Nowadays, many city dwellers choose to eat Western-style birthday cakes instead of noodles. According to the Marriage Law, a man may legally marry at age 22 and a woman at 20, by acquiring a marriage license issued by a marriage registration office, thus a wedding ceremony is not a necessary legal procedure for marriage registration, but only a way for relatives and friends to congratulate the bride and groom. In return, their colleagues and friends will present the newlyweds with gifts. Funeral ceremonies in China are very simple. Usually, a memorial meeting is held to pay last respects to the deceased and allow the living to express their grief.
Cremation is the rule in cities, and interment in rural areas.
White is the traditional color of mourning, but city people nowadays usually wear black gauze armbands to show their bereavement. AsianInfo.org - All Rights Reserved.