With so many different companies offering various kinds of funeral packages in Singapore, it can be hard to decide which one to go with, even if you or your family follow a certain religion. That’s why we’ve come up with a series of articles to help you out. In this second of the four-part series, let us share with you on how to choose a Catholic funeral package.
Select a funeral director
The funeral company takes care of numerous things, such as conveying your loved one’s body to the location of the wake, liaising with the church where necessary, and ensuring that the floral arrangements are done according to your preference. With such heavy responsibilities, you’d want to pick an experienced and reliable candidate for the job.
Here in Singapore, established funeral companies typically charge between $4,000 and $6,000 for a basic Catholic funeral. At Direct Funeral Services, our 3-day, 2-night Catholic funeral packages start from $4,999 (excluding GST). All packages include a professional service team that will be at hand to guide and help you every step of the way.
While you should choose a package that fits your budget, it’s also vital that you have a chat with the funeral company to see if you’re comfortable with them. You may also want to ask for photos of their funeral set-ups and go online to search for reviews of the company.
Direct Funeral Services Roman Catholic Faith Package set-up
Determine the funeral location
Apart from churches, Catholic funerals can also be held in funeral parlours or at the void decks. Your loved one’s wishes, as well as factors like cost and convenience, determine where you eventually hold the funeral. Some of the bigger funeral companies have dedicated spaces for wakes and commemorations. Smaller providers, on the other hand, have to outsource for such spaces, which could potentially be more expensive. Deciding on the wake location could help you further narrow down your options.
Direct Memorial Hall is conveniently located near Geylang Bahru MRT station and comes fully equipped with amenities, including air-conditioning, to provide maximum comfort for guests and families in mourning.
Decide on a Catholic Mass or Liturgy of the Word and Other Things You’d Like to Include (Or Exclude) From the Service
Here’s another consideration that can help you filter your options. Typically, a Catholic funeral consists of a vigil service, a funeral Mass, and the Rites of Committal. The Mass honours the deceased and represents the soul being returned to God. If your loved one had been away from the church for a long time or was not an active member of the church, then a Liturgy of the Word (a funeral without a Mass) might be more appropriate.
Your loved one may also have explicitly asked for a simple and intimate ceremony that’s attended only by close friends and family. In this case, you can eliminate packages that come with more elaborate set-ups or ones that last longer than three days. Or you could even consider a direct cremation package.
All in all, the longer the funeral and the more detailed it is, the costlier the package will be. So think carefully about whether certain elements are necessary to ensure that you choose the right package for your loved one’s final farewell.
Did you find this Catholic funeral package guide helpful? What else would you like to know? Drop us your suggestion via our Instagram @directfuneralservices! Do also look out for the third part of this series, where we’ll share with you the things to note when choosing a Taoist funeral package.