Appearing in countless mythologies and folklore across the world, Crows, Ravens, and other black birds have always carried the ability to travel between worlds, forming a bridge between life and death. Most often they’re considered to be a bad omen - or a stealer of souls.

In Vietnam, It’s believed when the person dies, their soul lingers around their body for roughly 49 days. Because after death, the spirit needs adequate time to leave the body, allowing them a smooth transition to the afterlife.

So the family traditionally keeps their body in the house for three days, allowing neighbors in the community an opportunity to say goodbye and pay their respects.

However, there are malicious spirits who aim to take advantage of souls during the time of transition. 

The Thần Trùng takes the form of a large dark bird, with a blood-red beak. After the funeral, it visits graves of the newly deceased, and pecks at the roof of their tomb or casket. The constant “tap….tap…tap” doesn’t allow the spirit to rest. The pecking won’t stop until the deceased spirit gives up the names of their living relatives.

Once the Thần Trùng has the list of names, it can capture and consume their souls. This entity preys on the bloodline connecting family members, even after death. People who died unnatural deaths are especially susceptible.

This was one of the explanations when families had multiple deaths within a short period of time. Creating the phenomenon of the “double funeral”.  

Thần Trùng translates to “God of Worms”. Though it sounds like an insect deity, both crows and insects consume corpses, so they’re seen as agents of decomposition and decay - associating them with death.

There are other spirits and entities that contribute to the fear of a double funeral.

Burial locations, dates, and times are very important. To bury someone on an inauspicious day is to invite bad luck. Because of this, if a person was improperly buried, it may cause their restless spirit to return and exact vengeance on the family.