Funeral Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the locations available for me to hold a wake?

HDB Precinct Pavilions
Funeral Parlours
Places of worship
Private Property

Is it required for all to go through with the embalming process if I want to have a wake?

It is not required by law for the body to be embalmed for a wake. However, we strongly encourage the deceased to be embalmed for the wake if it is an open casket wake as embalming preserves the appearance of the deceased.

Who should I reach out to if my loved one passed away at home?

Step 1:

Arrange for a trusted doctor or any doctor to make a visit down to your home to certify the death and issue the Certificate of Cause of Death (COD).

Or

Give a call to the police to arrange for the body to be sent to the Mortuary at HSA via a police hearse and from there, they will advise you on the next steps.

Step 2:

You can contact a trusted funeral service director and they will advise you on the next steps moving forward.

How long does a wake service usually last for?

It can last from 3, 5 to 7 days.

Planning Your Loved Ones’ Final Farewell

When planning a funeral, there are many details, from transportation arrangements to music choices and readings. Using this guide, you will learn how to plan a funeral service that best commemorates your loved one.

Check If There Are Any Pre-arrangements

Find out if the decedent made any preparations, such as purchasing a burial plot, getting insurance coverage for the funeral, or just documenting their wishes for a funeral service. If the decedent made such arrangements in the past, contact the funeral home where your loved one made their prearranged or prepaid funeral arrangements. It would save the decedent’s family the time, money, and worry of the funeral arrangements.

Choosing a Funeral Type & Arranging It

There are several ways to pay respects to the departed at a funeral. Traditional funeral ceremonies often consist of a visitation followed by a memorial ceremony; graveside services are also commonly held. Some people feel more at peace with the idea of cremation. In contrast, others would rather honour their memory with a memorial service for loved ones.

Portraits For The Departed

It’s time to dig out all the pictures from the album or your smartphone. Look at the images of your loved ones and pick the ones you or the family member like the most. It can be a black-and-white photo, a colour photo, or a full-body shot of the dearly departed.

Finding The Perfect Outfit

Clothes have always represented one’s personality and originality, and burial or cremation clothing is no exception. When choosing an outfit for a deceased loved one, it is best to reflect on who they were in life and how they dressed to find the most fitting garments. It can be their favourite colour, tuxedo, or wedding dress. Whatever you choose doesn’t matter, as long as it fits the dearly departed’s personality.

Funeral Music Aelection

Funeral songs should reflect the life of the deceased. Did they have a preferred musical genre or set of songs? It does not have to be the typical funeral music; it can be a song that signifies them. It’s a good idea to get input from those who know the person well, such as family and friends. They could offer insights that you are not aware of.

Picking The Right Flowers

The floral arrangement you select should express the same sentiments as your memories of the decedent. Was the deceased your lifelong partner? A close or far away relative? or maybe a close friend. Different flowers have different meanings, and various religions have their own customs when picking flowers for funerals.

Make-Up

Do you have any specific look you want the decedent to have for the funeral? It is best to keep the makeup as natural as possible. If the decedent had a beard, it is best to shave it to have a clean appearance.

Understanding Funeral Costs

Funeral planning is a sensitive and often expensive decision made during the most vulnerable stage of a person’s life. Depending on the funeral home you choose and the items you purchase, funeral ceremonies cost a lot. Inquire about the expected cost of acquiring what you need to do the job and begin planning for it.

Final Resting Place

What is the place where you would like your loved ones to rest peacefully? It can be a traditional burial at the family’s burial site. If your loved ones opt for cremation, you can scatter the ashes in a location that the deceased loved and place some of them in a columbarium. There are a lot of choices to make for their resting place.

Pre-planning Your Funeral

Are there any other specifics you’d like to include in the funeral? It can be anything that defines who you are; the items should be displayed with honour. The choice of whom to tell is yours to make. With their help, all your desires can come true. You can make your last wishes legally binding by including them in the will.

In the event of death

The first step is to

☑ Choose a Funeral Director.

☑ Download a digital copy of the Death Cert.

☑ Determine if the decedent is an organ donor.

☑ Contact family members and friends of the deceased.

Make a decision

☑ Choices of having an open casket service for family to say their goodbyes or a closed casket.

☑ What kind of funeral service do you want, and how would your loved one like to be honoured?

Making preparations

☑ A complete set of the decedent’s outfit (inclusive of undergarments, socks, and shoes)

☑ Picture references for the funeral director’s hairdo and makeup.

☑ Check the quality of the chosen photo to be enlarged for the funeral home.

☑ Chrisitan/Catholic- Make arrangements to have the pastor or priest attend the burial service or mass.

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Funeral Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Funeral Guide

Planning Your Loved Ones’ Final Farewell

Check If There Are Any Pre-arrangements

Choosing a Funeral Type & Arranging It

Portraits For The Departed

Finding The Perfect Outfit

Funeral Music Aelection

Picking The Right Flowers

Make-Up

Understanding Funeral Costs

Final Resting Place

Pre-planning Your Funeral

In the event of death

The first step is to

Make a decision

Making preparations

Arrangements for the rest of the funeral will be handled by the funeral director.

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