The 2 Most Important Factors that Impacts the Funeral Cost in Singapore

It is normal for you to fret over the mere mention of your death but it is important to acknowledge this natural phenomenon as it is also a fact of life. By accepting that all of us will eventually leave this world, you can plan your funeral in advance.

In Singapore, there are several religious groups and hence you can find funeral companies providing different types of funeral and memorial services that cater to the customs of each religious community. If you believe in Buddhism, you can pre-plan your Buddhist funeral in Singapore with some financial planning to reduce your family’s burden once you are gone.

1. Get the essential papers prepared in advance

Planning for your Buddhist or Taoist funeral in advance will help in reducing both the financial and emotional burden from your family. It can also help them in making the best decision at the time of the funeral and memorial and abide by your last wishes. You should also consider getting a LPA and AMD. The LPA, Lasting Power of Attorney is a document which signifies the appointment of an entity who can make crucial decisions on your behalf in case you lose your mental capabilities. The AMD or Advance Medical Directive is a document acting as a legal refusal to the medical team for any life-sustaining treatments for prolonging your life once you become terminally ill.

2. Arranging for funeral expenses based on the type of funeral

The cost of a funeral varies depending on the type of funereal ceremony you wish to host, such as a Taoist, Chinese, Christian or Buddhist funeral. The funeral packages differ from one company to another but you can get a good deal if you research a little and get quotations from several funeral parlours.

Usually, a funeral package consists of the casket, hair and makeup, prayer service, embalming, food, tables, and commissioning of casket.

Explore the web for more information and suggestions on arranging your funeral in advance. You can get in touch with various service providers to seek information about packages they offer to support Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and even Taoist funeral in Singapore to be sure that you get what exactly you are paying for.

Top 3 Benefits of Planning Your Funeral While You Are Alive

Death is never easy and most people avoid talking or thinking about it. Besides who thinks about their own death? While it is obvious to feel uncomfortable about death, it is important to consider pre-planning your funeral. The option is offered by almost every funeral home and can help your family at the grieving time.

There are many funeral homes in Singapore that offer pre-planning funeral services and you can explore your options and choose the one that suits your requirements. Here’s a look at some benefits of planning a funeral in advance:

1. Your wishes can be fulfilled

One of the main benefits of pre-planning is that your funeral and memorial service can be performed according to your wishes. Some people want to be cremated instead of buried, or have a preference for a certain type of casket or flowers. These wishes can be realised by planning your funeral in advance. Many people mention their last wishes in their will, but here you can arrange for your last wishes to be fulfilled at the time of funeral or memorial service.

2. Pre-planning reduces the burden on the family

In most cases, the family doesn’t even get a chance to grieve as they have to force themselves to organise the funeral. Instead of having time to heal, they get stressed. Things / activities finalised during your funeral pre-planning process can be executed by the funeral director without burdening the family.

3. Financial assistance

Arranging for funeral and memorial services is an expensive affair and the cost is often borne by the family. However, with funeral pre-planning you don’t have to worry about how the family will manage the finances. You can save and keep some money aside for the family. This also protects your family from a future rise in the cost of service.

Explore the web for more information and suggestions on pre-planning funeral services for yourself and ask for special assistance to fulfil your desires and expectations. You can book an appointment with the funeral home and brief them about your preferences and expectations to help them design a customised funeral package to meet your diversified requirements.

A Comprehensive Guide for Etiquettes and Traditions of a Christian Funeral

As per Christian beliefs, dying is simply the end of a person’s life on earth, with their soul living on in the afterlife. If you are attending a Christian funeral, expect a lot of prayers and references to heaven. The Christian funeral has three goals:

- Reflect on a person’s life on earth

- Pray to the Lord that the deceased enters heaven

- Offer strength to family and friends to cope with the loss

In Singapore, a Christian funeral is one of the most common types of funerals alongside Taoist, Buddhist, and Chinese funerals. If you are going to attend a Christian funeral service in Singapore for the first time, it is important to know the etiquettes and traditions so as not to offend anyone unknowingly.

Traditions at a Christian funeral:

The funeral is held a week after the death and there may be a wake or viewing if the family prefers. The funerals are mostly held in a church led by a priest or minister which is followed by the burial. If the family goes for cremation, the ashes of the loved one are kept in a cremation urn.

Funeral etiquettes

The Christian funeral service is led by a minister and prayers are said. The guests are encouraged to sing and read along with the proceedings. The dress code at a Christian funeral is dark colours, with men dressing up in black suits and a tie while women normally don black pantsuits/ skirts/ dresses. In some communities, it is mandatory for women to wear hats too.

After the funeral, guests usually express a few words of sympathy for the grieving family. Attendees offer condolences and it typically happens outside the church.

A Christian funeral service typically lasts for half an hour but might be longer if there is a big crowd attending the funeral. You can bring flowers to the funeral and also write simple messages on a sympathy card for the grieving family.

Search the web for more information and suggestion on the customs and etiquettes of a Christian funeral services in Singapore. Also, you can seek advice of your family and close friends about what to do and what not to at a Christian funeral to avoid embarrassment and prevent yourself from offending their religious beliefs unknowingly.

What are the Essentials of a Traditional Buddhist Funeral?

Every community and religion has a different way of hosting a funeral and memorial service. While every community focuses on praying for the departed soul, their rituals differ from one another. In Singapore, Taoist, Christian, and Buddhist are the most common types of funeral. There is a significant population here which follows the Buddhist funeral practices after the demise of a loved one.

If you want to know more about the essence of a Buddhist funeral, here's a look:

1. When death is approaching

When a Buddhist is approaching death, close family and friends sit with the dying person and help them feel calm and peaceful. Death is inevitable and a dying person should be made to accept the reality. A small statue of Buddha can also be placed near the head of the dying person and protective verses can be chanted.

2. After death has occurred

It is believed that the body of the deceased should not be touched, moved, or disturbed in any way because the soul doesn't leave the body immediately after the breathing stops.

3. Preparing the body

The body must be completely cold before it can be washed and prepared for burial or cremation. The deceased must not be dressed in fancy clothes but in the regular clothes which they used to wear normally.

4. Organ donation

Organ donation or donating the body for medical research are both acceptable in Buddhism. A close family member should be contacted in this case to ask for any legal proof or documents which states that the deceased enrolled for organ donation in the past. Sometimes, family members may also agree to donate the body parts.

5. Cremation

Cremation is acceptable in Buddhism. If the body is to be cremated, monks should be present at the crematorium and lead chanting. Cremated remains should be collected by the family the next day and can be kept by family, enshrined in a columbarium or scattered at sea.

6. Memorial service

Buddhist memorial services can be held on the third, seventh, forty-ninth, and one-hundredth day after the death. Family members and close friends gather to cherish their memories and pray for a comfortable journey of the soul of the deceased.

Apart from Buddhist funeral, there are a lot of people who choose Christian funeral service in Singapore to ensure a safe journey for them or their family members. If you are a follower of Christianity, search the web for more information and suggestion on Christian funeral service in Singapore.

5 Reasons Experts Recommended Planning Your Funeral in Advance

Death is a universal truth but few people are fortunate enough to plan their last journey according to their preferences and desires. This might sound a novel concept to some, but in Singapore it has become a more common scenario.

More and more people are realising that pre-planning funeral service scan help the grieving family deal with their grief. After the death of a loved one, it is challenging to keep calm and arrange for the funeral and memorial services. Also, it can financially burden family members and increase the expenses incurred

.

Here’s a look at the top 5 reasons to pre-plan your funeral:

1. Ease the burden on family

If your wishes are unknown when you die, the family will be faced with a difficult situation of making all the decisions for your funeral. It is important for them to know if you wished to be buried or cremated or wanted an open or closed casket. Pre-planning the funeral will save them from this confusion.

2. Financial responsibility

One of the many benefits of pre-planning funeral services is that you can make financial arrangements to cover the cost of funeral. Funeral insurance and funeral trusts are some of the trustworthy planning alternatives that you can consider.

3. Meaningfulness

Funerals are an important ritual as it gives a sense of closure and enables the family to begin the healing process. It is important that your funeral/memorial is a meaningful event, which may not be possible for the family to plan in a short period of time.

4. Your final wish

If you are particular about the type of funeral, casket, flowers or other elements, you need to plan it in advance with help of the funeral director. Only then you can ensure that your last wishes are being followed.

5. Self-reliance

Preparing for your funeral in advance is a thoughtful and caring thing to do for your family. It is comforting to know that you have reduced the burden from your family.

In Singapore, Christian funerals are one of the most common types of funerals apart from the Taoist and Buddhist funerals. If you wish for a Christian funeral service after your death, explore the web for tips on choosing the best funeral director for Christian funeral. You can also explore the web to read more about why is it essential to take pre-planning funeral services to stay stress-free when you are leaving for the heavenly abode.

Six Types of Flowers Arrangements That Can Be Used at a Funeral Service

Sending your condolences to someone who’s had a loved one pass away is never easy. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to show your sympathies for a close friend in their time of need. In Singapore, Taoist, Buddhist, and Christian funerals are amongst the most popular, all of which are quite happy to display flowers in a show of love and support at the wake.

In some cases, the flowers may be used in a specific colour scheme or variety. If the last rites are to be performed as per Taoist funeral practices, you should select the flowers from the wide variety available in Singaporean market which are specially designed for funeral services. Most of the florists in Singapore are often aware of the flower types that are used at funeral services, so you may not need to explain everything to them.

Here’s a look at the type of flowers to be used at funeral service:

1. Posies in Baskets

Posies in baskets are a popular choice often available in a variety of contemporary as well as traditional designs. The flowers are circular in shape which allows the flowers and foliage to be displayed aptly.

2. Funeral spray

Funerals are quite popular types of flowers for expressing sympathy at the funeral services in Singapore. The sprays come in both double and single-ended designs. The double-ended sprays are used to adorn casket. The funeral sprays are available in huge variety of style, size, and colours.

3. Tied sheaf

A tied sheaf is a perfect option that can be offered to the deceased during last rites. You can also send them directly to the wake if you are not able to attend the funeral.

4. Wreaths

The floral wreaths are best known for the funeral and sympathy tributes. They come in a common circular design often seen at funeral services in Singapore. Wreaths come in a wide variety of designs, colour, and sizes.

5. Hearts

Offering a floral heart tribute makes a deep and personalized statement which is indicative of the love and compassion felt by family and friends of the deceased. If you have just lost a loving and caring friend, then you must present a floral heart to show your love for the deceased person.

6. Funeral crosses

The crosses are primary tribute offered to the deceases and are chosen by family and close friends. It not only depicts the faith of the family in the religion but is also used to pay homage to the deceased.

Explore web for more information on the places that sell flowers for Taoist funerals in Singapore.

Key Points to Consider When Choosing a Company for Funeral Arrangements

When you lose a loved one, it can be very difficult to overcome your feelings and be able to properly take care of all the necessary funeral preparations. The mind is not yet prepared to make decisions about the funeral. Fortunately, Singapore has several funeral companies which help in making the required arrangements and reducing the burden on your shoulders. But choosing the right company is important to suit your needs.

Here’s a look at some key points which can help in choosing a suitable funeral company:

1. Explore the options

The best place to carry out the research is the internet. Most of the funeral companies in Singapore have an online presence in form of a professional website and advertisements on the web. Carrying out extensive research with a location included will help in finding the most attractive options. You can have a look at their services and funeral packages before deciding on the company.

2. Reputation

It is recommended to opt for funeral services that have a good reputation in the market with at least a few years of experience to ensure they know what they are doing. You can ask people around and go through the testimonials to get an idea of the reputation the company holds in the market.

3. Services offered

Once you have shortlisted the vendors offering funeral services in Singapore, have a look at the services offered. Opt for funeral packages which cover everything from planning to execution stage such as pre-arrangements, picking the body, graveside services, caskets, burial and the like.

4. Customer care

Always choose a funeral company that is equipped with a well-trained and cordial staff who can behave compassionately. Sit with them and discuss the funeral arrangement process.

Consider starting to explore funeral options even before you need it. It gives you sufficient time to research and choose the best option available in your city. You can either explore the business directories of your country or browse the web to know more about vendors offering funeral services in your vicinity. It is advisable to conduct proper research and enquire about their charges in advance to avoid any future dispute. Start browsing! 

Five Advantages of Pre-Planning Your Funeral

Perhaps the best time to plan your funeral is at any time but the time of your funeral! If one can consider planning a wedding, birthday or anniversary celebration in advance, why not pre-plan a funeral?

Though it might sound alien and disconcerting to many, pre-planning a funeral can be an extremely wise decision. There are several service providers in Singapore which can help with planning your funeral in advance. If you are still sceptical about the concept, here is a look at 5 benefits of pre-planning your funeral:

1. Eliminating the burden to your family

If your wishes remain unknown at the time of your death, your family might have a tough time deciding if you want to be cremated or buried, whether you want an open or a close casket and how much to spend on the funeral. You can avoid all this confusion by leaving a plan behind.

2. Providing financial support during tough times

Planning in advance helps you to make the financial arrangements to cover the funeral cost. You can look for various funeral packages in Singapore and pick a suitable package that fits your budget. This will save your family from sudden huge expenses during your funeral.

3. For a meaningful funeral

The funeral is a time when the family is grieving and in the hassle of arranging for the funeral. The funeral should be a time to begin healing and honouring the lives of their loved ones, which is only possible if everything is planned in advance with funeral services in Singapore.

4. Final wishes to be followed

If you have specific preferences to be followed during the funeral, it is best to include them in your pre-planned funeral details. This way the funeral planners can arrange your expected funeral in the most accurate way.

5. Self-reliance

If you have been a self-reliant person throughout your life and wish to continue to be so at the time of your death, then you must plan your funeral in advance. It is comforting to know that you have done everything possible with help of funeral services in Singapore to ensure that you get a ceremony performed by professionals.

It may not be as exciting as planning a holiday, but planning your funeral can help you to eliminate all the woes that may worry your family at the time of your death. You can explore the web for more information on various pre-planned funeral packages in Singapore and book one that suits your requirements.

Top Five Unique Personalized Thank You Gift Ideas for Funeral

Many families make it a point to offer a thank you gift to the guests at the funeral in the memory of the deceased. Usually, prayer cards are kept by the guest book which the guests can take away upon their return after the funeral. However, times have changed and people are looking for newer, more meaningful ways to thank guests for coming; something both tangible and that adds meaning to the guests’ lives.

There are many funeral planning services in Singapore who take the entire responsibility of funeral arrangements and also offer unique ideas for gifting. Depending on the services provided, the funeral packages in Singapore might differ and you should choose the package that matches your requirements and fits in your budget.

Here are few unique ideas for significant thank you gifts that would be cherished by guests forever:

1. A book on the deceased 

You can get a small book published as a thank you gift and include interesting details of the person, their photographs, favourite quotes, songs or any such personal details. Ask the funeral management company if arrangements for such a gift is included in their funeral packages.

2. Recipes

If there was a specific recipe which was particularly beloved by the deceased person, you can go the extra mile and cook the dish, and then get it delivered to the guests along with its recipe. This way they can relish the taste of the dish and will forever have something that they can associate with the deceased.

3. Candles

Candles are one of the best thank you gifts which are also quite useful for guests as well. You can get customized candles made on order and gift them to the guests who have attended the funeral. Scented candles, floating candles, and many other forms are available in the market and you can choose the best ones based your requirement and budget.

4. Symbolic jewellery

You can get personalized bracelets or cuffs made for the guests with the deceased person’s name engraved on it which can be cherished forever.

5. Seeds/sapling

The seeds or saplings are a wonderful thank you gift which the guests can plant in their courtyard and remember the deceased person forever.

Apart from the above-mentioned gifts, there are hundreds of other innovative gifting options available. You can specify your budget to the funeral planning company and explore their funeral packages to make the best decision. Explore web for more information on innovative gifting ideas and get them included to funeral packages in Singapore to make someone’s last journey, most memorable one!