Funeral

"A Christian funeral is a service performed by the Christian community for the benefit of its dead. It expresses the sorrow of the survivors, yet it always has a Paschal character. Ultimately, we die in Christ so as to celebrate with Him the feast of the Resurrection." - YOUCAT #278

"For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." - Romans 14:7-9

Funerals

In times of bereavement:

  • When a loved one passes away, call a priest.
  • Inform him of any pastoral need eg. arranging for prayer groups at the wake or funeral.
  • Funeral Mass: Check with the priest for availability before confirming the time for burial or cremation.

Policy for Funerals in the Archdiocese of Singapore
Funerals are often a time of distress for families and funeral arrangements under these circumstances can be challenging to coordinate multiple issues.
The Archdiocese of Singapore in helping to streamline the course of action for families of the deceased is establishing broad principles which would assist the families.

  1. As a principle the funeral is normally arranged at the parish of the deceased.
  2. The parish of the deceased is determined by the parish that he/she normally had been attending for their Masses and liturgical services.
  3. Before arranging a time or day of funeral and cremation, do contact the parish concerned to determine the availability of a priest.
  4. In the event that the parish that was contacted is not the parish of the deceased, it would be the duty of the secretary to forward the information to the relevant parish and inform the families concerned.
  5. The parish secretary will assist in sourcing a priest of the parish or another priest for the families to conduct the funeral rites.
  6. For all other logistics in relation to the funeral day and rites, it will then be directed to the parish that will be conducting the funeral.
  7. In the case of dispute, the territorial parish will assume responsibility for the funeral.
  8. If the parish venue is not available, the parish should arrange for an alternative venue.
  9. In exceptional cases, the Mass for the funeral can be held at the venue of the wake.

 
Funeral Arrangement Policy in Singapore, Based on Senate Communication, May 2018

When Death Occurs:
Obtain a Certificate of Cause of Death:

If in a hospital, a doctor at the hospital can certify the cause of death and issue a Certificate of Cause of Death.
When death occurs in the home, contact your family doctor to certify the death or if no doctor is available, call the Police for the body to be sent to the Centre for Forensic Medicine. Bring along medical documents relating to the deceased, all medicine consumed by the deceased and identification papers of the informant and deceased.

Engage a funeral director:

Please refer to the Classified Advertisements of the newspapers or the Catholic News. Some questions for you to ponder before calling any of the casket companies:

  • Where do you want the wake to be held?
  • How many days required for the wake?
  • Is it going to be a burial or a cremation?
  • Is there a preferred time?
  • Inform your priest to arrange for Mass, service and for other assistance.
Register the death at the nearest police post:

Bring along the Certificate of Cause of Death, the deceased person's NRIC and the informant’s NRIC (or other identification). Make several copies of the death certificate. You will need them for various organisations and the family for application for compassionate leave.

For interment at the Columbarium of the Church of St Ignatius:

Please contact Sacristan at the church office: 6466 0625 or 8511 4614.

Wakes:

Please contact Sacristan at the church office 6466 0625 or 8511 4614 for further information. For churches that have facilities to hold wakes on their premises, please click here.