These are just a few rites and symbols you can see at a Buddhist funeral. Be aware that Theravada and Mahayana are the two main divisions of Buddhist funeral traditions practiced in Singapore.

For this reason, at a Buddhist burial service, you will typically see many families praying to a Buddha statue. During the parade, you’ll hear a lot of chanting. The stages of life and death will be depicted in great detail during the ceremonies. Some traditions represent the origin and purpose of pain, while others represent its resolution and emancipation.

You will typically be expected to light a joss stick when you attend a Buddhist wake. It should be noted that lighting a single stick suffices; lighting more would not be necessary.

Monks chanting at the altar are expected if a Buddhist burial ceremony adheres to Theravada teachings and traditions. On the first day of the funeral, you will typically see them. They will especially be present on the last night of the funeral in question and on the day of the funeral itself when the body will be burned.

The monks will also sing one last chant before cremation. The procession will then go to the crematorium for the actual cremation before ending at the burial site.

An Fu Funeral Services Pte Ltd accommodates both Mahayana and Theravada traditions. On request, we also accommodate other customs. Don’t hesitate to contact us right once to make arrangements if you would like to keep any rituals or family traditions during a Buddhist funeral service in Singapore.