Daily Archives: December 4, 2024

Obituaries in Singapore

Obituaries serve as a vital means to honor the deceased and inform the community of their passing. In Singapore, accessing and publishing obituaries involves several avenues, each with its own procedures and costs. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to check obituaries in Singapore, the associated costs, methods to find local obituaries, and highlights some of the prominent obituary platforms available.

How to Check Obituaries in Singapore

To locate obituaries in Singapore, consider the following resources:

  1. Newspapers: Traditional newspapers like The Straits Times and Berita Harian regularly publish obituary notices. These publications have both print and online editions, allowing readers to access obituaries through physical copies or their respective websites. Additionally, some newspapers offer online services enabling families to place obituary notices directly.
  2. Online Obituary Platforms: Several dedicated websites provide comprehensive obituary listings:
    • Platforms offering free online obituary postings make it convenient for families and friends to share memorials.
    • Some services provide online obituary postings without added costs, ensuring everyone can commemorate their loved ones.
    • Other sites feature the latest online obituaries, allowing users to view and share memories of the deceased.
  3. Funeral Service Providers: Many funeral homes in Singapore maintain online obituary sections on their websites. These platforms often provide free services dedicated to preserving the memories of loved ones.

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How Much Does an Obituary Cost in Singapore?

The cost of publishing an obituary in Singapore varies based on the medium and the specifics of the notice:

  • Print Newspapers: Publishing obituaries in newspapers can range from moderate to high, depending on the newspaper’s reach and the prominence of the placement. Costs often depend on factors like the size of the notice and the duration of publication.
  • Digital Obituaries: Opting for online obituary postings is generally more affordable. Some platforms offer digital obituaries for a fixed annual fee, while others provide free services to accommodate families with financial constraints.

It’s essential to consult with the chosen publication or platform to understand the exact costs and any additional services they may offer.

Looking for a trusted partner in honoring your loved ones? Funeral Services Singapore provides compassionate and professional support tailored to your needs. From personalized obituaries to seamless funeral arrangements, we ensure a dignified farewell.

Visit funeralservices.sg to explore our comprehensive services and let us help you create a heartfelt tribute during this difficult time.

How to Find a Local Obituary?

Locating a local obituary in Singapore can be approached through several methods:

  1. Online Searches: Utilize search engines with specific keywords, such as the deceased’s name along with terms like “obituary” or “death notice,” to find relevant announcements.
  2. Newspaper Archives: Access the archives of major newspapers to search for past obituary notices. Many newspapers offer online archives that can be searched by date or name.
  3. Community and Religious Organizations: Engage with local community centers, religious institutions, or social groups, as they often disseminate information about the passing of community members.
  4. Funeral Home Websites: Visit the websites of local funeral service providers, as they frequently post obituaries and service details for the individuals they are serving.

What is the Largest Obituary Website?

In Singapore, while there isn’t a singular “largest” obituary website, several platforms are widely recognized for their comprehensive services:

  • Some platforms aim to make it easy and convenient to visit and share memorials via the web, striving to be accessible and user-friendly for families and friends.
  • Dedicated services ensure that everyone, regardless of financial situation, can commemorate their loved ones without added costs.
  • Others feature the latest online obituaries, allowing users to view and share memories of the deceased.

These platforms collectively serve as significant resources for obituary postings and searches in Singapore.

Conclusion

Navigating the process of checking and publishing obituaries in Singapore involves understanding the available resources, associated costs, and the most effective methods to find local obituaries. By leveraging traditional newspapers, online platforms, and community networks, individuals can access and share obituary information, ensuring that the memories of loved ones are honored and preserved.

Our Funeral Packages

Our Buddhist funeral in Singapore is arranged with full respect for Buddhist customs. It provides families with a serene and spiritual way to say goodbye.

The package includes professional embalming, bathing, dressing, and makeup services carried out in a private air-conditioned facility. The wake can be held at either an HDB void deck or a funeral parlour, depending on the family’s preference.

A full Buddhist altar is set up with religious offerings and incense. Chanting sessions by Buddhist monks are conducted on the day of encoffinment, the final night, and the funeral day.

We also provide floral arrangements, photo enlargement, condolence booklets, digital signage, and transportation using a Mercedes Vito hearse. Cremation arrangements are included, with optional services such as vegetarian catering and paper offerings available.

Our Taoist funeral in Singapore is conducted according to detailed Taoist traditions and can be customised for dialect-specific rites including Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese.

The package features a traditional casket setup with ritual items like sandalwood powder, prayer blankets, and pillows. Licensed female embalmers carry out professional body care and makeup.

The wake area is fully equipped with tentage, lighting, ceiling fans, tables, chairs, and a mobile toilet. Taoist-themed backdrops, joss paper, deity tablets, and altar setups are included.

Taoist priests perform multi-day chanting rituals including encoffinment, final night, and funeral day ceremonies. We also provide paper offerings like houses and servants, customised funeral lanterns, a glass hearse, air-conditioned bus, and full cremation support.

Our Christian funeral in Singapore ensures a solemn and respectful farewell in line with Christian values.

The package includes embalming, dressing, and preparation of the deceased. The wake is held at an HDB void deck, private estate, or funeral parlour with a Christian-themed backdrop, cross, and floral arrangements.

A memorial altar is set up with enlarged photo displays and scripture-based decor. We coordinate with your church or pastor to organise services, prayers, and readings.

Transport is arranged with a glass hearse and suited pallbearers. Additional services include guest reception, condolence materials, safe box, a 45-seater guest bus, cremation arrangements, and optional video tributes or live music.

Our Catholic funeral in Singapore covers the full Catholic rite, including the Vigil, Funeral Mass, and Rite of Committal.

We provide embalming, body preparation, and a half-glass casket fitted with a crucifix and nameplate. The wake venue is decorated with Catholic symbols such as candles, holy water, and sacred icons.

A floral altar and photo display are set up. Our team liaises with the parish to arrange Funeral Masses and rosary recitations, and ensures that all religious items are placed respectfully.

Transport includes a glass hearse and suited pallbearers. Cremation or burial arrangements are included. Families also receive condolence booklets, floral water, keepsakes, and guidance on post-funeral customs.

Our Soka funeral in Singapore is conducted according to Soka Gakkai principles, with a focus on peace, dignity, and humanistic values.

This package includes embalming and presentation of the deceased, along with a wake setup featuring the image of Nichiren Daishonin at the altar. The venue can be held at an HDB void deck or parlour.

Soka members lead Nam-myoho-renge-kyo chanting sessions. The service includes floral arrangements, photo enlargement, condolence materials, and digital signage.

We manage transportation via a professional hearse, and take care of all cremation arrangements. Optional services include extra chanting sessions, photography, videography, and memorial keepsakes.

Our sea burial in Singapore offers a peaceful, nature-aligned farewell at sea.

We assist with NEA permit application and collect the ashes from the crematorium. A biodegradable urn is optional. A private ferry or yacht is chartered to the official sea burial site located 2.8 km south of Pulau Semakau.

Families may conduct a short farewell ceremony and scatter flower petals and ashes into the sea. Loose flowers are provided.

Optional add-ons include a religious officiant, professional photography or video coverage, and keepsake tokens such as memorial pendants or photo books. Our team ensures the entire process is conducted with dignity and care.

How to Pray on the 7th Month?

The Seventh Lunar Month, commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a significant period in Singaporean Chinese culture. During this time, it’s believed that the gates of the afterlife open, allowing spirits to roam the earthly realm. To honor ancestors and appease wandering spirits, various rituals and prayers are conducted.

This festival typically falls between August and September each year, as it follows the Chinese lunar calendar. The exact dates vary annually. For 2024:

  • The 7th Month begins on August 17, 2024.
  • The Hungry Ghost Festival (15th day) is on August 30, 2024.
  • The month ends on September 14, 2024.

In 2025, Singapore’s Seventh Lunar Month, known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is observed from August 23 to September 21. The festival’s peak, on the 15th day, falls on September 6, 2025.

These dates are significant for honoring ancestors and performing rituals for wandering spirits.

Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to perform these practices in Singapore:

1. Preparation Before the Seventh Month

  • Understand the Significance: Recognize that the Seventh Lunar Month is dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors and appeasing wandering spirits. It’s a time to express filial piety and seek blessings for the living.
  • Select Appropriate Dates: The Seventh Lunar Month typically falls between August and September. Identify specific dates for rituals, especially the 15th day, known as the Zhong Yuan Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival, which is considered the peak of the month.
  • Obtain Necessary Approvals: If planning to conduct prayers in public spaces like HDB common areas or industrial zones, secure the necessary permits from relevant authorities such as the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Housing & Development Board (HDB), or Town Councils. This may involve:
    • Obtaining an endorsement letter from the Taoist Federation (Singapore) or Singapore Buddhist Federation.
    • Seeking a supporting letter from your area’s Member of Parliament (MP).
    • Submitting applications to the relevant authorities for approval.

2. Setting Up the Altar

  • Choose a Suitable Location: Set up the altar in a clean, respectful area, either at home or in an approved public space.
  • Prepare Offerings: Common offerings include:
    • Assorted fruits.
    • Cooked vegetarian dishes.
    • Incense sticks.
    • Joss paper (representing money for the deceased).
    • Personal items or favorite foods of deceased family members.
  • Arrange the Altar: Place offerings neatly on the altar. Position ancestral tablets or photos centrally, with offerings laid out respectfully in front.


Funeral Services Singapore offers 24/7 support for various religious and cultural funerals. Contact 8900 0000 for compassionate and professional arrangements.

3. Conducting the Prayer Ceremony

  • Lighting Incense: Light three incense sticks, holding them together as you bow three times to:
    • The deities.
    • Ancestral spirits.
    • Wandering spirits.
  • Recite Prayers: Depending on your religious beliefs:
    • Taoist Practices: Recite specific Taoist scriptures or mantras.
    • Buddhist Practices: Chant sutras such as the Ullambana Sutra, dedicating merits to deceased ancestors.
  • Burning Joss Paper: After prayers, burn joss paper in a designated container, symbolizing the transfer of offerings to the spiritual realm.

4. Post-Ceremony Practices

  • Distribution of Offerings: After the ceremony, distribute the food offerings among family members or participants. It’s believed that consuming these blessed items brings good fortune.
  • Clean Up: Ensure the altar area is tidied up, and any remaining incense ashes are respectfully disposed of.

5. Additional Considerations

  • Community Involvement: Participate in or organize community events such as:
    • Getai Performances: Live stage performances meant to entertain both the living and spirits.
    • Charity Auctions: Bidding on items, with proceeds often going to charitable causes.
  • Safety and Environmental Concerns: Be mindful of:
    • Conducting rituals in well-ventilated areas to minimize smoke inhalation.
    • Reducing the burning of joss paper to lessen environmental impact.
  • Adherence to Guidelines: Follow any advisories or guidelines issued by religious organizations or authorities, especially concerning public health and safety measures.

By meticulously following these steps, you can respectfully honor your ancestors and participate in the cultural practices associated with the Seventh Lunar Month in Singapore.

Wills & Probate in Singapore

Planning a funeral or handling estate matters can be an overwhelming process, especially during emotionally trying times. However, with the right guidance and support, it is possible to navigate these steps effectively. Here’s how to handle wills and probate issues with confidence.

Wills: Securing Your Legacy

A will is a crucial document that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. Proper planning not only secures your legacy but also provides peace of mind for your loved ones.

In Singapore, drafting a valid will involves:

  • Appointing an executor: This is the individual who will manage your estate and ensure your instructions are followed. For a will to be valid in Singapore, it must be in writing, the testator (person making the will) must be at least 21 years old, and the will must be signed at the foot by the testator in the presence of two or more witnesses, who must also sign in the testator’s presence.
  • Listing your assets: Ensure that all your financial and physical assets are accounted for. The testator should appoint an executor who is at least 21 years old, of sound mind, and not bankrupt. The executor is responsible for administering the estate according to the will.
  • Designating beneficiaries: Clearly specify who should inherit what portion of your estate. If a person passes away without a valid will, their assets are distributed according to Singapore’s intestacy laws, which may not align with personal wishes.

To strengthen your estate plan, you may consider:

  • Asset Protection Trusts: These safeguard your wealth from unforeseen risks.
  • Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): This ensures that individuals of your choice can make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity.
  • Professional Assistance: Engaging with professionals for will drafting and probate applications can help navigate legal complexities and ensure that all procedures are correctly followed.

Without proper planning, the distribution of your estate will be subject to Singapore’s intestacy laws, which may not align with your personal wishes. Consulting with a professional ensures your will is comprehensive and legally enforceable.

Probate: Managing an Estate After Death

Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person’s will and authorizing the executor to administer the estate. In Singapore, it involves:

  1. Filing for probate: The executor named in the will must apply for a Grant of Probate from the Family Justice Courts to obtain the legal authority to manage and distribute the deceased’s assets.
  2. Letters of Administration: If there is no valid will, a beneficiary can apply for Letters of Administration to be appointed as the estate’s administrator.
  3. Court processes: The executor or administrator must apply to the Family Justice Courts for the necessary legal authority to distribute the assets.

During this process, you’ll need to gather essential documents such as the death certificate, the will (if applicable), and a detailed list of assets and liabilities.

Professional assistance can help simplify the probate process by providing guidance on:

  • Submitting required documents accurately.
  • Navigating the complexities of estate valuation and tax obligations.
  • Addressing disputes among beneficiaries, if they arise.

Expert Support at Every Step

Handling wills and probate doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With expert advice and step-by-step support, you can ensure that everything is managed smoothly and legally.

Reach out to a trusted estate planning professional in Singapore today to protect your assets and provide security for your loved ones.