Decree No. 237/2025/NĐ-CP amends and supplements some Articles of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 17, 2012 of the Government on the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and public employees.

DECREE

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES OF THE GOVERNMENTAL DECREE NO. 105/2012/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 17, 2012 ON THE ORGANIZATION OF FUNERALS FOR OFFICIALS, CIVIL SERVANTS, AND STATE EMPLOYEES

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Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants No. 80/2025/QH15;

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

The Government promulgates this Decree amending and supplementing certain articles of Governmental Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 17, 2012 on the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and state employees.

Article 1. Amending and supplementing certain articles of Governmental Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 17, 2012 on the organization of funerals for officials, civil servants, and state employees.

1. AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING ARTICLE 3 AS FOLLOWS:

"Article 3. Funeral rituals

1. Officials, civil servants, and public employees who are working or retired at the time of their death shall have their funerals organized according to one of the following rituals:

a) National Funeral.

b) State Funeral.

c) High-Level Funeral.

d) Funeral for officials, civil servants, and public employees.

2. Any changes to funeral rituals outside the cases stipulated in this Decree shall be implemented according to the regulations of the competent authority.

2. Amending and supplementing certain clauses of Article 4 as follows:

a) Amending Clause 2 as follows:

"2. In the case of organizing a wake at home, the body of the deceased must be placed in a coffin and ensure hygiene, especially for those with infectious diseases, in accordance with local customs and family traditions. The time from when the body is placed in the coffin until the burial ceremony is conducted shall comply with the provisions of the law on preventing and controlling infectious diseases."

b) Amending Clause 3 as follows:

"3. When placing the coffin, appropriate types of coffins should be used based on the condition of the body, customs, traditions, circumstances, and conditions of each family, ensuring that there is no environmental pollution or disease outbreak."

c) Amending Clause 4 as follows:

"4. It is prohibited to scatter or spread banknotes issued by the State Bank of Vietnam and foreign currencies during the funeral procession from the funeral house or home to the burial site; it is also prohibited to burn paper offerings at the burial site.

Scattering or spreading paper offerings during the funeral is limited."

d) Supplementing Clause 6 after Clause 5 as follows:

"6. Encouraging organizations and individuals to use rotating wreaths during the wake.

The Funeral Committee prepares rotating wreaths; in the announcement of condolences, it is noted: Delegations attending the wake are not to bring wreaths but only black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m with white letters reading "Respectfully Condolences" below which is a smaller line indicating the name of the organization or entity to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Committee."

3. Amending and supplementing certain clauses of Article 5 as follows:

a) Amending Clause 2 as follows:

"2. The organization of a National Funeral Ceremony for other senior officials who have made significant contributions and great achievements to the revolutionary cause of the Party, State, and people, and have high prestige both domestically and internationally, shall be carried out according to the decision of the Politburo."

b) Add Clause 3 after Clause 2 as follows:

"3. For the case where the deceased held one of the positions specified in Clause 1 of this Article and was granted early retirement, resignation, or retirement due to violations or shortcomings, the funeral shall be organized according to the high-level funeral ritual."

4. Amending and supplementing certain points and clauses of Article 7 as follows:

a) Amending the introductory clause of Clause 1 as follows:

"1. The establishment of the State Funeral Committee shall be carried out according to the decision of the Politburo, consisting of at least 25 members representing the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, central mass organizations, the agency where the deceased worked or worked at, and representatives of the leadership of the province or centrally-administered city where the deceased was born or lived."

b) Amending Point b of Clause 1 as follows:

"b) The State Funeral Committee shall be headed by a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam or the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam."

c) Amending the introductory clause of Clause 2 as follows:

"The establishment of the Funeral Organization Committee shall be carried out according to the decision of the Politburo, consisting of at least 15 members representing central ministries, agencies, and localities where the deceased was born or lived, and representatives of the deceased's family."

d) Amending Point b of Clause 2 as follows:

"b) Head of the Funeral Organization Committee: In the case where the deceased held one of the positions specified in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Decree and had retired, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee shall be the Deputy Prime Minister.

In the case where the deceased held one of the positions specified in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Decree and was still working, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee shall be one of the following: a member of the Politburo Standing Committee; Vice President; Deputy Prime Minister; Vice Chairman of the National Assembly.

In the case specified in Clause 2 of Article 5 of this Decree or not falling under the above cases, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee shall be appointed according to the decision of the Politburo.”

5. Amending and supplementing Article 8 as follows:

"Article 8. Documents on the State Funeral Ceremony

1. Drafting documents related to the National Funeral Ceremony (Press Release on the National Funeral Ceremony; list of members of the State Funeral Committee, Funeral Organization Committee, biography of the deceased; announcements on the wake, memorial service, and burial) shall be led by the Central Organization Department, in coordination with the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, the Central Party Office, the main management agency of the deceased, and relevant agencies, and approved by the State Funeral Committee.

2. Drafting the Eulogy and Words of Gratitude shall be led by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, in coordination with the Central Organization Department, the Central Party Office, and the main management agency of the deceased; these must be reviewed by the family of the deceased before being approved by the State Funeral Committee.

6. Amending Point b of Clause 2 of Article 9 as follows:

"b) The Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio will film the funeral. The Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam News Agency will report and broadcast; Vietnam Television will broadcast live the main content of the wake, the entire memorial service, and the funeral procession (if not transported by air) and the burial."

7. Amending Clause 1 of Article 11 as follows:

"1. The National Funeral Ceremony shall be organized at the National Funeral House No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if held in Hanoi); the Southern National Funeral House or Ho Chi Minh City Funeral House (if held in Ho Chi Minh City)."

8. Amending Article 13 as follows:

"Article 13. Wreaths at the Funeral Ceremony

The Funeral Organization Committee shall prepare six wreaths of the same size, with red ribbons and gold letters from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family; after the delegations have finished paying respects, they shall be fixed on both sides of the altar.

9. Amend and supplement Article 14 as follows:

"Article 14. Visitation Ceremony

1. Visitation at the Funeral Hall

a) The Funeral Committee arranges the delegations to pay respects in the following formation: two soldiers carrying wreaths leading the way, followed by the Head of the Delegation, with an officer leading the delegation on the right side behind the Head of the Delegation, and the members of the delegation walking in two columns.

b) The Funeral Committee organizes the reception and arrangement of foreign delegations, diplomatic agencies, consular agencies, representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam, and other foreign agencies and individuals who wish to pay respects and sign the book of condolences.

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

d) During the period of paying respects, military musicians play the music "Hồn tử sĩ" (Soul of the Soldier).

2. Simultaneously with the State Funeral ceremony, the organization of the funeral ceremony at the hometown or another locality of the deceased shall be carried out according to the decision of the National Funeral Committee.

10. Amend point b of Clause 3 of Article 16 as follows:

"b) Military musicians play the Vietnamese National Anthem;"

11. Amend Clause 2 of Article 17 as follows:

"2. When transferring the coffin from the funeral house to the funeral vehicle and from the funeral vehicle to the grave site, there will be one officer carrying the image, one officer carrying the cushion with medals, and one officer carrying the flag wrapped around the coffin; the working team consists of one officer and twelve or more soldiers transferring the coffin from the funeral house to the funeral vehicle, and from the funeral vehicle to the grave site; the Head and Deputy Head of the National Funeral Committee jointly carry the coffin (the head part of the coffin); family members and other participants follow behind the coffin."

12. Amend and supplement some points and clauses of Article 21 as follows:

a) Amend point i of Clause 1 as follows:

"i) Senior General of the People's Armed Forces is a cadre engaged in revolutionary activities before August 1945."

b) Amend and supplement Clause 2 as follows:

"2. In cases where the deceased held one of the positions specified in Clause 1 of this Article and was relieved of duty, retired early, or retired due to violation or deficiency as decided by the competent authority, the funeral shall be organized according to the high-level funeral ritual; if the deceased was disciplined with dismissal or removal of position or title, the funeral shall be organized according to the funeral ritual for cadres, civil servants, and public officials."

13. Amend the introductory clause of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 23 as follows:

a) Amending the introductory clause of Clause 1 as follows:

"1. The establishment of the National Funeral Committee shall be carried out according to the decision of the Central Committee Secretariat, consisting of twenty or more representatives from the Politburo, the Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the agency where the deceased worked or worked at, and the hometown or place of birth of the deceased.”

b) Amend the introductory clause of Clause 2 as follows:

"2. The establishment of the Funeral Organization Committee shall be carried out according to the decision of the Central Committee Secretariat, consisting of fifteen or more representatives from central ministries, localities where the deceased lived or was born, and representatives from the family."

14. Amend and supplement Article 24 as follows:

"Article 24. Documents on State Funeral

1. Drafting documents related to state-level funerals (Press Release on State Funeral; list of the National Funeral Committee, Funeral Organization Committee, biography of the deceased; announcement of the funeral, memorial service, burial ceremony) shall be chaired by the Central Organization Department, in coordination with the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, the Central Party Office, the main management agency of the deceased, and relevant agencies, prior to approval by the National Funeral Committee.

2. Drafting the Eulogy and Thank You Speech shall be chaired by the main management agency of the deceased, in coordination with the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, the Central Organization Department, and the Central Party Office; it must include the opinion of the deceased's family prior to approval by the National Funeral Committee.

15. Amend Clause 1 of Article 26 as follows:

"1. State-level funerals shall be organized at the National Funeral House No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if organized in Hanoi); National Funeral House in the South or Ho Chi Minh City Funeral House (if organized in Ho Chi Minh City)."

16. Amend Article 28 as follows:

"Article 28. Flower Wreaths for Mourning

Wreaths for paying respects shall be arranged by the Funeral Organization Committee in accordance with Clause 13 of this Decree.

17. Amend and supplement some clauses of Article 34 as follows:

a) Amend Clause 1 as follows:

"1. Current cadres and civil servants under the management of the Politburo and the Central Committee Secretariat (excluding those entitled to State Funeral and State-level Funeral); cadres engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945 (revolutionary veterans) awarded the Independence Medal of First Class or higher; cadres working in the South throughout the period of resistance against America (1954-1975) awarded the Independence Medal of First Class or higher; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific workers (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Award - individual award) and awarded the Independence Medal of First Class or higher; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific workers (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Award - individual award) who are People's Armed Forces Hero or Labor Hero when retiring upon death shall be organized a high-level funeral."

b) Amend Clause 2 as follows:

"In cases where the deceased held one of the positions specified in Clause 1 of this Article and was disciplined with dismissal or removal of position or title, the funeral shall be organized according to the funeral ritual for cadres, civil servants, and public officials."

c) Add Clause 3 after Clause 2 as follows:

"3. In cases where the deceased was a member of the Central Committee (excluding those entitled to State Funeral and State-level Funeral) and was relieved of duty, retired early, or retired due to violation or deficiency as decided by the competent authority, the funeral shall be organized according to the funeral ritual for cadres, civil servants, and public officials."

18. Amend Article 38 as follows:

"Funeral shall be organized at the National Funeral House No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if organized in Hanoi); National Funeral House in the South or Ho Chi Minh City Funeral House (if organized in Ho Chi Minh City). If the deceased passed away in another locality, it shall be carried out according to the regulations of that locality."

19. Amend the introductory clause and point b of Clause 1 of Article 39 as follows:

a) Amend the introductory clause of Clause 1 as follows:

"1. Burial at Mai Dich Cemetery, Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery in the following cases:"

b) Amending Point b of Clause 1 as follows:

"b) Cadres who were engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945 (revolutionary veterans) are awarded the Independence Order of the First Class or higher; cadres who were active in the South throughout the period of resistance against the United States (1954-1975) are awarded the Independence Order of the First Class or higher; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific activists (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize - individual award) and are awarded the Independence Order of the First Class or higher;"

20. Amend Article 41 as follows:

"Article 41. Wreaths for Condolence

The Funeral Organization prepares two wreaths of the same size, with black ribbons bearing white characters from the managing agency and the family to be placed fixed on both sides of the altar table.

21. Amend and supplement Article 52 as follows:

"Article 52. Decorations for the Funeral Altar

1. For the Funeral Ceremony of officials, civil servants, and public employees organized at a funeral home:

a) The memorial platform is decorated with a black background, on which the photograph of the deceased and the white characters "Deeply mourned..." are affixed;

b) A memorial table shall be placed before and centrally in front of the background, two fixed wreaths from the agency and the family shall be placed on both sides of the memorial table, and an incense urn shall be placed under the altar;

c) The coffin shall be placed centrally, with its head facing towards the altar;

d) A small memorial table shall be placed below, containing an incense burner;

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

2. For the Funeral Ceremony of officials, civil servants, and public employees organized at the family residence:

The memorial platform is decorated according to customs, traditions, conditions, and circumstances of the deceased's family.

22. Amend Article 53 as follows:

"Article 53. Condolence Wreaths

The Funeral Organization prepares two wreaths of the same size from the managing agency and the family to be placed fixed on both sides of the altar table.

23. Amend and supplement Article 55 as follows:

"Article 55. Memorial Service, Funeral Procession, and Burial Ceremony

The funeral ceremony, the farewell ceremony, and the burial ceremony shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 43, 44, and 45 of this Decree or conducted according to customs, traditions, conditions, and circumstances of each family of the deceased as appropriate.

24. Amend some clauses of Article 57 as follows:

a) Amending Clause 2 as follows:

"2. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall guide the implementation of the provisions of Chapter V of this Decree for the deceased under their management."

b) Amend Clause 7 as follows:

"7. The Ministry of Health shall stipulate hygiene regulations in funeral and cremation activities;"

Article 2. Replace and abolish some terms, phrases, points, clauses, and articles of Government Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 17, 2012, on organizing funerals for cadres, civil servants, and public officials

1. Replace the phrase "funeral form for cadres, civil servants, and public officials" with the phrase "funeral ritual for cadres, civil servants, and public officials" in Clause 2 of Article 47.

2. Abolish the paragraph "The cases specified in Clause 2 of Article 48 of this Decree and cadres, civil servants who held positions at the Bureau, Department, Provincial Department level and equivalent and above, and cadres, civil servants, and public officials:" in the introductory clause of Clause 2 of Article 49.

3. Abolish Clause 6 of Article 57; Article 58.

This Circular takes effect from December 25, 2025/.

The Minister, the Heads of ministerial-level agencies, the Heads of government agencies, and the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

This Decree takes effect from the date of issuance.