Funeral In Singapore: How Much Does It Cost To Die and Top 10 Best Services

Rosemary December 22, 2021 | 08:39

Going all out to give your loved one an elaborate send-off will cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Everything to know about funeral service in Singapore.

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We all know that living in Singapore can be costly – that’s just a result of living in a world-class city. However, most of us can make adjustments to our lifestyles, making more frugal choices and living within our means.

But what about after we die? Can our last rites in this expensive city mirror how we lived – frugally and with dignity?

Thankfully, the answer is yes.

Step-by-Step Guide: What To Do When Someone Passes Away

Depending on the location of the death, is it in the hospital, at home, or overseas, each has its set of necessary steps to take.

Steps to take when death occurs in the hospital/home

Step 1: Obtain Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD) in the hospital

If the doctor at the hospital can certify the cause of death and the cause is natural, the doctor will fill up the Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD).

Contact the doctor or any neighbourhood doctor that is willing to take a house call to certify the death.

The rest of the steps are similar

If the cause of death unknown

If the doctor is unable to certify the cause of death, call the police to have the body sent to [email protected] (Singapore General Hospital, Block 9)

Step 2: Contact a funeral director

If there is already one assigned, simply contact the relevant Funeral Director. If not, the family will need to engage one.

The funeral director will collect the body, send the body for embalming and deliver to the location of the wake.

Step 3: Register the death

The family can register the death at any Police station or the Registry of Births and Deaths.

How much does it cost to hold a funeral in Singapore?

Item	Cost
Certificate of Cause of Death	S$200 to S$300
Autopsy	S$5,860.60 for procedure S$165.85 per day of storage from 3rd day onwards S$160.50 for report
Memorial service (3-day)	Religious: S$3,800 to S$10,000 Non-religious: S$1,700 to $7,500
Casket	Light woods: S$700 to S$1,000 Hardwoods: S$2,000 to S$10,000 Eco-casket: S$1,000
Burial	Muslim, Bahai, Parsi or Jewish: S$315 Others: S$940
Cremation	S$100 to S$800, depending on ceremony
Columbarium storage of ashes	S$1,700 to S$2,400
Obituary	Up to S$250
Keepsakes	S$250 to S$6,400
Legal matters (Will, Lasting Power or Attorney, etc)	S$400 to S$1,300
Total:	$5,100 to S$39,000

How much does a funeral services typically costs - Burial or Cremation in Singapore

Photo Nituo Festival

The total cost of a funeral ceremony in Singapore is mostly determined by the duration of the event and the deceased’s faith. The greater the length of the funeral ceremony, the higher the entire expense.

In most cases, a funeral ceremony includes a space, appropriate décor, a casket, seats and tables, lighting, fans, and flowers.

that religious funerals can be more expensive due to the ceremonial materials and people required to carry out the ceremony. If you want to save money, choose a funeral service without a funeral director, but be prepared to handle all of the labor yourself, from obtaining a funeral permit to finding a coffin, flowers, and decorations.

In any case, the following is the average cost of funeral services in Singapore, broken down by religion:

Funeral Type	Average Cost
Christian	From $4,500 – $5,900
Catholic	From $4,500 – $5,900
Buddhist	From $5,600 – $7,300
Taoist	From $8,300
Soka	From $4,600 – $5,800
Non Religious	From $4,000 – $6,000

After the good-byes, you have to decide what to do with the remains of your loved one – land burial, sea burial or cremation.

Burial (land)

With Singapore running out of land, there’s only one cemetery available now in Choa Chu Kang. The burial period is limited to 15 years. After that, the remains have to be cremated or re-interred. Because of this, most people don’t choose burial unless it’s for religious reasons.

It would cost you about $315 for Muslim, Parsi or Bahai burial. The price goes up steeply to $940 for a Christian, Chinese or Hindu burial.

Burial (sea)

You can opt to scatter the remains in the sea. This can be done 2.8km south of Pualu Semakau between 7am and 7pm. The MPA’s Port Marine Safety Control Centre can help you with this.

Now, you can even buy scattering tubes (from $200) to contain the remains for scattering instead of wrapping them up in a red or white cloth. There are even bio-degradable urns (from $175) made from recycled paper and paper clay that can be tossed into the sea without harming the environment. These are designed to float for about 20 minutes before sinking, giving families time to bid their final farewell.

A sea burial is potentially less environmentally damaging than a cremation. It is also much cheaper than a burial or cremation (since you have to pay to store the urn at a columbarium). And generations after don’t have to maintain the niche. The con is that there is nowhere you can go to to visit your loved one.

A sea burial can cost anywhere from $80 to over $1,000, depending on how extravagant an affair it is.

Cremation

There are three crematoriums in Singapore: Mandai Crematorium (government), Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (private) and Tse Toh Aum Temple (private).

Cremation will require an urn for the storage of the remains, a niche in a columbarium to store the urn as well as a marble plaque engraved with your details to cover the niche. There’s nothing to stop you from keeping the urn at home but that’ll mean that generations thereafter have to care for the urn or, at least, store it.

Most people choose to have the urns placed at either a government columbarium (there are 3) or a private one (there are nearly 60). Choosing a government columbarium costs less but you can’t pick your niche.

Item	Expected cost
Cremation	$100 (government) / $321 to $535 (private)
Urn	From $70 (average $250)
Niche	$500 single niche to $900 family niche (government) / from $1,100 to $5,800 and up for a single niche (private)
Marble plaque	From $1,000

Remembering the departed

If turning your grandpa into a tree is a little too “progressive” for your family to accept, there are several more acceptable ways you can remember the departed, from traditional columbariums to obituaries, and even turning them into personal jewellery.

Item	Cost
Columbarium	Marble plaque: S$1,000 and up Urn: S$200 to S$300 Niche: Govt: S$500 (Single), S$900 (Family)Private: S$1,100 and up (Single)
Obituary	Print: S$20 to S$63 per col cm Colour surcharges apply Online: S$250 per year
Keepsakes	Ash lockets: From S$250 Eternity gemstones: From S$1,700 Memorial diamonds: From S$4,588 (uncut) to S$6,399 (cut and polished)

Other associated costs

Item	Cost
Will	S$300 to S$1,000
Lasting Power of Attorney	S$75 to S$200 (excludes legal and medical fees)
Advanced Medical Directive	S$40

COVID-19 Restrictions On Funerals

Due to the current pandemic situation, attendance at wakes and funerals including foot processions must be kept at 30 persons or fewer, depending on the safe capacity of the venue. If the safe capacity of the venue is lower than 30, the venue limit will apply for the maximum number of people allowed. Pre-event testing is not required.

For burials and cremations, NEA will issue a maximum of 30 entry passes for each cremation or burial application at government-managed facilities.

Prevailing safe management measures will still apply, i.e. wearing of masks at all times, group sizes of not more than 5 and no mixing between groups. 1-metre distance must be maintained for seating arrangements and between groups.

Food and drinks (including bottled drinks or individually packed titbits) are disallowed at funerals. Family members of the deceased who are keeping vigil during the funeral wake may consume individually packed food/drinks. However, they must not interact with others when eating and must consume their meal away from other attendees.

Live (non-wind) instrumental music is allowed at funerals but they are not allowed to participate in foot processions. The musician must wear a mask and maintain one-metre distance. For more details and updates, please refer to NEA’s guidelines.

What To Do If The Family Cannot Afford The Funeral?

In general, it is possible to negotiate with the funeral director for a lower bill or a deferred payment plan. Some funeral service providers do offer repayment plans if you are unable to pay the full amount.

If the deceased has CPF monies but did not make a nomination, it is possible to claim up to $6,000 for reimbursement of funeral costs from their non-nominated CPF monies.

To do so, you would have to make an application with the Public Trustee’s Office and prepare the following documents:

-NRIC or passport of the person claiming, and the applicant

-Death certificate of the deceased

If the person claiming the reimbursement is:

-the husband or wife of the deceased – the marriage certificate

-the child of the deceased – the birth certificate of the child and marriage certificate of parents

-the parent of the deceased – the birth certificate of the deceased and marriage certificate of parents

-the brother or sister of the deceased – the birth certificate of the deceased, marriage certificate of parents and the birth certificate of the brother or sister

Funeral reimbursement declaration form (available on PTO’s website)

Copy of the front page of the bank passbook or bank statement. (Note: For a payment request to a joint bank account or third party bank account, both the beneficiary and the account holder(s) must execute the indemnity form.)

Receipts for funeral expenses. (These must be submitted if you are not a beneficiary.)

The typical processing of the claim takes approximately one month, once all required documents are submitted.

TOP 5 FUNERAL SERVICES IN SINGAPORE

1. ANG BROTHERS FUNERAL SERVICES

Best for

Low-priced, high quality services
Address

Blk 4028 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 1, #01-219, Singapore 569639
Phone

+65 8265 0301
Website

Ang Brothers Funeral Services
Email

[email protected]

Low price, premium services: Cheap prices do not mean low quality. With Ang Brothers, you will get premium items and settings at no extra cost. Prices have remained the same for the past 13 years while their services continue to improve over time.

2. NIRVANA MEMORIAL GARDEN

Best for

One-stop professional funeral services
Address

950 Old Choa Chu Kang Rd Singapore, Singapore 699816
Phone

+65 9238 6601
Website

Nirvana Memorial Garden
Email

[email protected]

“Journey with Love”: This special service is a first of its kind in Asia. A team of embalmers and beauticians subject the deceased to a “spa treatment” which the bereaved family can join and witness to pay respect to their deceased loved one in the final journey to the afterlife.

3. SINGAPORE FUNERAL GROUP

Best for

Complete funeral packages and parlour services
Address

Block 38, Sin Ming Drive #01-523 Singapore 575712
Phone

+65 6817 4288
Opening hours

24 hours
Website

Singapore Funeral Group
Email

[email protected]

Unique and personalized funerals: Memorial packages can be customized according to the desires of the family. Singapore Funeral Group has granted several requests regarding customized caskets, themed funeral halls, and wake and burial setups that reflect the personality of the deceased.

4. HARMONY FUNERAL CARE

Best for

Repatriation of bodies and remains to other locations
Address

38 Sin Ming Drive #01-523, Singapore 575712
Phone

+65 9489 2424
Website

www.singaporefuneralservices.sg

Full package and customized funeral services: Unlike other operators across the city, Harmony Funeral Care offers end-to-end completed packages. This does not end here; they also provide you with personalized services, and you can make your package as per your religious or family norms to get a competitive price quote.

5. SINGAPORE CASKET

Best for

Worldwide repatriation services and spacious parlor halls
Address

131 Lavender Street, Singapore 338737
Phone

+65 6293 4388
Website

www.singaporecasket.com.sg

Worldwide repatriation of dead bodies and remains: Unlike other services that have their repatriation services limited to few countries, Singapore Casket offers reasonably priced global repatriation services. With years of experience, they know the laws and regulations of each country and will handle all the legal and transportation matters on your behalf.

Top 10 Finest Funeral Services in Singapore

1.Singapore Funeral Sanctuary

Services	Buddhist Funeral services, Taoist Funeral Services, Christian Funeral Services, Catholic Funeral Services, Pre-Planning, Post-Funeral Services
Price Range	Based on quotation on case complexity. For more accurate quotation, visit their website.
Contact Details	+65 9639 2492 [email protected]
Address	52 Ubi Ave 3, #03-47 Frontier, Singapore 408867
Website	https://funeralsanctuary.sg/

Singapore Funeral Sanctuary (UEN:53409653X) is a well-known funeral home with a Best in Singapore rating. They have developed a selection of packages and services appropriate for all family sizes wanting to organize any sort of funeral wake with the objective of delivering both inexpensive and excellent funeral services in Singapore. Furthermore, while interacting with their clients, they take a straightforward and open approach by offering a detailed description of their package elements and costs.

2.SK Funeral Group

Services	Buddhist Funeral, Taoist Funeral, Christian Funeral, Catholic Funeral, Soka Funeral, Freethinker Funeral, Post Funeral Services, Advance Post Funeral Services, Infant Funeral, Sea Burial, Advance Funeral Planning
Price Range	Provides competitive pricing. Visit the Website or call now for details.
Contact Details	+65 8877 1588 [email protected]
Address	52 Ubi Ave 3 #03-47 Singapore 408867
Website	https://singaporefuneral.sg

SK Funeral Group is a group with more than 20 years of experience in the funeral industry in Singapore and provides the largest funeral setups variety for families to choose from upon engaging their services. Experience the best funeral services in Singapore with SK Funeral Group.

SK Funeral Group provides the most valuable funeral package of all religions in Singapore and its mission is to uphold the highest funeral standard in Singapore and the best funeral experience to all bereavement families.

3.Singapore Funeral & Casket Services

Services	BUDDHIST FUNERAL PACKAGE, TAOIST FUNERAL PACKAGE, NON-RELIGIOUS FUNERAL PACKAGE, CATHOLIC FUNERAL PACKAGE, CHRISTIAN FUNERAL PACKAGE, SOKA FUNERAL PACKAGE, DIRECT CREMATION PACKAGE, INTERNATION REPATRIATION, PRE-PLANNING SERVICE
Price Range	Quotation upon request
Contact Details	+65 6742 3988
Address	52 Ubi Ave 3, #03-47 Frontier, Singapore 408867
Website	https://funeralservices.sg/

They are the leading supplier with more than 20 years of experience in the funeral industry and they have handled a wide array of funeral cases from the simplest to the most elaborated one thus you can entrust your loved ones to their care.

Their firm provides the finest value funeral packages with the objective of providing clients with both quality and service pleasure. They realize that making the proper option during a time of loss is extremely tough, so they’ll provide them advice based on their specific requirements.

Their dedicated team is well-trained and ready to manage any sort of funeral service, regardless of religion or race. They are committed to giving bereaved families with support and assistance in order to alleviate their grief and stress. They promise that their services will be provided with the utmost respect, quality, and integrity.

4.Seng Heng Celestial Funeral Services

Services	Taoist Funeral Services, Catholic Funeral Services, Christian Funeral Services, Buddhist Funeral Services, Soka Funeral Services, Repatriation, Free thinker Funeral Services, Pre-planning for Funeral Services
Price Range
Contact Details	+65 6388 7178
Address	Blk 1002 Toa Payoh Ind Park, #07-1475, Singapore 319074
Website	http://shcelestial.sg/

SENG HENG CELESTIAL SERVICES started in 2001, by the late Mr Lim Kock Seng, with the focus on providing supplies aSENG HENG CELESTIAL SERVICES was founded in 2001 by the late Mr Lim Kock Seng with the goal of providing funeral services and support. Mr Lim Soon Tee, the late Mr Lim Kock Seng’s son, took over when he passed away. The firm has evolved to cover a larger variety of services for all types of funeral services under the current leadership of Mr Lim Soon Tee.

5.Singapore Funeral Group

Services	Comprehensive Funeral Services in Singapore. Buddhist Funeral services, Taoist Funeral Services, Christian Funeral Services, Catholic Funeral Services, Soka Funeral Services, Free Thinker Funeral Services, Pre-Planning, Post-Funeral Services, Funeral Parlours in Singapore, Land, Sea Burial, Cremation Services, Funeral Wakes at HDB Void Decks.
Price Range	3 Day Free Thinker, Catholic, Christian, Soka Funeral Services @ $4588. Buddhist/ Taoist Funeral Services @ $5588/ $7588. No Wake Services from $1588
Contact Details	+65 6817 4288 or 1800 800 1818
Address	Block 38, Sin Ming Drive #01-523 Singapore 575712
Website	https://singaporefuneralservices.net/ Facebook

Singapore Funeral Group is a team of funeral directors with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Having served families from all walks of life, they can easily identify and render assistance to your various needs. As featured on various mainstream media in Singapore, they’re a young team that’s shaking up practices in the industry. From religious wakes to modern funeral setups, they have the necessary experience to create a meaningful farewell for your loved one.

They are also able to incorporate modern elements into religious funeral services for a more memorable wake. They provide sendoffs in a modern and luxurious hearse for a dignified farewell. With a firm belief to only provide the best for their clients, they ensure that funeral setups are unique and personalised. Their showroom is located at Sin Ming Drive — with a high-tech embalming centre and full funeral facilities all under one roof. Should you require any assistance, simply drop them a call.

6.Nituo Funeral Care Services

Services	Buddhist Funeral services, Taoist Funeral services, Christian Funeral services, Catholic Funeral services
Price Range	$6,000 to $10,000
Contact Details	+65 91059558 [email protected]
Address	15 Lorong 13 Geylang Rd Singapore 388653
Website	https://nituofuneral.com/

Nituo Funeral strives to deliver trustworthy funeral services. They cheerfully take your calls in the small hours of the morning, rain or shine. They strive diligently to guarantee a blessed goodbye because they recognize the responsibility they have to the community. They have been in business since 2012, and they’ve established themselves as a go-to place for Taoist and Buddhist funerals. They seek to ensure that their unique customs and ceremonies are preserved.

7.Trinity Casket

Services	24/7 hotline to our team, No-commitment consultation (we come to you), On-call doctor to issue death certificate, Guided filing of police report, Embalming, beautician and cosmetic services in-house, All religions / no religion funerals, 0, 1, 3, or 5 day funeral packages, Choice of renovated funeral parlors, Church, void deck or home wake
Price Range	Complete packages starts from $2400
Contact Details	+65 64514496
Address	Blk 38, Sin Ming Drive #01-527/531 Singapore 575712
Website	https://www.trinitycasket.com/

Will you give them the honor of celebrating the memory of your loved one? At Trinity Casket, they believe that each life deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

Funeral arrangements are tough to make. Singaporeans, on the other hand, choose Trinity Casket because their dedicated Managers will walk you through each step. They remove the ambiguity, enabling you to focus on remembering your loved one.

All of their rates are reasonable, fixed, and clear, whether you pick one of their inexpensive packages or a bespoke service. They follow all safe management procedures and are approved partners of HSA, SGH, TTSH, KKH, and NUH, so you can rest certain that you’re receiving the finest in the business. To read all of their reviews, go to their website.

Since 1991, Trinity Casket has provided comprehensive service with skilled permanent employees. They also have their own private embalming facilities and adhere to the highest standards.

8.Nirvana Memorial Garden

Services	Buddhist Funeral Service, Taoist Funeral Service, Christian Funeral Service, Catholic Funeral Service, Freethinker Funeral Service, Lady Embalmers, Prayer Services, Columbarium Niches, Ancestor Pedestals, Funeral Pre-Planning
Price Range	Quotation upon request
Contact Details	+65 6791 2605
Address	950 Old Choa Chu Kang Road Singapore 699816
Website	https://www.nmg.sg/

Nirvana Memorial Garden is a world-class, full-fledged bereavement care provider, as well as first privatised columbarium in Singapore. The whole building is designed with auspicious elements Feng Shui and fully air-conditioned. Their products and services include Funeral Services offered on both as-needed and pre-needed basis, Columbarium Niche, Ancestor Pedestal, Prayer Services as well Funeral Pre-Planning.

Nirvana Memorial Garden provides a 0% interest instalment plan, allowing clients to spread out their payments and lessen their financial strain.

9.Funeral Solutions

Services	Buddhist Funeral Package, Taoist Funeral Package, Direct Cremation Funeral Service, Gong Teck, Exhumation
Price Range
Contact Details	1800 800 1818 [email protected]
Address	Block 38 Sin Ming Drive #01-523 Singapore 575712
Website	http://www.funeralsolutions.com.sg/

Singapore Funeral Solutions believes in making memories last forever, and your loved ones deserve to make a final mark in everyone’s minds as they depart from our world.

With over 12 years of experience in the service, alongside the many decades of experience held by our staff, Singapore Funeral Solutions dedicates itself to guide your family in dealing with bereavement.

10.Casket Fairprice

Services	Buddhist Funeral Services, Christian Funeral Services, Freethinker Funeral Services, Roman Catholic Funeral Services, Soka Funeral Services, Taoist Funeral Services, Direct Funeral Straight Case Services, International Repatriation
Price Range
Contact Details	+65 6455 9909 [email protected]
Address	37 SIN MING DRIVE, #01-571 SINGAPORE 575711
Website	https://casketfairprice.com/

A trusted funeral services provider in Singapore, Casket Fairprice has grown steadily to become one of the leading Singapore’s funeral service group since our establishment in 1993. From funeral parlours to casket services, they provide a one-stop solution to meet all your funeral arrangement needs.

Their website contains all the information relevant for a memorial and funeral service so you can make the best and informed decision for you or your loved one. If you have any questions which are not answered by what you find here or you require immediate assistance now, call at +65 6455 9909. Their funeral advisor will be able to guide you step by step through the whole funeral procedure. Their funeral packages start from $4,680 nett.