Decree No. 105/2012/ND-CP On the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and public employees

DECREE

ON THE ORGANIZATION OF FUNERALS FOR OFFICIALS, CIVIL SERVANTS, AND STATE EMPLOYEES

On the basis of Law on Government Organization dated December 25, 2001;

At the proposal of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

The Government promulgates this Decree on the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and state employees,

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

This Decree stipulates the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and state employees who are working or retired at the time of their death (hereinafter referred to collectively as the deceased).

Article 2. Principles of Funeral Organization

1. The organization of funerals for the deceased reflects the respect of the Party, State, and people, agencies, and units for the contributions of officials, civil servants, and state employees during their work and revolutionary activities, in building and defending the country.

2. The organization of funerals for the deceased must be solemn, civilized, inheriting the beautiful traditions of national culture, economical in accordance with the economic and social conditions of the country and each region; limiting and gradually eliminating outdated customs, superstitions, ostentation, and waste. Encouraging the organization of burials through cremation, electric cremation, and burial in hometowns.

1. National Funeral.

2. State-Level Funeral.

3. High-Level Funeral.

4. Funeral for Officials, Civil Servants, and State Employees.

Article 4. Other Provisions

1. The wake shall be held at the funeral home, and the procession and interment shall take place on the same day (except for the National Funeral).

Chapter II
NATIONAL FUNERAL

Article 5. Titles Entitled to a National Funeral

1. Officials holding or having ceased to hold any of the following positions at the time of their death shall be entitled to a National Funeral:

a) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam;

b) President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

c) Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

d) Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Article 6. Announcement of the National Funeral

The following agencies shall jointly issue a press release regarding the National Funeral:

1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam;

2. The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

3. The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

4. The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

5. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Article 7. The National Funeral Committee and the Funeral Organizing Committee

a) The National Funeral Committee is responsible for directing the organization of the National Funeral in accordance with this Decree;

a) The Funeral Organizing Committee is responsible for assisting the National Funeral Committee in managing the agencies that are members of the Funeral Organizing Committee and the agencies participating in organizing the National Funeral in accordance with this Decree;

The Central Organizing Committee shall take the lead and coordinate with the Central Propaganda Committee, the Central Party Office, and the managing agency of the deceased to draft: the press release on the State Funeral Ceremony; the list of the National Funeral Committee, the Organizing Committee for the Funeral Ceremony, the biography of the deceased; announcements on the wake, funeral service, burial ceremony; the eulogy and thank-you message incorporating the opinions of the deceased's family and approved by the National Funeral Committee.

Article 9. Announcing and Publishing Information on the State Funeral Ceremony

1. Announcing sad news

Prior to the official announcement by the Organizing Committee for the Funeral Ceremony, mass media may only publish brief notices regarding the death. After the establishment of the Organizing Committee for the Funeral Ceremony and the official announcement of the funeral arrangements, mass media may then announce the sad news and publish articles introducing the deceased.

2. Publishing information on mass media

a) The People's Newspaper and central and local press agencies shall report on the State Funeral Ceremony, including: the press release, the list of the National Funeral Committee, the Organizing Committee for the Funeral Ceremony; the biography and photograph of the deceased; nationwide mourning rituals; announcements on the wake, funeral service, burial ceremony, and the thank-you message from the National Funeral Committee;

Article 10. Duration and Mourning Rituals

The duration of the State Funeral Ceremony is two days. During this period, all agencies and offices across the country and Vietnamese representative offices abroad shall fly flags at half-mast with mourning bands (the width of which is one-tenth the width of the flag, the length equal to the length of the flag, and only flown up to two-thirds the height of the flagpole, using black cloth tied securely without allowing the flag to flutter), and shall not organize public entertainment activities.

Article 11. Venue for the State Funeral Ceremony and Burial Site

2. Burial shall take place at Mai Dich Cemetery, Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery, or cremation, incineration, and burial at the hometown or another local cemetery according to the wishes of the family.

Article 12. Decorations of the Altar and Guarding the Coffin

1. The altar shall be decorated with a black background, featuring the national flag with a mourning band, the photograph of the deceased, and white letters reading "Deeply Mourned Comrade...".

2. The altar table shall be placed centrally in the room, below the altar, with an incense urn and cushion for medals.

3. The coffin shall be draped with the national flag and placed centrally on the altar platform, facing the altar table.

4. The Organizing Committee for the Funeral Ceremony shall assign members of the Organizing Committee to stand guard when high-level delegations from the Central Party Committee, National Assembly, President, Government, and Central Vietnam Fatherland Front visit to pay respects.

5. During the wake and funeral service, two honor guards shall stand at the entrance of the funeral hall; four military officers in ceremonial uniform shall stand guard at each corner of the coffin, and six honor guards shall stand guard around the coffin and serve as the funeral band for the wake, funeral service, and funeral procession.

1. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares six (6) wreaths with red ribbons bearing golden characters from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family; after the visiting delegations have completed their visits, these wreaths are placed permanently on both sides of the altar.

2. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares thirty (30) wreaths for rotation. In the announcement of condolences, it is noted that visiting delegations should not bring wreaths but only black ribbons measuring 1.2 meters by 0.2 meters, with white characters reading "Respectfully Condolence," followed by smaller characters indicating the name of the organization, group, or individual to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Organization Committee.

1. The Funeral Organization Committee arranges the visiting delegations in the following formation: two (2) soldiers carrying the wreaths lead the procession, followed by the Head of the Delegation, with an officer leading the delegation standing to the right of the Head of the Delegation; members of the delegation follow in two columns.

2. The Funeral Organization Committee organizes the reception and arrangement of foreign representative delegations, diplomatic agencies, consular agencies, international organizations' representative offices in Vietnam, and other foreign agencies and individuals wishing to pay respects and sign the condolence book.

3. After paying respects, the Head of the Delegation signs the condolence book.

4. During the condolence ceremony, military musicians play the music "Soul of the Martyr."

Article 15. Arrangement of the Condolence Ceremony Abroad

1. Simultaneously with the State Funeral in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guides Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to receive Vietnamese and foreign organizations and individuals who come to pay respects and sign the condolence book at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

2. Decorations for the memorial platform:

a) The memorial platform is decorated with a black background, the National Flag hanging above with a mourning ribbon, an image of the deceased person, and white characters reading "Deeply Mourn Comrade...";

b) The altar is placed in the center of the room, below the memorial platform there is a censer; two fixed wreaths are placed on both sides of the altar;

c) A table for signing the condolence book.

Article 16. Memorial Service

1. Participants in the Memorial Service include: the State Funeral Committee; the Funeral Organization Committee; the family and relatives; representatives of the deceased's agencies, units, and localities.

2. Positions of the delegations attending the Memorial Service

a) The family stands on the left side of the funeral hall (facing the memorial platform);

b) Party and State leaders stand on the right side of the funeral hall (facing the memorial platform);

c) Delegations of ministries, departments, other entities, security forces, and the military band stand according to the Funeral Organization Committee's arrangement.

3. Program of the Memorial Service

a) The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the commencement of the Memorial Service;

c) The Head of the State Funeral Committee reads the eulogy and declares a moment of silence;

d) During the moment of silence, military musicians play the music "Soul of the Martyr";

e) The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the conclusion of the Memorial Service.

4. Simultaneously with the Memorial Service at the central level, local leaders from the hometown or place of birth of the deceased organize a Memorial Service locally.

Article 17. Burial Ceremony

1. Participants in the Burial Ceremony include: the State Funeral Committee; the Funeral Organization Committee; the family and relatives; representatives of the deceased's agencies, units, and localities.

Article 18. Forces and Means for Funeral Services

1. The forces for funeral services shall be prepared by the Ministry of National Defense, including:

a) Forces for the Wake Service: four officers standing guard at a distance of 1.5 meters from the coffin; six soldiers with assault rifles standing guard outside at a distance of 0.7 meters from the officers; two honor guards standing in front of the funeral house; flower carriers; an officer leading the wake; military band forces for the Wake Service;

b) Forces for the Memorial Service: four officers standing guard at each corner at a distance of 1.5 meters from the coffin; six soldiers with assault rifles standing guard outside at a distance of 0.7 meters from the officers; two honor guards standing in front of the funeral house; one national flag team; one military flag team; honor guard forces of three military branches (127 officers and soldiers); military band forces for the Memorial Service;

c) Forces for the Burial Procession Service: one officer carrying the portrait, one officer carrying the cushion with medals, one officer wrapping the flag; a work team consisting of one officer and twelve soldiers carrying the coffin; seven soldiers preparing the funeral vehicle; honor guard forces of three military branches;

d) Forces for the Interment Service: twenty-seven soldiers serving as honor guards at the cemetery gate; a burial detail force of thirteen soldiers; honor guard forces of three military branches; military band forces for the Interment Service.

2. The means for funeral services shall be prepared by the Ministry of National Defense, including: one command vehicle; one vehicle for the national flag, portrait, and medal cushion; one vehicle for the military flag; six vehicles for the honor guard formation; one flower vehicle; one vehicle to pull the funeral vehicle (with a 122mm howitzer at the rear of the funeral vehicle); one spare vehicle; two communication vehicles; one ambulance.

3. The coffin shall be covered with the national flag and placed inside a glass case on top of the funeral vehicle.

Article 19. Burial Ceremony

1. After the work team moves the coffin to its burial position, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the start of the Burial Ceremony.

2. A team performs the burial duties.

3. The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee invites Party and State leaders, family members to throw the first handful of soil and walk around the grave site to bid farewell.

4. The team continues to complete the grave.

5. During the Burial Ceremony and the filling of the grave, the military band plays the "Funeral March."

6. After the grave is filled, the Funeral Organization Committee observes a minute of silence to bid farewell to the deceased. The military band plays "Soul of the Martyr."

Article 20. Building the Tomb and Costs

1. The tomb is built of granite, with dimensions as prescribed by current regulations.

2. The costs for building the tomb or cremation, electric cremation, and funeral services shall be funded by the state budget.

Chapter III
NATIONAL FUNERAL

Article 21. State-Level Funeral Services for Certain Positions

1. Officials currently holding or having held any of the following positions upon their death shall be entitled to state-level funeral services:

a) Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party;

b) Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

c) Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

d) Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

đ) Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front;

e) Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court;

g) Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuracy;

h) Senior General of the People's Armed Forces;

For those disciplined with removal from office, the funeral service shall be organized according to the form for officials, civil servants, and public employees.

Article 22. Announcing Bereavement Notice

Depending on the position of the deceased, the bereavement notice shall be issued in the name of all or some of the following agencies and the family:

1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

2. The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

4. The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

5. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

Article 23. State Funeral Committee and Funeral Organization Committee

a) The State Funeral Committee is responsible for directing the organization of the state funeral in accordance with this Decree.

b) The Chairman of the State Funeral Committee is a member of the Politburo; the Vice President, a Deputy Prime Minister, or a Vice Chairman of the National Assembly.

a) The Funeral Organization Committee assists the State Funeral Committee in managing the agencies that are members of the Funeral Organization Committee and those participating in organizing the state funeral as stipulated in this Decree.

b) Depending on the position of the deceased, the Chairman of the Funeral Organization Committee is one of the Secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party; the Director of the President's Office; the Minister-Chairman of the Government's Office; the Director of the National Assembly's Office, or the Secretary of other agencies specified in Article 21 of this Decree.

The Central Organization Department takes the lead and coordinates with the Central Propaganda Department, the Central Party Office, and the main management agency of the deceased to draft: the announcement about the state funeral; the list of members of the State Funeral Committee and the Funeral Organization Committee; the biography of the deceased; notices about the wake, memorial service, burial ceremony; the eulogy and thank-you speech incorporating the family's contributions and approved by the State Funeral Committee.

Article 25. Reporting and Publishing Information About State Funerals on Media Outlets

1. Announcing sad news

Prior to the official announcement by the Funeral Organization Committee, mass media outlets may only report brief information about the deceased. After the establishment of the Funeral Organization Committee and the formal announcement of the funeral arrangements, mass media outlets may report and publish articles about the deceased.

2. Publishing information on mass media

a) The People's Newspaper and central and local press outlets report the bereavement notice; the biography and photograph of the deceased; notices about the wake, memorial service, burial ceremony, and the thank-you speech of the State Funeral Committee.

b) The Voice of Vietnam Radio and Television, and the Vietnam News Agency broadcast and televise the wake and memorial service.

Article 26. Location of Funeral and Burial Site

2. Burial at Mai Dich Cemetery, Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery or cremation; burial at the hometown or another local cemetery according to the family's wishes.

Article 27. Decorations for the memorial platform and vigil beside the coffin

Clause 1. The memorial platform shall be decorated with a black background banner, on which the photograph of the deceased and the white text "With deep sorrow" followed by the name of the comrade shall be affixed.

Clause 2. The altar shall be placed before and centrally in front of the banner, below the platform there shall be an incense urn and a cushion for medals; six (6) wreaths shall be fixed on both sides of the altar.

Clause 3. The coffin shall be draped with the National Flag and placed on a pedestal at the center, with its head facing the memorial platform.

4. A small altar shall be placed below, with a bowl of incense for the leaders of visiting delegations to light.

Clause 5. The Funeral Committee shall assign officials from the main administrative unit where the deceased was working to stand vigil beside the coffin when high-level delegations from the Central Party Committee, National Assembly, State President, Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front come to pay respects.

Clause 6. The family shall stand on the left side of the funeral hall (facing towards the memorial platform).

Clause 7. During the course of the mourning ceremony, two (2) soldiers shall stand guard at the entrance of the funeral hall; four (4) military officers in ceremonial uniform and four (4) soldiers shall stand guard around the coffin and the military band shall serve during the mourning ceremony, funeral procession, and burial ceremony.

1. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares six (6) wreaths with red ribbons bearing golden characters from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family; after the visiting delegations have completed their visits, these wreaths are placed permanently on both sides of the altar.

Clause 2. The Funeral Committee shall prepare twenty-five (25) wreaths for rotation. In the announcement of condolences, it shall be noted that visiting delegations should not bring wreaths but only black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m, bearing white text "To pay respects," with smaller text indicating the name of the organization, group, or individual to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Committee.

Article 29. Mourning Ceremony

Clause 1. The Funeral Committee shall arrange the visiting delegations in the following formation: Two (2) soldiers carrying wreaths shall lead, followed by the Head of the Delegation, with an officer guiding the visitation on the right side behind the Head of the Delegation, and the members of the delegation shall follow in two columns.

Clause 2. After paying respects, the Head of the Delegation shall sign the condolence book.

Clause 3. During the mourning ceremony, the military band shall play the music "Soul of the Martyr."

Article 30. Arrangement for foreign delegations to pay respects

Clause 1. The arrangement for foreign delegations to pay respects shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 14 of this Decree.

Clause 2. Overseas representative offices of Vietnam shall not organize mourning ceremonies or funeral processions.

Article 31. Memorial Service, Funeral Procession, and Burial Ceremony

The organization of the Memorial Service, Funeral Procession, and Burial Ceremony shall be carried out according to the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 16, Article 17, and Article 19 of this Decree.

Article 32. Forces and Means Serving the Funeral Procession

Clause 1. The forces serving the Funeral Procession shall be prepared by the Ministry of Defense, including: The Military Flag Team, the Honor Guard of Three Services; the force transferring the coffin and flowers.

Clause 2. The vehicle fleet serving the Funeral Procession shall be prepared by the Ministry of Defense, including: One command vehicle; one towing vehicle for the hearse (with a platform at the rear of the hearse bearing the inscription "The Nation Honors"); one vehicle for transporting the Military Flag, photographs, and medal cushions; three vehicles for the Honor Guard of Three Services and one flower vehicle, one spare vehicle, two communication vehicles, and one ambulance.

Clause 3. The coffin draped with the National Flag shall be placed in a glass enclosure on the towing vehicle bearing the inscription "The Nation Honors."

Article 33. Tomb Construction and Costs

1. The tomb is built of granite, with dimensions as prescribed by current regulations.

2. The costs for building the tomb or cremation, electric cremation, and funeral services shall be funded by the state budget.

Chapter IV
FUNERAL FOR HIGH-RANKING PERSONNEL

Article 34. Senior Official Funeral Arrangements

Article 35. Announcing the Death Notice

1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the agency that has or is directly managing the deceased person shall announce the death notice for the positions of Central Committee members.

2. For other positions, the agency that has or is directly managing the deceased person; the party committee, local government of the hometown or place of residence of the deceased person shall announce the death notice.

3. The death notice shall be published on the front page of the People's Army Newspaper, the Public Security Newspaper, the industry-specific newspapers, and the local newspapers of the deceased person’s hometown or birthplace.

The Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam Radio, and Vietnam News Agency shall broadcast the death notice.

Article 36. Funeral Arrangement Committee

1. The Funeral Arrangement Committee shall be established by the leadership of the main managing agency; the local government where the deceased person was working or had worked, consisting of from ten (10) to fifteen (15) representatives from units and political organizations under the main managing agency and the locality.

2. The Head of the Funeral Arrangement Committee shall be a leader of the main managing agency or the local party committee, government.

Article 37. Organizing the Funeral and Preparing the Eulogy

The funeral organization and eulogy preparation shall be carried out by the main managing agency or the local party committee, government where the deceased person was working or had worked, together with the family.

The funeral shall be held at the National Funeral House No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if held in Hanoi); Military Hospital 175 Funeral House or Funeral House No. 25 Le Quy Don Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City (if held in Ho Chi Minh City). If the death occurs in another locality, it shall be implemented according to the regulations of that locality.

Article 39. Burial Site

a) Cadres under the management of the Politburo;

c) Notable social, cultural, and scientific figures (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize - individual award) who are National Hero of the Armed Forces, Labor Hero.

2. For other positions, burial shall take place at the local cemetery or according to the wishes of the family.

3. In case the family wishes cremation, incineration, or burial in their hometown, the Funeral Arrangement Committee shall be responsible for organizing a high-level funeral in accordance with this Decree.

Article 40. Decorations of the Memorial Platform and Guarding the Coffin

1. The memorial platform shall be decorated with a black background, featuring a photo of the deceased person and white letters reading "With deep sorrow...".

2. A shrine shall be placed in front and center of the background, with two fixed wreaths from the main managing agency and the family on either side of the shrine, and an incense urn below the memorial platform.

3. The coffin shall be placed centrally on the stage, with the head facing towards the altar.

4. A small altar shall be placed below, with a bowl of incense for the leaders of visiting delegations to light.

5. Leading officials of the main managing agency or locality shall stand on the right side of the funeral hall (facing the memorial platform) when high-ranking delegations from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, National Assembly, State President, Government, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee come to pay respects.

Clause 6. The family shall stand on the left side of the funeral hall (facing towards the memorial platform).

1. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares two (2) wreaths with black ribbons bearing white characters from the managing agency and the family, to be placed permanently on both sides of the altar.

2. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares fifteen (15) wreaths to be rotated; in the announcement of condolences, it is noted: Delegations coming to pay respects should not bring wreaths but only black cloth bands measuring 1.2 m x 0.2 m, with a white "Respectfully Condoling" message below which is a smaller inscription of the name of the organization, group, or individual to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Organization Committee.

Article 42. Condolence Ceremony

1. The Funeral Organization Committee arranges delegations to pay respects in the following formation: Two (2) soldiers lead with the wreaths, followed by the Head of the Delegation and other members of the delegation walking in two columns.

Clause 2. After paying respects, the Head of the Delegation shall sign the condolence book.

Clause 3. During the mourning ceremony, the military band shall play the music "Soul of the Martyr."

Article 43. Memorial Service

1. Participants in the Memorial Service include: The Funeral Organization Committee, representatives of agencies and organizations where the deceased was working or had worked; the hometown or place of residence of the deceased and the family, relatives.

2. Positions of delegations attending the Memorial Service (viewed from the stage):

a) The family stands on the left side of the funeral hall;

b) Leaders of the agency and locality stand on the right side of the funeral hall;

c) Other delegations stand according to the arrangement of the Funeral Organization Committee.

3. Program of the Memorial Service:

a) A representative of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the start of the Memorial Service;

b) The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee reads the eulogy, declares a moment of silence, and concludes the Memorial Service;

c) During the Memorial Service, the Military Band plays the "Soul of the Soldier" music.

Article 44. Burial Procession and Funeral Vehicle

1. Participants in the Burial Procession are the same as those in the Memorial Service.

2. When transferring the coffin onto the funeral vehicle and from the vehicle to the grave site, members of the Funeral Organization Committee, delegations, and the family follow behind the coffin.

The funeral service staff and agencies or localities where the deceased worked perform the task of moving the coffin, wreaths to the funeral vehicle and from the vehicle to the grave site.

3. The funeral vehicle is prepared by the managing agency or the locality where the deceased was working or had worked.

Article 45. Interment Ceremony

1. After the coffin has been moved to its position at the grave site, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the start of the Interment Ceremony.

2. A team performs the burial duties.

3. The Funeral Organization Committee, delegations, and the family place the first handful of earth and walk around the grave site to bid farewell.

4. The team continues to complete the grave.

5. During the Interment Ceremony, the Military Band plays the "Soul of the Soldier" music.

Article 46. Building the Tomb and Costs

1. The tomb is built of granite, with dimensions as prescribed by current regulations.

2. Costs for building the tomb, cremation, electric burial, and funeral services are taken from the burial fee according to the regulations of the social insurance law; any remaining costs are covered by the state budget.

Chapter V
FUNERAL OF STATE EMPLOYEES AND CIVIL SERVANTS

Article 47. Titles for Organizing the Funeral of State Employees and Civil Servants

1. State employees and civil servants who are currently working or retired when they pass away shall have their funerals organized as funerals for state employees and civil servants (except for titles that organize National Funerals, State-Level Funerals, and High-Level Funerals).

Article 48. Announcing the Funeral

1. The agency directly managing the deceased; the Party committee and local government of the hometown or place of residence of the deceased sign to announce the funeral on local newspapers and radio stations where the deceased was working or retired.

2. For the following cases, the announcement of condolences is made on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper:

a) Cadres who participated in the revolutionary movement before August 1945 and were recognized by agencies or competent authorities;

b) Heroes of the Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, People's Artists, People's Teachers, People's Doctors, People's Artisans, individuals awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts and Science and Technology, Party members awarded the 30-year Party Membership Badge or higher.

Article 49. Funeral Committee

1. For deceased persons who were employed at the time of death:

a) The Funeral Committee shall be decided by the agency directly managing the deceased person, consisting of representatives from units and social organizations within the agency where the deceased was working, representatives from the family, and representatives from the local government where the deceased resided;

b) The Head of the Funeral Committee shall be the leader of the unit, organization, or agency directly managing the deceased person.

In cases stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 48 of this Decree and for cadres, civil servants who held positions at the Bureau, Department, Provincial Department level and above, and cadres, civil servants, and public officials:

a) The Funeral Committee shall be jointly decided by the Party committee, political-social organizations, and local government (commune, ward, town, street) where the deceased person retired and resided, in coordination with the agency, organization, or military unit that managed the deceased person before retirement, consisting of representatives from social organizations, local government, the family, and the agency or military unit that managed the deceased person before retirement;

b) The Head of the Funeral Committee shall be the head of the Party committee, political-social organization, or local government (commune, ward, town, street) where the deceased person retired and resided.

Article 50. Eulogy

Preparation of the eulogy shall be conducted by the main managing agency where the deceased person worked or by the Party committee, local government (commune, ward, town, street) where the deceased person resided after retirement, together with the family.

Article 51. Venue for Funeral and Burial Site

1. Based on the conditions of each agency, organization, and locality, and the wishes of the deceased person's family, the funeral may be organized at a funeral home or at the family residence.

2. Burial shall take place at a local cemetery, another cemetery, or through cremation or electric cremation according to the wishes of the family.

1. The altar shall be decorated with a black background, featuring a photo of the deceased and white letters reading "Deeply mourned...".

2. A table for offerings shall be placed in front and centered against the backdrop, with two fixed wreaths from the agency and the family placed on either side of the offering table, and an incense urn under the altar.

3. The coffin shall be placed centrally, with its head facing towards the altar.

4. A small offering table shall be placed below, containing an incense burner for offerings.

5. The family shall stand on the left side of the funeral hall (viewing from the direction of the altar).

1. The Funeral Committee shall prepare two wreaths from the main managing agency and the family, which shall be fixed on either side of the offering table.

2. The Funeral Committee shall prepare five rotating wreaths; in the announcement of condolences, it shall be noted: Delegations coming to pay respects shall not bring wreaths but only black mourning bands measuring 1.2m x 0.2m, with white letters reading "Condolences" and smaller letters indicating the name of the agency or organization to be attached to the wreaths prepared by the Funeral Committee.

Article 54. Condolence Visits

1. Depending on the conditions at the funeral home or at the family residence, the funeral shall be organized in a manner suitable to the customs, traditions, religion, and circumstances of the deceased person's family.

2. During the period of condolence visits at the family residence, music shall not be played before 6:00 AM and after 10:00 PM; sound levels must comply with permitted noise levels; inappropriate music shall not be used during the funeral.

The Funeral Ceremony, Burial Ceremony, and Interment Ceremony shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Articles 43, 44, and 45 of this Decree.

Article 56. Funeral Allowance

The funeral allowance shall be implemented in accordance with the laws on social insurance.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 57. Organization and Implementation

1. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to guide, publicize, and inspect the implementation of this Decree.

3. The Ministry of National Defense shall establish regulations regarding honor guards, duty officers, military bands, flower-bearers' teams, funeral procession vehicle formations, and funeral vehicle formations at State Funerals and State-level funerals.

4. The Ministry of Public Security shall establish regulations concerning security and traffic safety work at State Funerals and State-level funerals.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall specify the detailed expenses and implement budget allocation and settlement for serving State Funerals, State-level funerals, and high-level funerals.

8. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for planning, investment, and construction of cemeteries, specifying concrete rules for grave construction suitable to local land funds, customs, and traditions, and encouraging and promoting cremation and civilized practices in funeral activities within their jurisdictions.

Organizations and individuals violating the regulations on organizing funerals as stipulated in this Decree shall be criticized or administratively sanctioned depending on the severity of the violation.

Article 59. Effective Date

This Decree shall take effect from February 1, 2013, and replace Government Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP dated September 12, 2001, on the issuance of regulations on organizing funerals for state officials, civil servants, and public employees upon death.

Article 60. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies; Heads of government-affiliated agencies; Chairpersons of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees shall be responsible for implementing this Decree./.