[Beginner's Guide] Funeral etiquette guide | How to write the envelope and the basics
Introduction
Money envelopes and offerings used during funerals are generally tied with black and white mizuhiki, but this may differ slightly from the original custom.
Since ancient times, the official color for mizuhiki used for funerals has been "white," with "black and white" and "blue and white" being considered informal.
However, over the years the black and white color has become established and is now the common style.
Mizuhiki for funerals should be even numbers
As for the number of mizuhiki, traditionally for funerals, an even number, such as two or four, was used, but in recent years, five or seven mizuhiki have become the norm for both happy and sad occasions.
If you are using a commercially available product and want to follow the traditional customs, remove the mizuhiki that is already attached, turn the seam of the bag upside down, and fold the bottom of the lining over, then cover it with the top fold.
Also, if there are five mizuhiki strands, removing one or three and leaving two or four will make it a more formal look.
Noshi is not attached
"Noshi" originally meant serving snacks to accompany sake, and in the past, noshi abalone was used for this.
However, in order to avoid wasteful food at Buddhist ceremonies, food and alcohol are no longer served at funerals, and noshi wrapping is no longer used.
For this reason, noshi are not attached to condolence envelopes or wrapping paper for offerings.
Are the bills put in the condolence envelope new?
It is often said that new bills should be used for happy occasions and old bills for sad occasions.
This means that in the case of a funeral, new bills would be interpreted as having been "prepared for this occasion."
However, since it is an offering to the deceased, it is also disrespectful to give a dirty bill. On the other hand, there seems to be a belief that a clean bill is more appropriate to give to someone.
This means that you don't need to worry too much about it now.
Various inscriptions for condolences
| Goreizen | For condolence money (can be used for any religion) |
| Offering of sacred offerings | For Shinto funeral offerings |
| Small gift | For funerals and memorial services |
| Flower offering | For Christian funeral offerings |
| Ofuse (offering) | Thank you to monks and temples at funerals and memorial services |
| Ambition | For condolence gifts and handouts |
