The funeral is a sacred ceremony held after a person has died, it is usually concluded with the burial or cremation. However, since every country, culture and religion have a different practice there are certain guidelines in order to perform the rituals, ceremony and gathering in a solemn way.
In Singapore, there are 5 common types of funeral service namely, Christian, Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim, and Taoist. However, the Taoist funeral is followed by a majority of people. One can find several Taoist funeral package in Singapore which consists of funeral home services.
Here’s a look at the tradition followed in each type of funeral:
- Christian funeral
The Christian funeral service consists of setting up the venue where the casket is to be placed, provided with carpets, decorated with flowers and adorned with curtains. During the vigil families and friends gather to pay respects to the dead. After which they have an option of whether a burial or cremation is to take place. If the family chooses to have their loved one cremated, prior booking is needed and arrangements for the cremation are to be coordinated by the funeral director in Singapore. However, if they choose to bury the dead, the coffin is draped with a pall and the final rites is performed near the graveyard.
- Buddhist funeral
Buddhist funerals are different especially when dealing with the deceased body. Buddhists believe that the body of the dead should not be immediately touched, disturbed, or moved in any way, as the soul does not leave the body immediately after breathing stops. Religious memorial services are traditionally held on the third, seventh, forty-ninth and one-hundredth after the death though these are flexible if they don’t fit into the family’s schedule. If a wake is to be held, the room in which the body rests should be free from noise and should be calm and peaceful. The body should be placed in a simple casket and dressed simply. The casket should be open for the wake’s duration and an altar may be placed near the casket and may have the deceased image, an image of Buddha, candles, flowers, fruits, and incense. Chanting may take place during the wake and is performed by monks and laypeople.
- Catholic funeral
A Catholic Funeral consists of the three phases: The Vigil or wake, where friends and family gather to remember the dead and pay respects to the family. It may take place at home or a funeral parlour, a church, or some other location. Typically, a mass is held during the vigil lead by a priest. Eulogies are given by friends and family and there’s singing of hymns. The Funeral Mass, is held in church, at the entrance of the church the family and friends are gathered to sprinkle holy water as a reminder of baptism, a procession is done until the altar of the church is reached. Where a traditional Catholic mass will be said. After the mass, The Burial takes place, where the body is transported to a cemetery where, the final committal is done and presided over by a priest.
- Taoist funeral
One thing unique about the Taoist Funeral is the presence of mourners, who are often wearing sack cloths on white cotton shirts who cry loudly during the funeral. The loud crying symbolizes that the deceased was loved dearly. The room where the funeral is being held should have no mirrors. During the ceremony everyone is asked to wear white. As an addition to the white clothing men have to wear headbands and women wear hoods.
The Taoist funeral also features the burning ceremony, where the paper houses, cars, garments and paper servants are burned, this is in order to serve as the living place and clothing of the soul of the deceased. For a more thorough guidance on the rituals and traditions, you can get in book a Taoist funeral package for a well-planned ceremony.
- Muslim funeral
Unlike other customs where a wake is mandatory, as per Sharia law, the body is to be buried as soon as possible after the death. The mourning period officially lasts for 40 days, during that time, family members wear only black clothing. For one full year, the wife of the deceased on the other hand continues to wear black but the anniversary of the death is not observed.
Explore the web for more information on how to choose the funeral director in Singapore for performing various types of funeral and memorial services.
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