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.
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.
