It’s common for people to think ahead about their weddings, retirement, baby’s full-month celebration and other life milestones. Now what about funerals? The idea may sound morbid and be shunned by those who view death as a taboo topic, but planning your own final farewell has more benefits than you realise.
So don’t dismiss the thought just yet. Read on to see why funeral pre-planning in Singapore is important, when to plan for a funeral, and how you can go about doing it!
What is pre-planning a funeral?
Simply put, it’s when you make all the arrangements for a funeral in advance. This not only means choosing the funeral parlour and package in Singapore, but also thinking through the specifics and deciding whether you prefer to be buried or cremated (and how the ashes should be treated). Since no one knows for sure when death will come, it’s advisable to start the planning as soon as possible when you’re healthy and in the right frame of mind.
Why plan for a funeral?
Perhaps the most direct benefit of funeral pre-planning is that it allows you to have a say on things. From the type of flowers and music to the person leading the ceremony, you have the liberty to decide how you want your funeral to be—right down to the detail. And when decisions are already made, it’ll take a huge load off your loved ones’ shoulders, especially in a time of grief.
“One of our customers who planned their funeral in advance had specifically requested for Lionel Richie’s top hits to be played during the course of his wake.”
– Darren Cheng, CEO, Direct Funeral Services
Afterlife planning makes financial sense, too. It provides you with an idea of how much the funeral will cost, so you can start setting aside funds for it. By planning your funeral services ahead, you’ll also be able to enjoy a lock-in price for the package that you’ve selected.
However, do note that most planned contracts have a validity period.* After which, the contract may undergo revision and renewal based on the prevailing market rates. But the good news is that even with this, a pre-planned funeral will likely still be cheaper than one that has not been arranged in advance.
How to get started—the first steps to take
To begin planning for your final farewell, take some time to think about the details. These could include the songs to be played, types and colours of flowers to be incorporated, clothing that you wish to be dressed in, the portrait to be used and so on.
After you’ve gotten a general idea of how you’d like to personalise your wake and/or funeral, it’s time to shop around for a funeral company that best fits your needs, preferences, and budget. If you’ve any questions or doubts, don’t be afraid to bring them up to the funeral director.
Once you’ve made all the arrangements, it’s important to inform your loved ones about them. One way is to provide them with a copy of your contract with the funeral company. You may also want to include your funeral wishes in your will. When your loved ones are aware of your plan, they’ll know exactly who to contact when the inevitable happens, and be able to help ensure that all your wishes are carried out accordingly.
Here’s a simple infographic to guide you along in your planning:
What to consider when making your plans
When deciding which funeral home to go with, always look out for their credibility and reputation. You’d want to choose a company that will honour their words. It may be a red flag when a company does a lot of upselling or is ambiguous about certain arrangements and pricings.
In the same vein, do not make payment after you’ve carefully read the contract and are satisfied with it. The Association of Funeral Directors Singapore is a good starting point if you’re unsure where to begin searching for reliable funeral service providers.
Looking for more resources and guidance on funeral pre-planning in Singapore? Download our funeral planning checklists or call us at 6555 1115 for a no-obligation meeting with our funeral director!
*At Direct Funeral Services, our lock-in price is valid for five years from the date of payment of the deposit. Please contact us at 6555 1115 to find out more.