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.
