Fifty-two delegates from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand participated in the 15th Asian Liturgy Forum which was held at the Chateau de Chine Hotel in New Taipei City, Taiwan from October 17 to 21, 2011. This year's meeting, the fifteenth since the first was held in 1996, was convoked to study the challenges and possibilities of inculturating the rites of Christian funeral in the context and cultures of the member-countries. After a conference paper delivered by Rev. Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB, each of the participating countries took turns sharing their experiences of dealing with death and funeral in their respective countries.

In attendance at the opening liturgy and ceremonies were the Most Rev. Martin Su, D.D., Bishop of Taichung and President of the Commission for Sacred Liturgy of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference (CRBC), Most Rev. John Tseng, D.D, Bishop of Taiwan; Most Rev. Peter Liu, D.D., Archbishop of Kaohsiung; Most Rev. James Liu, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Hsinchu; Rev. Msgr. Paul Russell, Vatican Representative; Rev. Fr. Otfried Chan, Secretary General of CRBC; and Most Rev. Anthony Lee, D.D., of the Diocese of Miri (East Malaysia), Chairman of the Asian Liturgy Forum.

The discussions on the inculturation of the rites of funerals were grounded on the requirements of the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, art.81 that "the rite of funerals should express more clearly the paschal character of Christian death and should correspond more closely to the circumstances and traditions of various regions." After hearing from one another's sharing of experiences and cultural practices concerning death and funerals, the participants concluded that there is a need "to stress the importance of the rites of passage found in our local cultures that have resonance in our Christian tradition of journey from baptism to eternal life with reference especially to viaticum, final commendation, and funerals." They agreed, moreover, that "in situations where the local Church prefers to celebrate funeral liturgy, especially the Mass, in accord with the typical edition it might be pastorally beneficial to integrate, where possible, certain local elements of funerals, e.g. color of vestments, gestures, decorations, songs, musical instruments, and symbols."

On the basis of the foregoing considerations relating to the process of inculturating the rites of Christian funeral, the participants recommend: a) a study of the local practices and traditions of funeral rites with the assistance of local experts in sociology, cultural anthropology, music, theology, and liturgy; b) giving due importance to the role of the community in the celebration of funerals especially in the absence of a priest so that continuous prayers may be offered at the time of sickness, death, wake, burial, and beyond and that the local episcopal commissions on liturgy compose appropriate prayers for such occasions; c) catechesis on the Church's doctrine concerning death and the afterlife and the future resurrection in Christ, addressing also the belief in reincarnation and superstitious elements that are incompatible with our Christian faith.

Finally, the forum participants encourage the conferences of bishops in the region "to take advantage of the wide margin for inculturation offered by the Rite of Christian Funerals especially as regards the development of local funeral liturgies on condition that the basic elements of Christian funeral contained in the typical edition are maintained." They gratefully attributed the success of the meeting to the generosity of the Most Rev. Martin Su, D.D., President of the Commission for Sacred Liturgy, Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference, and to the efficient collaboration of Fr. Charles Pan, CM, and his staff.