials and public employees during their work, revolutionary activities, and in building and protecting the country.
- The organization of funerals for the deceased must be dignified and civilized, inheriting the traditional cultural beauty of the nation, economically fit for the country's socio-economic conditions and those of various regions. There should be a limitation and gradual elimination of outdated, superstitious, ostentatious, and wasteful practices, encouraging cremation, electric cremation, or burial in their homeland.
What is a National Funeral? Which titles are honored with a National Funeral? What activities are prohibited during a National Funeral? (Image from the Internet)
Which titles are honored with a National Funeral in Vietnam?
Based on Article 5 of Decree 105/2012/ND-CP, the titles honored with a National Funeral are as follows:
National Funeral Honored Titles
- Officials holding or having held the following posts upon their death are honored with a National Funeral:
a) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party;
b) President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;
c) Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam;
d) Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
- The Politburo decides the organization of the National Funeral for other senior officials who have made significant contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Communist Party, the State and the people, and who have high prestige both domestically and internationally.
Thus, the titles honored with a National Funeral include:
[1] Officials holding or having held the following posts upon their death:
- General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party;
- President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;
- Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam;
- Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
[2] The Politburo decides the organization of the National Funeral for other senior officials who have made significant contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Communist Party, the State, and the people, and who have high prestige both domestically and internationally.
What activities are prohibited during a National Funeral?
Based on Article 10 of Decree 105/2012/ND-CP, the regulations on the time and rites of mourning are as follows:
Time and Rites of Mourning
The duration for organizing a National Funeral is 02 (two) days. During this time, agencies and offices nationwide, as well as the representative offices of Vietnam abroad, raise the national flag at half-mast with a mourning band (the band should be 1/10 the width of the flag, along the entire length of the flag, and the flag should be flown at 2/3 the height of the flagpole, using black fabric to secure the flag so it does not flutter), and public entertainment and recreational activities are not to be conducted.
Through the above regulations, the National Funeral is organized within 02 days. During this time, organizations and individuals are prohibited from conducting public entertainment and recreational activities. Furthermore, agencies and offices nationwide and Vietnamese representative offices abroad should fly the national flag at half-mast with a mourning band.
