Most funeral planning in Singapore are accompanied by a set of ceremonies. Some of these are elaborate and stretch into a week. Others require rituals at specific intervals. It is here that you can see the island’s diverse demographic – presenting influences from various cultural and ethnic traditions, each with their own unique considerations. Most often, religious needs are often the most important funeral plan to fulfil. But what of the non-religious individual?
For secular individuals seeking end-of-life arrangements, it is good to know that there are few legalities to adhere to when it comes to the actual funeral process. In fact, a non-religious individual can free themselves of the typical stages of a traditional funeral, and explore alternative approaches that can save on time and costs. This can sometimes be done to relieve the family of any financial or emotional burden.
In contrast to traditional religious ceremonies, non-religious funeral planning in Singapore typically does not include:
- Religious rituals or prayers led by clergy members.
- References to religious scripture or doctrine in the setup.
- Belief-based concepts such as an afterlife or salvation being displayed or discussed.
In fact, at its most minimal, the only steps required for a secular funeral is to register the death, have the departed be cremated, and collect the ashes. Beyond that, it is entirely up to the family or friends to plan.
Planning a secular funeral involves considerations that differ from traditional religious ceremonies. Non-religious individuals often prefer a meaningful and personalised farewell for themselves or their loved ones, which can vary greatly from person to person. This can all be discussed with the individual before their death, or referred from their will. Here are some typical things to take note of.
Is the departed donating their organs?
Secular individuals may have less qualms about their physical body after death, so it is good to check if they have left instructions to donate their organs. If not, the family can also make that decision as a legacy for the departed. One can do so under the Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act (MTERA) and the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA).
Will there be a wake?
This will be the biggest consideration at the onset. If one is having a wake, then the first decision to be made will be about the length. Although not mandatory by law, embalming is advised for those not opting for direct cremation or burial. This is also preferred if you are having an open casket viewing so as to better present the departed. If the individual opts out of embalming, then a wake that does not require viewing or is placed in a hermetically sealed coffin without a viewing window can be considered. Also, if there is a wake, the organisers might prefer to choose a more decorated or high-quality coffin for presentation.
Where will the wake be held?
The venue for the wake is largely dependent on the scale one wishes for the funeral to be planned. For some, a quiet wake with just family members and close friends is sufficient, and so that can be arranged at a small funeral parlour or even at home if space allows. Others might prefer a larger affair, upon which the organisers can rent out public facilities such as the void deck or function rooms to fulfil the capacity.
What happens at the wake?
Funerals in Singapore often serve as celebrations of life, embracing the positive aspects of the individual’s journey and the impact they had on their community. Non-religious wakes can similarly draw upon this format and focus on honouring the person’s legacy, achievements, and relationships, while providing comfort and solace to grieving loved ones. Common activities include eulogies or shared storytelling, and sharing cherished memories among the visitors to foster a warm and uplifting atmosphere that celebrates the life of the departed. Feel free to play their favourite music, or share videos and slideshows of their lives. There are even some who believe it should be a full celebration, where dance and lively music are chosen over a sombre affair. Again, with respect to the individual’s requests and personality, it is entirely up to the organisers to dictate the agenda and customise the space. Just be sure to communicate this clearly to all visitors to avoid confusion. For additional advice, one can try approaching Humanist Society Singapore to reference other non-religious funerals.
Final rites
In Singapore, one can choose between cremation and burial. Most individuals opt for the former as it is logistically and financially more sustainable. The secular individual that has opted for direct cremation or burial can choose to do so in the most basic of coffins to save on costs, and leave instructions on what they might want to be cremated or buried with, if any. Know that for cremation, that the objects might be irretrievable, though one can request for any surviving objects to be returned. Burial is a lot more straightforward, but for cremation, the individual has a few options after. One can either collect the ashes in an urn to be placed at home, or left in a columbarium. There are two state-owned columbariums that are suitable as they don’t have religious affiliations: Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium. Alternatively, the departed may have expressed their wishes to have their ashes scattered. This can be accomplished at the Garden of Peace or at sea with the necessary permits.
All are included
Singapore’s legal framework provides avenues for individuals to exercise autonomy in their funeral arrangements, regardless of religious affiliation. This includes non-religious individuals, and one can review the recommendations shared to facilitate their funeral planning for the departed with dignity and respect.
Honour anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Get help with personalising funeral plans for your departed with the specialists at Memorial Funeral.