Choosing a funeral director
When choosing a funeral director:
Contact a few funeral directors to find a suitable one.
Get pricing details and find out your options for the services and items.
Your considerations will differ depending on the type of funeral you’re planning for.
For Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Taoist, or Non-religious funerals
Holding a wake
Ask about your options for the:
location of the wake (for example, HDB void deck, funeral parlour)
duration of the wake
floral arrangements
Ask if the package price includes:
embalming, dressing and makeup services
set-up of the wake (for example, toilets, tables, chairs)
food and drinks (for example, snacks, drinks, catering)
Arranging a cremation
Ask about your options for:
the type of casket
handling of the person’s remains (for example, storage of ashes, sea burial)
Ask if the package price includes:
cremation fee
niche fee
ash collection service
Arranging a burial
Ask about your options for the:
the type of casket
type of tombstone, monument or plaque
Ask if the package price includes:
burial fee
For Hindu funerals
Holding a wake
Ask about your options for the:
location of the wake (for example, home, funeral parlour)
ceremonial services (for example, ritual bathing)
abishegam and prayer items
floral arrangements and garlands
Ask if the package price includes:
embalming, ritual bathing, dressing and makeup services
set-up of the wake (for example, toilets, tables, chairs)
drinks
Arranging a cremation
Ask about your options for:
the type of casket
handling of the person’s remains (for example, storage of ashes, sea burial)
Ask if the package price includes:
cremation fee
ash collection service
transport for family members
Arranging a burial
Ask about your options for the:
the type of casket
type of tombstone, monument or plaque
Ask if the package price includes:
burial fee
For Muslim funerals
Holding a wake
Ask about your options for the:
location of funeral rites (for example, home, mosque)
Ask if the package price includes:
qualified Imam and Tukang Mandi for funeral rites
Transport for the deceased (for example, from hospital to home, home to cemetery)
transport for family members
drinks
Arranging a burial
Ask about your options for the:
set-up of grave (for example, signboard, carpet grass, headstone)
Ask if the package price includes:
burial fee
additional fees if you leave the cemetery at a later time
fees for services performed on Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Haji