A Guide To Christian Funeral Customs & Traditions In Singapore

Christian funeral services in Singapore focuses on celebrating the deceased's life and hope in resurrection. The funeral wake usually last between 3 to 5 days. Wake services are held at HDB Void decks, Funeral Parlours or Churches with cost ranging from $3,888 for basic Christian funeral packages. Families can also opt for premium customized & tailored setups that can be crafted according to their needs.

What is a Christian Funeral ?

A Christian Funeral is a meaningful ceremony held to honour and remember the life of the deceased, guided by the beliefs and traditions of the Christian faith. The wake service offers a time for family and friends to gather, remember their loved one, and find comfort and peace in shared prayers, readings and hymns.

What are the Christian Funeral Traditions & Customaries ?

Christian funeral customaries in Singapore consists of nightly prayer meetings, Bible readings, hymns, and a final committal service during cremation or burial. Traditions & Customaries includes:

Funeral Wake Venue - Usually at HDB void decks, Funeral Parlours or Churches

Altars Setup - Memorial altar set up with photo of the deceased (with offerings of candles, flower arrangements, Bible or Scripture)

Nightly Prayer - Nightly prayer sessions led by church members or Pastors

Service of Remembrance - Pastor leads service including worship music (e.g. Amazing Grace), Scripture readings (e.g. Psalm 23), and a sermon focusing on eternal life

Eulogies - Family members and friends are given time to share memories and reflections on the departed Committal Service - takes place at crematorium or burial site, where the pastor offers final prayers and hands the deceased over to god's care

Dress Code - Funeral attire for family members, modest neutral colour clothes for visitors

What are the procedures to a Christian Funeral Service Wake in Singapore ?

Pre-Funeral practices in Christian Traditions

Notifying Clergy or Church of Death Notifying the local church of clergy about the loved one's passing is done to coordinate the funeral service in line with the church's traditions and the family's wishes. The clergy can assist with setting the date, organising rites, selecting hymns, and guiding the overall order of service. Engaging An experienced Funeral Director / Company An experienced funeral director or company will help manage the complex logistics of setting up the funeral wake and planning the ceremonial aspects of the funeral service. The deceased body is gently cleaned and dressed in clothing preferred by their family. Embalming for the deceased body to prevent decomposition until cremation or burial, while makeup applied on the deceased leaves a dignified impression of them for their loved ones.

After which, the deceased will be brought back to the place of wake (usually HDB Void deck, Funeral Parlour or Church setting).

What Happens During the Christian Funeral Wake duration

Wake or Vigil - A Christian Funeral Service Wake usually last between 3 to 5 days, giving family and friends time to pay their final respects and show support to the family.

A dedicated altar is set up with photo of the deceased, with offerings of candles, flower arrangements and Bible or Scripture. The wake begins with opening prayers or blessings.

Nightly prayer sessions are led by church members or Pastors. Bible readings with focus on eternal life and hope for the departed.

On the final night, Pastor leads Service of Remembrance including worship music (e.g. Amazing Grace), Scripture readings (e.g. Psalm 23), and a sermon focusing on eternal life.

Deeply personal and touching eulogies are delivered by family members and friends to share personal memories with the loved one. This allow everyone to come together and reflect on the departed. The funeral service ceremony also end off with thanking and showing appreciation for those who have made the effort to attend the funeral service.

Visitors are expected to dress modestly in neutral / dark colours. This attire signifies solemnity and reverence. It is also customary to give condolence money (Bai Jin), to help with funeral expenditures.

On the final day, opening prayers and hymns together with bible readings are conducted before moving off to the crematorium or cemetery.

Committal Service (Cremation or Burial)

At the crematorium or cemetery, a short committal service led by the pastor with final prayers and blessings done for the departed. A final viewing of the departed is conducted together with offering of flowers by loved ones and visitors.

Cremation or Burial ?

Families can choose between cremation or burial according to their preferences. Due to Singapore's land scarcity, cremation is a often the preferred choice.

Post Funeral Ash Management of Christian Funeral

After cremation, ashes are collected and placed into an urn. Common locations for urns to be stored in Singapore are as follow :

Government Columbarium - The urn is placed in a niche at a government columbarium, such as Mandai Columbarium & Choa Chu Kang Columbarium

Private Columbarium - The urn is placed in a niche at a private columbarium, such as Christian Columbarium (e.g. The Garden of Remembrance)

For families who prefer not to house their loved one in a columbarium, other options such as :

Inland Ash Scattering - Ashes are scattered over soil at designated areas like the Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang and Garden of Serenity at Mandai

Sea Burial - Ashes are wrap in cloth or stored in biodegradable urn and lowered into the sea, representing freedom and a peaceful return to nature

Burial Services - The Burial Casket is buried into designated plot at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery using the Crypt Burial System (CBS)