Funeral Costs in Singapore – A Breakdown

Direct Funerals

Direct funerals are the most simple and cost-efficient option, where the body is sent directly to the crematorium or burial site and cremated or buried on the same day. Religious rites can be performed, either before the body is sent, or at the crematorium or burial site. Loved ones can pay their respectsthere as well.

Direct funerals are preferred by those who rather a lower cost option (below $2,000), or smaller services, since only close family and friends are able to attend them due to the short notice. Direct funerals also avoids the possible stress of organising a wake, which typically lasts a few days.

Hindus and Muslims believe that the body should be cremation or buried within 24 hours, thus direct funerals are typically chosen. (Click for more on Hindu and Muslim beliefs)

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Traditional 3 to 5 Day Funerals or Wakes

Traditional funerals, which typically last 3 to 5 days, are the most common choice. Cost rises as the number of days increase.

3-to-5-day funerals typically allow for most friends and family to pay their respects and to support the grieving next-of-kin, functioning as an outlet for them to express their grief.

Religious rites and ceremonies also typically occur, with Buddhist, Taoist, Soka, Christian and Catholics typically opting for traditional funerals for differing reasons, but generally to commemorate the deceased, support the grieving family, and guiding the deceased into the afterlife. (Find out more about their believes here)

Where the funeral is held is a factor affecting cost. However, this is often not a choice, and depends on where the deceased stayed, since funerals are often held close to their home.

Our funeral directories allow for sorting based on location.

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HDB Void Deck

Typically the most cost-efficient and common, funerals held in HDB void decks require tentage, chairs, tables, altar, backgrounds, fans or air coolers, lighting and other decorative aspects, which add to the cost of the funeral.

Applications to the Town Council is required before setting up a funeral at a HDB void deck,and no rental is charged.

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Funeral Parlour Venue

Common among those who stay in Condominiums, renting a room at a funeral parlour home is the more expensive option. Rental of the venue is charged on top of the tentage and various decorative equipment required. Funeral Parlours are often air-conditioned,and allow families to stay overnight.

Parlour rental is estimated to cost between $650 to $1,800 a day.  

Our funeral directories highlights whether parlour rental is included in each package.

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Private/Landed Property

Funerals held in landed properties can vary greatly in cost, given that the variability of the tentage size is dependent on the property. Sheltered tentage, along with the decorative equipment needs to be set up.

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These aspects of a funeral can come in varying quality, quantities and preferences, which account for a large amount of the difference in cost between different funeral packages.

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Caskets

Caskets come in varying materials and designs, ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000, and can be custom-made.

Whether a cremation or burial is opted for often informs the material of the coffin. The intricacy of the design is also an important choice to be made.

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Catering and refreshments

Catering and refreshments can be opted at different times of the day, provided for guests and next-of-kin who stay for an extended time. They also spare the family of needing to think of their meals during the funeral.

Some premium funeral packages come with service staff during catering.

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Religious Rites and Ceremonial Items

Religious funerals often require ceremonial items. Altars are set up with religious significance, and offerings are commonly presented to the deceased, with other items such as joss sticks or lamps also required.

Hiring of religious practitioners, such as monks or priests to perform religious ceremonies, is also common.

These costs are largely dependent on the religion and the extent to which the deceased or next-of-kin prefer religious practices be carried out. Taoist funerals, with a large emphasis on paper offerings, are often the costliest in this aspect.

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Transportation

40 to 45-seater buses are commonly provided from the location of the funeral to the crematorium or burial site, and back (2 ways).

These buses would follow a funeral hearse, which transports the coffin to the crematorium. Premium hearses can be opted for, such as a Mercedes-Benz Glass hearse.

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Cremation or Burial Costs

Cremation fees can differ but are $100 at Mandai Crematorium. Burial fees can also differ, but most commonly are $315 at Chua Chu Kang Cemetery. (Click to find out about cremation and burial fees, choices, and documentation required)

Our funeral directories highlights whether cremation or burial costs are included in each package.

Ashes

Post-cremation, the deceased ashes can either be placed in an urn at home, at a columbarium, buried at sea, or scattered at the Garden of Peace.

Columbarium costs vary widely depending on which one is chosen. A single niche at a government columbarium costs $500. Find out more here.

Burial at Sea costs anywhere from $80 to $1,000. Scattering ashes at the Garden of Peace (Chua Chu Kang) costs $320. Find out more here.

Funeral packages are often prices on the quality and quantity of these aspects provided.

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Basic Packages are likely to include:

·        Body Preparation and Embalming

·        Simple Casket

·        Basic Funeral Tentage and Setup

·        1 to 3 Days of Wake

·        Standard Transportation (Hearse)

·        Basic Performance of Religious Rites and Offerings

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Standard Packages are likely to include:

·        Mid-range Casket

·        Enhanced Funeral Tentage and Setup

·        3 to 5 Days of Wake

·        Premium Transportation (Hearse)

·        More Elaborate Religious Rites and Offerings

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Premium Packages are likely to include:

·        Luxury Casket

·        High-end Funeral Tentage and Setup

·        3 to 7 Days of Wake

·        Premium Transportation (Hearse)

·        AdditionalReligious Rites and Offerings

·        Personnel such as Service Staff

·        Customised Decorations

Compare, filter and sort funeral packages in Singapore based on your religion of choice using our directory.