A Guide To Taoist Funeral Customs & Traditions In Singapore

Taoist funeral services in Singapore is an elaborate multi-day ritual (typically 3-7 days) aimed at guiding the deceased's soul to the afterlife, usually involving chanting by Taoist Priests, the burning of paper offerings (Paper Houses, Paper Cars, Joss Papers), and traditional, dialect specific customs such as Treasury Money (Ku Qian 库钱).

Wake Services are held at HDB void decks, Funeral Parlours or an Open Space setting with cost ranging from $7588 for basic Taoist funeral packages. Family can also opt for premium larger Taoist funeral rites & prayers services according to their needs and preferences.

What is a Taoist Funeral ?

A Taoist is a traditional, ritual-rich ceremony aimed at guiding the deceased's soul to the afterlife. Taoist Funerals in Singapore are specifically tailored based on the different dialects groups that are present in Singapore. With different funeral setups and rituals organized for different dialect groups - Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainanese

Based on the dialect group of the family, specific rites, customs and music are performed by specific Taoist Priests (道长).

What are the Taoist Funeral Traditions & Customaries ?

Taoist funeral customaries in Singapore consists of elaborated, deeply symbolic rites that are rooted in Chinese beliefs. The ceremonies are led by Taoist Priest of the same dialect group. Traditions & Customaries differ slightly according to different dialects, often includes :

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

Wake Duration - Typically last for an odd number of days (3 / 5 / 7 days) to symbolize the incomplete cycle of life and the hope for a good reincarnation

Altar Setup - A central altar is setup with Taoist lanterns according to the dialect group of the family

Priests Chanting - Taoist priests of the same dialect group lead prayers and chanting in the same dialect to help the soul find peace and navigate the afterlife

Offerings - Traditional Food Offerings based on the dialect group, candles, incense and flowers

Paper Offerings - A major feature of Taoist customs is the burning of elaborate Paper Effigies (Zhi Zha), such as (Paper Houses, Paper Cars, Paper Servants, Joss Papers, Treasury Money (Ku Qian 库钱) to ensure the deceased has comfort and wealth in the next life and to repay any karma (Yin Debts 阴债)

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

Mourning Period - 49 day period (Ji-Ling 寄灵) is significant with special prayers occuring every 7th day

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

Pre-Funeral practices in Taoist Traditions

To focus on preparing the soul for the afterlife, the deceased body is gently cleaned and dressed in clothing preferred by their family. Family can also opt to dress their loved one in A longevity clothing (寿衣) which is a premium, specialized multi layered, traditional attire for deceased, symbolizing the deceased has lived a long and fulfilled life (good life).

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 or Funeral Parlour).

What Happens During the Taoist Funeral Wake duration

A Taoist Funeral Service Wake usually last between 3 to 7 days, giving family and friends time to pay their final respects and show support for the soul's peaceful transition.

Ceremonies are often led by Taoist priests who provide spiritual guidance for the deceased through prayers & chanting. The ceremonies are aimed at ensuring the deceased's soul safely navigates the afterlife and attains peace, focusing on filial piety.

The wake begins with the resounding strike of a gong or bell, signaling the start of funeral rites. The soul-calling ritual (啟靈招亡) is crucial, where the priest creates a "pass" to ensure the soul's safe passage to the ritual site.

A dedicated altar (according to the dialect group of the family) is set up with a photo of the deceased, candles, flowers, fruits and food offerings, drinks. Incense is burned as a symbol of purification and reverence. Paper offerings, such as (Paper Houses, Paper Cars, Paper Servants, Joss Papers, Treasury Money (Ku Qian 库钱) are customary at the wake.

Burning of joss papers in a stainless steel bowl is also unique to Taoist customs as it symbolizes providing for the deceased in the afterlife ensuring that the departed soul has sufficient financial resources in their journey towards afterlife.

Visitors are expected to dress modestly in neutral / dark colours, bow before the altar, offer incense, and extend condolences and support to the family. It is also customary to give condolence money (Bai Jin), to help with funeral expenditures.

On the final day, a final viewing of the casket is held, offering mourners a quiet and intimate moment for farewell.

For cremation, before moving off from the wake location, the casket is respectfully sealed and carried to the hearse, accompanied by a funeral procession. Family members will follow and walk behind the hearse for a short duration before boarding the bus.

At the crematorium, the service concludes with a final Taoist priest-led chanting, a eulogy, flower offerings by loved ones and visitors. A final symbolic circling of the casket by loved ones is held for a final heartfelt farewell.

Cremation or Burial

Both cremation and burial are accepted in Taoist traditions. Families can opt to choose according to their needs and preferences.

In Singapore, cremation is the preferred and more common method for Taoist funerals, due to the land scarcity nature of Singapore and the burial plot lease duration limit.

Post-Funeral Ash Management of Buddhist 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 Private Columbarium (e.g. 三清宫), Buddhist temples (e.g. 光明山) or a Siang Teng

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)

Post-Funeral Practices of Buddhist Funeral

Families continue to to honour their loved ones after the funeral through memorial prayer services held on the 7th, 21st, 49th and 100th days of the loved ones passing. These services include Taoist priest-led prayers and offerings to support the deceased's spiritual journey.

Many families also practise ongoing ancestor worship at home or in temples, especially during festivals like Qing Ming and the 7th Month Hungry Ghost Festival, as a way to show lasting respect and remembrance.