How much money should be given for funerals? Are there any taboos about funeral gifts?

In China, people have attached great importance to funeral customs since ancient times, especially in rural areas, where very traditional funeral rituals and customs are still preserved. When attending a funeral, you usually have to give a gift money. So how much money do you usually give as a funeral gift?

How much money is usually given for funerals?

1. The amount of money given as a gift for a funeral is usually 201 or 301. But no matter which one, you have to add one dollar at the end to indicate it is a funeral. According to folk sayings, odd numbers are better (such as 101, 301, 501, 701, 901, etc.) Of course, some places may not have this taboo, so it is not entirely limited to this.
2. When relatives and friends go to pay their respects, they usually bring gifts or cash gifts. The gift money should be sealed with yellow and blue labels, and "discount × yuan" should be written on the blue label in the middle. The words "Dian Jing × Yuan" are written on it. The gifts include plaques, funeral couplets, funeral banners, incense and candles, paper money, etc.

What are the taboos about funeral gifts?

1. The head is facing outwards:
The head facing outward means that the image of the character on the RMB is facing outside the hand. This is a rule that has been passed down for a long time. However, few people carry cash with them when they go out. But when we attend a funeral, it is best to take cash with the head of the cash facing outward. This can show our respect and is also beneficial to the feng shui of the funeral.
2. Mostly singular:
When giving gifts, the total amount of money should preferably be an odd number, such as three hundred, five hundred, seven hundred, etc. Funerals are not given in pairs, so generally do not give gifts in even numbers, otherwise it will seem like you are cursing the deceased's significant other.
3. Avoid bringing items back from the bereaved family:
Some bereaved families may be more generous, and after you give them a gift, they will give you something to take home and eat. This is strictly prohibited in Feng Shui.