What a funeral package includes, and what to check before you sign

Most funeral directors in Singapore sell their services as packages. A package bundles the main things a family needs over the wake and funeral into one price. That can make a hard week simpler, but two packages with similar names can contain very different things.

This guide walks through the usual parts of a package, the items that are often charged separately, and the questions worth asking before you agree to anything.

The main parts of a package

Not every package includes all of these. Use the list as a checklist when you read a quote.

Casket or coffin

The casket is often the single item that varies most between packages. Ask which model is included, what it is made of, and whether you can see a photo. If you want a different casket, ask how the price changes rather than assuming it is a simple swap.

Body collection, care and embalming

Most packages cover collecting the deceased from the hospital, home or mortuary, and preparing the body. Check:

• Whether collection at any hour is included, or only during certain times
• Whether embalming is included, and whether it is needed for the length of wake you are planning
• Whether dressing, make-up and grooming are part of the service

Hearse and transport

Look for what the package says about the hearse on the funeral day, and whether transport for family members (such as a bus) is included. Ask if there is a limit on distance or on the number of stops.

Wake setup

For a wake at a void deck, a funeral parlour or another venue, the setup usually covers some of the following:

• Tentage, tables and chairs
• Lighting, fans and sometimes portable air-conditioning
• An altar or display table, with religious items suited to the family’s faith
• A photo of the deceased, usually enlarged and framed

Ask how many days of wake the package assumes, how many tables and chairs are included, and what happens if you extend by a day. If the wake is at a void deck, ask who takes care of any permissions needed for the space.

Religious rites and ceremonies

Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and free-thinker funerals each have different needs. A package may include monks, priests or a pastor, chanting sessions, or a ceremony on the final night. Check how many sessions are included and whether the officiant’s fee or donation is part of the package or paid separately by the family.

Food and drinks

Many packages include light refreshments for visitors, such as packet drinks, peanuts and sweets. Catered meals are often a separate item. Ask what quantities are included and who restocks during the wake.

Flowers and photo arrangements

A package may include a floral arrangement for the casket or the altar. Wreaths sent by friends are usually ordered separately. Check whether a framed photo, memorial cards or a condolence book are included.

Permits, cremation or burial

Families need a permit to cremate or bury before a slot can be booked. A funeral director can apply on the family’s behalf, but NEA says the next-of-kin must give them a letter of authorisation.

The cremation or burial fee itself is a government or facility charge. At the time of writing, NEA lists a cremation fee of $100 for an adult at government crematoria. Private crematoria set their own fees. Ask whether your package includes the cremation or burial fee, or whether it will be added on top.

Ashes and niche

After cremation, the family collects the ashes and decides where they will go. Options include a niche in a columbarium, inland ash scattering at a designated garden, or other arrangements. NEA lists its own niche fees for government columbaria, and private columbaria price differently. Most packages do not include a niche, so ask.

What is often not included

These items commonly appear as add-ons, or are left out of a quote until later:

• An upgraded casket
• Extra wake days, extra tables or extra lighting
• Additional prayer or chanting sessions
• Full meals or catering beyond light refreshments
• Wreaths and extra floral arrangements
• Cremation, burial or niche fees
• Urn upgrades
• Transport for extra family members
• Obituary notices in newspapers

None of these are wrong to charge separately. The problem is only when a family does not know about them until the final bill.

Questions to ask for an itemised quote

A good funeral director will be happy to answer these. It is fine to ask for the answers in writing.

1. Can you give me an itemised list of what is included in this package?
2. Which items might cost extra, and how are they priced?
3. How many wake days does this price assume?
4. Are the permit, cremation or burial, and niche fees included?
5. Are officiant fees or donations included, or paid separately?
6. What happens if we need to change plans partway through the wake?
7. What deposit do you need, and when is the balance due?
8. Who will be our main contact during the wake, and how do we reach them at night?

Why comparing like-for-like matters

Two packages at similar prices can be very different once you look inside. One may include three days of wake with meals and the cremation fee. Another may cover five days but leave out the casket upgrade you actually want.

The simplest way to compare is to line up the itemised lists side by side and mark what each one includes, excludes or charges extra for. If one quote is much lower, look for what has been left out rather than assuming it is better value.

When you are ready, you can find a funeral director and ask two or three for itemised quotes to compare.