Types of Funeral Services In Singapore
A funeral is a way to acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate the life of a loved one and give family and friends a final goodbye.
1. Wake or watch
A “wake” or “watch” is an informal gathering of people close to the deceased who wish to spend one last time with them before the actual funeral. Viewing usually occurs in the presence of a coffin, whereas modern wake occurs when the coffin is not visible.
2. Commitment to Service
Funeral service is a cemetery ritual that originated in Christianity. It symbolizes the delivery of people to their final resting place and usually follows the main funeral service.
3. Burial or cremation
Funeral and cremation services follow the main ceremony and represent the heart of any basic funeral. Unlike other elements that you can skip, it is essential to execute any of these elements. We\’ll compare the two in detail later in this overview.
4. Funeral Reception
A post-funeral reception is an optional service that gives family and friends the opportunity to spend time with each other and honor the life of the deceased. They are usually held in a more casual and comfortable setting, designed to your specific requirements.
5. Memorial Service
Many families are moving away from formal funeral traditions in favor of various styles of memorial services. They\’re a great way to create a more personalized celebration of your loved one\’s life.
No funeral, just cremation choices
Direct cremation
Direct cremation or basic cremation are terms describing a funeral service that doesn’t involve any ceremonies or rituals. It is a simple way to carry out cremation at a minimal cost. The only formality required is completing the relevant legal paperwork.
After the cremation process is completed, the remains of the deceased are handed to the relatives. Organizing a memorial service afterwards is a great opportunity to celebrate their life in a special and personalized way.
Scattering the ashes ceremony
Once you receive the remains of your loved one, you might want to think of a meaningful way to honour their ashes. This is a part of the grieving process, but you can still get creative to create a lasting memorial. There are a number of remarkable things to do with the ashes and you can even celebrate them with a special ceremony.
Some scattering ashes ceremony ideas are hosting a memorial event with a special firework display or burying them and planting a tree over with family and friends. Still, if you like more traditional approaches, you can store your loved one’s ashes in a bespoke urn that perfectly reflects their personality or scatter their ashes at a place that was special to them.
Christian funerals
Christian funerals are strongly influenced by the beliefs about death advocated by the church. They follow a strict structure of rituals and services according to the religious funeral etiquette.
The service takes place a week after death and begins with a reading of psalms from the Bible and personal readings. This is followed by Christian funeral songs, prayers, and a minute of silent time in memory of the deceased. The Christian funeral ends with a funeral rite of committal performed at the graveside before burying the body. Cultural rituals such as throwing dirt on the coffin by the priest and those close to the dead, are also common. They symbolize that the soul is released from the body and the deceased is returning to the earth as a final resting place.
Many Catholic families follow the Church of England funeral service which is slightly different. It begins with songs and introductory rites followed by Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Catholic funeral ends with final commendation and rite of committal when prayers are said before burial or cremation.
Non-religious and humanist funerals
Atheist funerals
As an increasing number of people adopt new philosophical life beliefs, atheist funerals are becoming more common. These funerals have no religious references but are still a way to honour the life of someone who has passed away. They celebrate the best moments of the deceased’s life. Memories and stories can be shared by loved ones. Music and readings are also common as they help the grieving family retain hope during their difficult time.
Humanist ceremonies
Similarly to atheist funerals, humanist & non-religious services are growing in prevalence. They follow a specific structure which is not restricted by a set script or rituals. It is important to find a humanist funeral celebrant who is qualified to host the funeral ceremony and perform the services you choose.
The ceremony is opened by music and welcoming words. It is followed by thoughts, readings, and tribute to a person’s life in a non-religious context. The last part of the humanist funeral includes a minute of silence, the committal service, and closing words to say a final goodbye.
Celebrations of life
Unlike the funeral, which is a more sombre occasion, a celebration of life is a memorial event that centres around the positive moments of a person’s life. As many traditions allow both mourn and rejoice, you can choose how to celebrate life in a way that is meaningful to the deceased. Whether you opt for a burial or cremation, you can hold a separate event to gather with close people and reflect on the person’s life.
If you already have any specific wishes regarding your funeral ceremony or final resting place, it does make sense to plan ahead of time. You will not only save from the ever-rising funeral costs but also prevent your family from extra hardship and hassle when the time comes. Contact Nirvana All-In-One Funeral Partner for professional services.