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.

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.