Decree No. 62/2001/ND-CP On the issuance of Rules for organizing funerals for state officials, civil servants, and public employees upon death

 

DECREE

Regarding the issuance of Rules on Funeral Organization for State Officials upon Death

 civil servant when deceased

 

 THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

At the proposal of the Minister, Head of the Organization and Cadre Department of the Government,

DECREE:

Article 1. Attached to this Decree are the Rules on Funeral Organization for State Officials upon Death.

Article 2. This Decree takes effect fifteen days from the date of signature. Previous regulations contrary to these Rules are abolished.

Article 3. Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to ministries, Heads of government agencies, political organizations, political-social organizations, Chairpersons of provincial people's councils directly under the central government shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.

 

 

 

REGULATIONS
FUNERAL ORGANIZATION FOR STATE OFFICIALS UPON DEATH
(Issued together with Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP dated September 12, 2001 of the Government)

Chapter 1:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. These Rules stipulate funeral organization for incumbent senior officials, retired senior officials, and state officials who are still working or have retired when they pass away.

Article 2. The organization of funerals for state officials upon death reflects the respect of the Party, the State, and the people for their contributions during their service in the revolutionary cause, national construction, and defense. Funerals for state officials should be organized solemnly, economically, and in accordance with national traditions and civilized customs.

Chapter 2:

NATIONAL FUNERAL

Article 3. Comrades holding or having held the following positions will have a National Funeral organized upon their passing:

1. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam;

2. President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

3. Prime Minister;

4. Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Article 4. The following agencies shall issue announcements 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 5. The National Funeral Committee and the Funeral Organization Committee

1. The National Funeral Committee is decided by the Politburo, consisting of 25 to 30 members representing the Politburo, the Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, central and local mass organizations, and the leadership of the province or centrally-administered city where the deceased served.

2. The Head of the National Funeral Committee is the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam or the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. The Funeral Organization Committee is decided by the Politburo, consisting of 15 to 20 members representing central and local ministries and agencies in the home province or city of the deceased, tasked with assisting the National Funeral Committee.

4. The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee is a Deputy Prime Minister.

Article 6. Eulogy and Condolence Speech

The Central Organization Department, in coordination with the Central Propaganda and Culture Department, the Government Organization and Cadre Department, and the main agency of the deceased, drafts: Announcement about the National Funeral; biography of the deceased; notice about the wake, memorial service, and burial; eulogy and condolence speech, incorporating family feedback and approved by the National Funeral Committee.

Article 7. Announcing the National Funeral

1. The People's Army Newspaper, the People's Public Security Newspaper, the Hanoi New Newspaper, the Saigon Liberation Newspaper, the Voice of Vietnam Radio, and Vietnam Television announce details of the National Funeral, including: Announcement; list of the National Funeral Committee; biography and photo of the deceased; nationwide mourning rituals; notice about the wake, memorial service, and burial; and the condolence speech of the National Funeral Committee.

2. Vietnam Television and the Voice of Vietnam Radio broadcast and provide live coverage of the memorial service and burial.

Article 8. The duration of the National Funeral is two days. During this period, all agencies and offices across the country and overseas diplomatic missions fly flags at half-mast, wear mourning bands, and suspend public entertainment activities.

Article 9. Venue for the Funeral and Burial Site

1. The National Funeral is held at the Funeral Hall No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if the deceased was in Hanoi) or the Funeral Hall of Military Hospital 175, Ho Chi Minh City (if the deceased was in Ho Chi Minh City).

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

3. In cases where the family wishes for cremation or burial in their hometown, the Funeral Organization Committee is responsible for organizing it in accordance with Articles 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of Chapter II of these Rules.

Article 10. Decorations of the Memorial Platform and Guarding the Coffin

1. The memorial platform is decorated with a black background, featuring the national flag with a mourning band, a photo of the deceased, and white letters reading "We deeply mourn comrade... ".

2. The altar is placed centrally below the platform, with an incense burner and cushion for medals; six representative wreaths are fixed on both sides of the altar.

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

4. The Funeral Organization Committee assigns high-ranking cadres to guard when high-level delegations from the Central Party, National Assembly, President, Government, and Vietnam Fatherland Front come to pay respects.

5. During the wake, four military officers in ceremonial uniforms stand guard at each corner of the coffin room; six honor guards stand guard under the platform, and a military band serves the wake, memorial service, and funeral procession.

Article 11. Wreaths during the Wake

1. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares six representative wreaths with red ribbons bearing golden letters from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, National Assembly, President, Government, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family, placed fixed on both sides of the altar.

2. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares twenty rotating wreaths. Delegations bringing wreaths attach black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m with white letters "We deeply mourn comrade..." and smaller letters indicating the delegation's name, which are attached to the prepared wreaths.

Article 12. Wake

1. The Funeral Organization Committee arranges delegations to pay respects.

2. When visiting, the delegations proceed in formation: 01 military officer leading the delegation at the front, followed by 02 soldiers carrying wreaths, then the Head of Delegation and other members of the delegation walking in two columns.

3. After the visit, the Head of Delegation signs the condolence book.

4. Those who come to pay respects wear a small black mourning band on their chest.

5. During the visit, the song "Hồn tử sĩ" is played.

Article 13. Organizing visits for foreign delegations

1. The Funeral Committee organizes for delegations from abroad, diplomatic missions, consular offices, representative offices of international organizations in Vietnam, and other foreign agencies and individuals (hereinafter referred to as foreign delegations) who wish to pay respects and sign the condolence book in accordance with Article 12, Chapter II of this Regulation.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs guides Vietnamese representative offices abroad to set up altars, welcome organizations and individuals, both Vietnamese and foreigners, to pay respects and sign the condolence book.

Article 14. Memorial service

1. Participants in the memorial service include: the State Funeral Committee, the Funeral Organization Committee, the family, and representatives of agencies, units, and localities where the comrade worked before and after passing away.

2. Positions of delegations attending the memorial service:

The family stands on the left side of the funeral hall (facing towards the stage);

Party and State leaders stand on the right side of the funeral hall (facing towards the stage);

Delegations of departments, mass organizations, forces standing guard, and the military band stand according to the arrangement of the Funeral Organization Committee.

3. Program of the memorial service:

The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the opening of the memorial service;

Military music plays the National Anthem;

The Head of the State Funeral Committee reads the eulogy;

The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the start of the moment of silence;

During the moment of silence, military music plays the song "Hồn tử sĩ";

The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the end of the moment of silence and the memorial service.

4. At the same time as the memorial service is held in the central location, local leaders organize a memorial service in the hometown of the deceased.

Article 15. Funeral procession

1. Participants in the funeral procession are the same as those in the memorial service (Clause 1, Article 14, Chapter II of this Regulation).

2. Forces serving the funeral procession, prepared by the Ministry of Defense, carry out the transfer of the coffin and flowers from the funeral hall to the hearse and from the hearse to the grave site according to military protocol.

3. When transferring the coffin from the funeral hall to the hearse and from the hearse to the grave site: 03 soldiers carry the National Flag, photo, and cushion of medals in front; members of the Funeral Committee walk in two rows beside the coffin; other members and the family follow behind the coffin.

Article 16. Forces and means serving the funeral procession

1. Forces serving the funeral procession, prepared by the Ministry of Defense, include: A ceremonial honor guard of three military branches: 60 soldiers; A flag detail; 01 commanding officer; A team of soldiers responsible for moving the coffin and flowers.

2. The vehicle fleet serving the funeral procession, prepared by the Ministry of Defense, includes: 01 hearse; 01 vehicle for the flag, photo, and cushion of medals; 03 vehicles for the ceremonial honor guard of three military branches; and 01 flower vehicle.

3. The coffin covered with the national flag is placed in a glass case on top of the hearse.

Article 17Burial ceremony

1. After soldiers move the coffin to its burial position, the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee announces the commencement of the burial ceremony.

2. A team performs the burial duties.

3. The Head of the Funeral Organization Committee invites Party and State leaders, the family to place the first handful of earth and circle around the grave for the final farewell.

4. The team continues to complete the grave.

5. While the burial ceremony is being conducted, military music plays the song "Hồn tử sĩ".

Article 18. 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 and serving the funeral are funded by the state budget.

Chapter 3:

NATIONAL FUNERAL

Article 19. Comrades holding or having held the following positions when passing away shall be organized a state funeral

1. Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party;

2. Vice President;

3. Deputy Prime Minister;

4. Vice Chairman of the National Assembly;

5. Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front;

6. Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court;

7. Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuracy;

8. Marshal, Senior General of the armed forces.

In cases where comrades with the above positions have been disciplined, the organization of the funeral is decided by the Politburo.

Article 20: Announcing the death notice

Depending on the position of the deceased, the death notice is announced in the name of all or some of the following organizations 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 21. The Funeral Committee and the Funeral Organization Committee

1. The Funeral Committee is decided by the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, consisting of 20 to 25 members representing the Politburo, the Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the agency or locality where the deceased worked or lived.

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

3. The Funeral Organization Committee is decided by the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, consisting of 10 to 15 members assisting the Funeral Committee.

Article 22. Eulogy and Condolence Speech

Preparing the eulogy and thank-you speech is carried out in accordance with Article 6, Chapter II of this Regulation.

Article 23. Announcing news about the funeral

The People's Army Newspaper, the People's Public Security Newspaper, the Hanoi New Newspaper, the Liberation Newspaper, Voice of Vietnam Radio, Vietnam Television announce the death notice; biography and photo of the deceased; information about the visitation, memorial service, burial, and thank-you speech of the Funeral Committee.

"d) Within no more than one working day from the date of receiving the dossier submitted for administrative procedures by the specialized agency assigned by the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall issue a notification of the result of the inspection of plant-based food exports or a certificate at the request of the importing country.". Place of funeral organization and place of burial

Follows the provisions of Article 9, Chapter II of this Regulation.

Article 25. Decorating the memorial stage and guarding the coffin

1. The memorial stage is decorated with a black background, featuring the photo of the deceased and white letters reading "Deeply mourn comrade ...".

2. The altar is placed in front and center of the background, under the stage; it has an incense burner and a cushion of medals; six representative wreaths are placed on either side of the altar.

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

4. A smaller altar is placed below, with an incense burner for the Head of Delegation to light during the visit.

5. The Funeral Organization Committee assigns officials from the main managing agency where the deceased worked or lives to guard the coffin when high-level delegations from the Central Party, National Assembly, State President, Government, and Vietnam Fatherland Front come to pay respects.

During the wake process, in the funeral hall, there shall be four military officers in uniform standing guard at each corner of the coffin, and a military band shall serve the wake, memorial service, and funeral procession.

Article 26. Wreaths during the wake

1. The Funeral Organization Committee prepares six representative wreaths with red ribbons bearing golden letters from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, National Assembly, President, Government, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family, placed fixed on both sides of the altar.

2. The Funeral Committee shall prepare fifteen rotating wreaths. Delegations attending the wake shall bring black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m with white letters reading "Deeply mourn comrade...", below which is a smaller line indicating the name of the organization to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Committee.

Article 27. Wake; memorial service; funeral; forces and means serving the funeral; burial ceremony; construction of the tomb and costs for state-level funerals shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of Chapter II of this Regulation.

Article 28. Organizing visits for foreign delegations

1. The Funeral Committee shall organize for foreign delegations to attend the wake in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 13 of Chapter II of this Regulation.

2. Vietnamese representative offices abroad shall not organize wakes.

Chapter 4:

FUNERAL FOR HIGH-RANKING PERSONNEL

Article 29. Current or former high-ranking officials under the management of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (excluding positions specified in Articles 3 and 19 of Chapter II of this Regulation); outstanding social, cultural, and scientific figures holding the First-Class Independence Medal while working or retired when deceased shall be organized a high-level funeral.

In cases where the deceased was disciplined, the organization of the funeral shall be decided by the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Article 30. Announcing the news of death

1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the agency that directly managed the deceased, either currently or previously, shall announce the news of death for Central Committee members.

2. For other positions, the announcement shall be made by the agency that directly managed the deceased, the local party committee, government, or the hometown or place of residence of the deceased.

3. The news of death shall be published in the People's Newspaper and Vietnam Television.

Article 31. Funeral Committee

1. The Funeral Committee shall be established by the leadership of the main managing agency or the local government where the deceased worked or worked previously, consisting of ten to fifteen representatives from political organizations and social-political organizations under the main managing agency or the locality.

2. The Chairperson of the Funeral Committee shall be a leader from the main managing agency or the local party committee or government.

Article 32. The organization of the funeral and preparation of the eulogy shall be conducted by the main managing agency or the local party committee or government where the deceased worked or worked previously, together with the family.

Article 33. Venue for the Funeral and Burial Site

1. The funeral shall be held at the Funeral Hall No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi (if the deceased passed away in Hanoi); at the Military Hospital 175 Funeral Hall (if the deceased passed away in Ho Chi Minh City). If the deceased passed away elsewhere, it shall be carried out according to the regulations of the locality.

2. For officials under the management of the Politburo; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific figures holding the First-Class Independence Medal when deceased shall be buried at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi (if the deceased passed away in Hanoi), at Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery (if the deceased passed away in Ho Chi Minh City); at local cemetery or cremated according to the wishes of the family.

3. Other officials when deceased shall be buried at the local cemetery or cremated according to the regulations of the locality.

Article 34. Decorations of the altar and guard duty

1. The altar shall be decorated with a black background, on which the image of the deceased and white letters reading "Deeply mourn..." shall be affixed.

2. A small altar shall be placed before and centrally under the background, below the stage, with a censer.

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. Leaders and key cadres of the main managing agency or locality shall stand on the right side of the funeral hall (facing the stage) when high-level delegations of the Party, National Assembly, Government, Front, and political organizations come to pay respects..

6. The family shall stand on the left side of the funeral hall (facing the stage).

Article 35. Wreaths during the wake, funeral car

1. The Funeral Committee shall prepare fifteen rotating wreaths. Delegations attending the wake shall bring black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m with white letters reading "Deeply mourn..." to be attached to the wreath prepared by the Funeral Committee.

2. The funeral car shall be prepared by the main managing agency or the locality where the deceased worked or worked previously.

Article 36. Wake

1. The Funeral Organization Committee arranges delegations to pay respects.

2. When paying respects, delegations shall form a line: two soldiers carrying the wreath leading, followed by the Head of the delegation and other members walking in two columns.

3. After the visit, the Head of Delegation signs the condolence book.

4. Those attending the wake shall wear a small black mourning ribbon on the left chest.

5. During the visit, the song "Hồn tử sĩ" is played.

Article 37. Memorial service

1. Participants in the memorial service include: the Funeral Committee, representatives from agencies and organizations where the deceased worked or worked previously; the hometown or place of residence of the deceased and the family.

2. Positions of delegations participating in the memorial service (facing the stage):

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

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

Other delegations stand according to the arrangement of the Funeral Committee.

3. Program of the memorial service:

A representative of the Funeral Committee shall declare the opening of the memorial service;

The Head of the Funeral Committee shall read the eulogy;

Moment of silence and conclusion of the memorial service.

During the memorial service, the song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier" shall be played.

Article 38. Funeral procession

1. Participants in the funeral procession shall be the same as those in the memorial service (Clause 1 of Article 37 of Chapter IV of this Regulation).

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

3. The House of Funerals' service team and the agency where the deceased worked or worked previously shall be responsible for moving the coffin and flowers onto the funeral car and from the car to the grave site.

Article 39. Burial ceremony

1. After the coffin has been moved to the grave site, the Head of the Funeral Committee shall declare the start of the burial ceremony.

2. A team performs the burial duties.

3. The Funeral Committee, delegations, and the family shall throw the first handful of earth and walk around the grave site for the final farewell.

4. The team continues to complete the grave.

5. During the burial ceremony, the song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier" shall be played.

Article 40. Building the tomb and costs

The tomb shall be constructed of granite, with dimensions according to current regulations. Costs for constructing the tomb and serving the funeral shall be taken from the funeral expenses fund according to the Social Insurance Regulations of Vietnam, with any shortfall covered by the state budget.

Chapter 5:

FUNERAL FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, CIVIL SERVANTS, AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHEN DECEASED

Article 41. Announcing the news of death

1. The agency directly managing the deceased person at the time of death, or the local party committee and administrative authority of the deceased's hometown or place of residence shall be named to announce the funeral arrangements on local newspapers and radio stations where the deceased was working or retired.

2. The following individuals who have passed away shall have their obituaries published on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper:

Officials holding positions from Deputy Director of a Department, Deputy Head of a Division, Deputy Director of an Institute, or equivalent and higher positions;

Revolutionaries who were active before the August Revolution in 1945 and have been recognized by their agencies or competent authorities;

Civil servants with old salaries of 505 dong (as per Decree No. 235/HĐBT dated January 1, 1985) or new salary coefficients of 4.47 or equivalent (as per Decree No. 25/CP dated May 23, 1993) and higher;

Military personnel with ranks of Senior Colonel or higher;

Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, People's Artists, People's Doctors, and People's Teachers.

Article 42. Funeral Committee

1. The Funeral Committee shall be decided by the agency directly managing the deceased person, consisting of five to seven members representing political organizations, social-political organizations, and units within the agency or locality where the deceased was working or retired.

2. The Chairperson of the Funeral Committee shall be a leader or the Head of the unit, organization, or agency directly managing the deceased person.

Article 43. Venue for the Funeral and Burial Site

1. The funeral shall be held either at a local funeral home or at the family residence.

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

Article 44. Decorations for the funeral stage, wreaths, and funeral vehicles

1. The funeral stage shall be decorated with a black background, featuring a photo of the deceased and white letters reading "Deeply mourned Mr./Mrs. ... ".

2. A small altar shall be placed before and centrally under the background, below the stage, with a censer.

3. The family shall stand on the left side of the funeral hall (facing the funeral stage).

4. The coffin shall be placed centrally on the funeral stage, with the head facing the altar.

5. The Funeral Committee shall prepare no more than ten wreaths to be rotated. Delegations coming to pay respects shall bring black ribbons measuring 1.2m x 0.2m, with white letters reading "Deeply mourned Mr./Mrs. ..." to attach to the wreaths prepared by the Funeral Committee.

6. The funeral vehicle shall be prepared by the agency directly managing the deceased person, or by the hometown or place of residence of the deceased.

Article 45. The mourning ceremony, memorial service, funeral procession, and burial shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the local funeral home and the Cemetery Management Board.

Article 46. The costs for the funeral shall be covered by the Vietnam Social Security in accordance with Article 31, Part V, Chapter II of the Vietnam Social Security Regulations issued together with Decree No. 12/CP dated January 26, 1995 of the Government.

Chapter 6:

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 47.

1. The Organizing Committee - Government Staff shall guide and inspect the implementation of this Regulation; coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to provide detailed guidance on the implementation of this Regulation for officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers in the armed forces..

2. The Ministry of National Defense shall stipulate the honor guard units, duty officers, military bands, ceremonial vehicle formations, and funeral procession formations for state funerals and national-level funerals.

3. The Ministry of Public Security shall stipulate security work.

4. The Ministry of Finance shall specify the specific expenses and implement budget allocation and settlement for state funerals, national-level funerals, and high-level funerals.