We have already learned about many funeral rituals and rites of major religions followed in Singapore. Singapore is a multicultural region having diverse religions, cultures, races, and ethnic groups living together. We witness diverse customs, beliefs, and rituals performed on daily basis. Be it a joyous moment, like weddings, birth, or any dull moment such as death, there is a vast diversity and variety among the members of different religions and cultures. Notably, you will find more diversity among the members of some religions but of different sects. Their ritual practices vary depending upon their school of thought.
The death rituals performed during the funeral and post-funeral ceremonies are not only held for the benefit of the departed, but also for the benefit of the friends and family members who live.
Losing a loved one is heart-wrenching, and mourning over them is a genuine act and coping up with the loss in no time might be hardest but it will prove to be a significant step towards healing. At that time writing an obituary will be a tribute to honor the deceased and celebrate their lives instead of mourning over the loss. An obituary may not only include personal details about your loved one, such as when they died and when their funeral will be held, but it can also build a picture of their life.
Know About Obituary
An obituary is a notice or an official announcement that someone has died, usually published in a newspaper or posted on the internet in modern times. It includes biographical details of the deceased, achievements, interests, familial survivors, and details on visitation and details about the arrangement of the funeral ceremony. The purpose behind an obituary is to pay tribute to a deceased person and also inform the community about their passing. They may also include information regarding the burial, funeral, or visitation for the general public. In case the deceased person was a well-known personality with several followers, then obituaries might be printed in local newspapers, posted online, or in national newspapers.
Although there is no legal requirement for an obituary to be published or written, however an obituary, or an online death notice, maybe an excellent method to inform family, friends, and the local community about the death.
People are not specified to write an obituary. Since it contains personal details and information of the deceased so it would be better than the obituary being written by the family members or close friends. However, funeral directors should always be welcome to give their suggestions in this regard.
Listed below is a brief guide of what should be included in an obituary;
- Begin the obituary by announcing the loved one's death. Provide the deceased's name and a brief description, as well as his or her age and the date of death. All of this data can probably be summarized into a single statement.
- Include personal details such as birth date, background, schooling, marriage details, achievements, and job history. Be concise and precise in your wording. Try to consolidate as much information in a few words.
- While listing up the family members you don't have to name every nephew and cousin, it's important to give a general overview of the family members who died before the loved one, as well as the surviving family members. Close relatives might be listed by name, while other relatives can be referred to in a general context.
- If you're holding a public funeral service, provide the time and day, as well as the location of the funeral place where it's being held.
About Singapore obituaries
Talking about Singapore obituaries, they are commonly posted in local newspapers like Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao. Technological advancements in the modern world allow people to post obituaries on social media platforms including messages application.
Digital obituaries also offer the convenience of displaying links and map information directly on the obituary page. They are comparatively less expensive than print media.
Obituary Singapore are of the same nature as followed globally; however, always check on rates and costs of the obituary before publishing. You will find posting a Singapore obituary is a bit expensive depending upon the mediums you are using to publish it. And that's genuine because publishing an obituary in one of the local newspapers will cost you much because the essential space you are purchasing is one of the top-ranked newspapers.
Usually, the cost of printing an obituary in an SPH newspaper ranges from $790 onwards. However, the rates increase as the size of the post increases.
In contrast, posting a digital-only obituary on Obits will cost you $100. Add-ons like the QR Code Plate and Memorial Page are additional costs, but they come at a very affordable price of $28 for the QR Code Plate and $5/year for the Memorial Page.
On the other hand, creating an obituary on The Beautiful Memories will cost $250 and you get all of the features found on their online portals such as social media integration and the ability to upload photos. However, the page only stays active for a year.
Taoism is seen rarely practiced religion in modern Singapore. That's mainly because of lack of awareness and lack of communication between influential people of Taoist religion with upcoming generations or younger lot. Taoism revolves around the main ideology of balancing opposite forces for the stability of nature. Taoists however also believe in rebirth and reincarnation but for the living, they believe that every living body is possessed by spirits and monsters and when it leaves the body, a person falls ill and dies eventually. Like Buddhism, diversities are also found within Taoism.
Taoism was never a centralized religion as there were no defined boundaries, and it was always diverse and flexible divided into various sects. Those sects contradict one another yet share a common belief system. New customs evolved regularly, and they intermingled with existing ones. Sincerity, immortality, health, vitality, detachment, purification, transition, and power are thought to be the basic virtue of Taoism. The philosophy of Taoist signifies the true nature of the world. Taoism revolves around the main ideology of balancing opposite forces for the stability of nature.
From preparing the body to cremating it into the ashes, Taoist funeral rites Singapore are highly impacted by other religions. Taoists believe that the human body is possessed by some spirits and ghosts and the only way the human soul finds liberty is after leaving the body. Taoism is also known to be the believer having firm faith in eternal life but in eternal life; it does mean no end to the physical life rather it means the rebirth after death free of all evils. It is also believed by the followers that the loved ones who are not there anymore can be communicated through a medium and meditations are opted in this regard.
Talking about Taoist funerals Singapore, In general, burial ceremonies vary depending on the deceased's age and status. Traditionally, coffins are placed in the house even before the person dies. (Impressed by Chinese culture), Taoists bury their loved ones in a rectangular coffin, with three humps. However modern Taoists prefer western-style coffins.
Before the burial, the body is wiped with a wet towel and talcum powder, and the deceased is dressed in the finest clothing. However, It is forbidden to dress the body in red clothing, as some Taoists believe it will cause the spirit to reincarnate as a ghost. Before placing the deceased in their coffin, a yellow cloth is placed over their face and blue cloth is placed over their body.
Before the funeral, a sacred ceremony is held. A holy lamp represents wisdom's light, while two candles signify sunshine and moonlight. Tea represents yin, rice represents yang, and water represents the Yin and Yang combination. Furthermore, the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are depicted by red, yellow, green, white, and black fruit. They serve the fruit on plates and burn candles in the center.
The Taoist funeral service led by the priest chanting Taoist scripture begins. The coffin is surrounded by fragmented candles, fresh flowers, and photos of the deceased. During the funeral ceremony, family members, friends, and other mourners are expected to vent as loud as possible, until the coffin casket is nailed and shut by the eldest son/ elder family member. Funeral mourners usually burn "ghost money," or joss paper, to release the deceased's spirit from the underworld and hope for the positive reincarnation of the soul.
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