Taoist Funeral Package

Our Essential Taoist Funeral Package provides a comprehensive, culturally tailored service for Taoist funerals in Singapore. We carefully incorporate the unique rituals of various Taoist dialect groups, including Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese, ensuring that every aspect is respectful and aligned with each family’s cultural beliefs.

Breakdown of Package Costs:

• HDB Venue: $7,500 (3-day wake)
  Includes full Taoist funeral services, preparation, priest-led rites, joss paper burning, and all required arrangements.
• Funeral Parlour: $6,800 + Parlour Rental
  Full service at the parlour, including setup and priest services, along with a separate rental fee.
• Private Estate: Quotation upon viewing the premises
  The funeral service will be tailored to fit the estate’s setting and requirements, with an in-depth quote provided after an assessment.

Our funeral services are highly customisable to your family’s cultural and spiritual needs. Any additional requests or extended wake periods will be discussed and priced transparently.

Culturally Detailed Services

We pride ourselves on providing a service that is rooted in cultural respect and religious authenticity. For each dialect group, our funeral directors are deeply trained in the corresponding rituals, ensuring that the transition of your loved one’s spirit is done in full accordance with Taoist beliefs.

Dialect-Specific Rituals

Hokkien Funeral Rituals:

The Hokkien community follows intricate Taoist rituals, with an emphasis on guiding the spirit of the deceased through the stages of reincarnation. Key practices include:

• Summoning of the Soul (唤魂): This ritual is typically performed at the wake’s beginning, where family members, under the guidance of a Taoist priest, call upon the soul to return to the body. This summoning is believed to ensure that the soul is not lost between the realms of the living and the dead.

• Guiding the Spirit through the Underworld: According to Hokkien beliefs, the soul travels through the underworld before reaching reincarnation. Priests chant specific sutras and perform rituals aimed at protecting the spirit during its journey, preventing it from encountering malevolent forces.

• Joss Paper Burning (烧纸钱): Hokkien funerals often involve the burning of elaborate paper effigies, representing houses, clothes, servants, and even vehicles. These items are believed to be essential for the deceased to continue living comfortably in the afterlife. Family members actively participate in burning these items while reciting prayers, ensuring the deceased is provided for.

• Sending Off the Soul (出殡): The final stage involves guiding the spirit to the afterlife. This is often performed with a Taoist priest leading the procession, while the family walks behind the hearse. The priest chants continuously to protect the spirit and ensure it reaches the proper realm.

Teochew Funeral Rituals:

Teochew Taoist funerals emphasize a compassionate and respectful send-off, focusing on the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife.

• Spirit Tablet Installation (安灵牌位): A central aspect of Teochew funerals is the installation of the spirit tablet, which symbolizes the presence of the deceased’s soul. This tablet is placed prominently at the altar during the wake, allowing family and visitors to pay their respects by bowing and offering incense.

• Burning of Hell Bank Notes (烧冥币): A critical Teochew belief is ensuring that the deceased does not suffer financially in the afterlife. The family will burn specially designed “Hell Bank Notes” to provide the deceased with sufficient funds in the underworld. These notes bear resemblance to actual currency but are meant for the spiritual realm.

• Placating the Spirit (安抚亡灵): Throughout the wake, family members make continuous food offerings, such as fruits and symbolic dishes, at specific times to placate the spirit of the deceased. Priests also chant to ensure the spirit’s journey is smooth and that it does not encounter obstacles or suffering in the afterlife.

• Procession and Release Ritual (送灵): At the culmination of the funeral, the priest leads a procession, during which the deceased’s spirit is symbolically guided to the afterlife. As part of this process, a live band may play soft, sorrowful music to accompany the departure, creating a sacred atmosphere.

Cantonese Funeral Rituals:

Cantonese Taoist funerals are known for their highly symbolic and detailed rituals, often aimed at protecting the soul from the dangers of the underworld.

• Breaking Hell’s Gate (破地狱门): Cantonese funerals feature a unique fire ritual called “Breaking Hell’s Gate,” where a Taoist priest lights a ceremonial fire to release the soul from the underworld. This is believed to free the deceased from any entanglements with the lower realms, allowing them to ascend toward reincarnation.

• Incense Burning and Continuous Prayers: Family members and mourners are encouraged to continuously burn incense at the altar throughout the wake. This is a symbolic act of keeping the spirit warm and protected from wandering spirits that may wish to harm or delay its transition to the afterlife.

• Funeral Procession with a Taoist Band (游丧与道教乐队): In Cantonese culture, the funeral procession is an essential and elaborate event. A live Taoist band, playing traditional instruments, accompanies the procession to ward off evil spirits. The music is believed to create a harmonious passage for the deceased’s spirit.

• Spirit Bridge Crossing (过阴桥): During the wake, a ritual called “Crossing the Spirit Bridge” may be performed. The priest leads the deceased’s spirit across a symbolic bridge, which is believed to separate the earthly realm from the afterlife, ensuring the deceased safely crosses over without being intercepted by malevolent entities.

Hakka Funeral Rituals:

Hakka funerals hold a profound reverence for ancestors, emphasizing the role of the deceased as a guide for future generations.

• Ancestor Worship and Offerings (祭祖): The Hakka believe that ancestors play a significant role in guiding the family’s future. Elaborate offerings of food, wine, and joss paper are presented during the wake. These offerings are meant to honor the deceased and ask for their continued protection and blessings for the family.

• Chanting of Taoist Scriptures (诵经): The Hakka funeral is characterized by the chanting of sacred Taoist texts. These chants are believed to open the gates of heaven and allow the deceased’s soul to ascend. The chanting is performed throughout the wake, creating an atmosphere of deep spirituality.

• Burning of Ancestral Paper Clothes (烧衣): Paper clothes and other offerings are burned not only for the deceased but also for the deceased’s ancestors. This ensures that the entire ancestral line remains at peace and continues to watch over the family.

• Post-Funeral Ancestor Worship: After the funeral, the family is expected to continue offering respects at the ancestral altar, with annual offerings made on special days such as the deceased’s death anniversary. This strengthens the bond between the living and the ancestors.

Hainanese Funeral Rituals:

Hainanese funerals tend to be simpler in comparison to other dialect groups but maintain the core tenets of Taoist beliefs with an emphasis on humility.

• Water Cleansing Ritual (净手礼): A significant aspect of Hainanese funerals is the Water Cleansing Ritual, where the hands of the deceased are symbolically washed by family members. This act represents the purification of the soul and ensures the deceased enters the afterlife cleansed of earthly attachments.

• Minimalist Altar Setup (简约灵堂): While Hainanese funerals are generally simpler, they retain all necessary Taoist elements. The altar is modestly set up with only essential offerings, such as fruits, incense, and symbolic paper offerings. Despite the simplicity, these offerings are regarded as sufficient for the deceased to journey peacefully to the afterlife.

• Offerings and Paper Effigies: Even with a minimalist approach, paper offerings such as houses, servants, and money are still burned to provide for the deceased in the afterlife. The family also makes food offerings in a straightforward manner, symbolizing their love and respect for the departed without excess.

Funeral Services Overview

Our funeral directors ensure every ritual, from the altar setup to the funeral procession, is conducted with the utmost respect and cultural sensitivity. We work closely with Taoist priests familiar with each dialect’s rituals, ensuring that your loved one receives a dignified and culturally appropriate send-off.

We also ensure full compliance with Singapore’s health and safety regulations, particularly when it comes to joss paper burning and large funeral processions.

Transparency and Trust:

We provide a clear, detailed breakdown of all services and costs upfront, ensuring that you have a full understanding of what is included in your package. Additional services or extended wake periods will be discussed transparently. Our 20+ years of experience in Taoist funeral services ensure that your family will receive professional and compassionate support during this time.

Contact Us for Personalized Funeral Arrangements

Every family has unique traditions and customs that deserve to be honored. Our services are available in multiple dialects, including Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese, ensuring clear communication and culturally accurate services.

Contact us today for a consultation to discuss how we can personalize the funeral service.