In Singapore, “free-thinker” is commonly used for people who do not follow a religion, and a free-thinker funeral is simply a funeral without religious rites. The National Heritage Board notes that the growing number of people who do not identify with a religion, and families whose members follow different faiths, have driven demand for free-thinker packages and simpler, more neutral funeral setups. With no set liturgy, the family decides what the farewell should look like.
What usually happens
The practical steps are the same as for any funeral. Once the death is certified, the funeral director collects the deceased, prepares the body, applies for the permit and sets up the wake. The difference is what happens during the wake and on the final day.
Instead of chanting, prayers or a service led by a priest, a free-thinker funeral centres on the person’s life. The Humanist Society (Singapore) describes non-religious funerals that focus on the life and interests of the deceased, using music, readings, quotes and personal symbols. Families may add a eulogy or speeches, a photo display, or a moment of silence before the casket leaves. Some keep familiar customs as a mark of respect, and the National Heritage Board notes that many Chinese families in Singapore now mix secular and traditional practices.
Because many families in Singapore include people of different faiths, a neutral setup can also help everyone feel comfortable paying their respects.
The wake
A free-thinker wake may be held at an HDB void deck, a funeral parlour or the family home. There is no religious rule on how many days it should last, so families choose based on when relatives can come and on cost. If the wake will run more than seven days after the death, NEA requires prior written permission. Our guide to holding a wake at a void deck covers the practical side.
Cremation or burial
Both are available. NEA runs Mandai Crematorium and Mandai North Crematorium, and Choa Chu Kang Cemetery is the only cemetery in Singapore open for burials, with a burial period of 15 years. Ashes can be kept in a government or private columbarium, kept at home, or scattered at NEA’s inland gardens or a designated site at sea. See cremation or burial for the details.
What a free-thinker funeral costs
Most free-thinker funeral packages in Singapore cost between about $4,600 and $8,000 for a 3-day wake. A direct cremation without a wake starts from about $1,900. Without religious rites to pay for, the price mainly depends on the number of wake days, where the wake is held, the casket and personal touches such as a photo montage, music or catering. Compare the listed packages above, then ask two or three directors for a full written quote.
If you are attending a free-thinker wake
- What to wear: simple, darker or muted clothes.
- What to expect: there are no religious rites. The family may share memories, play music or show photos, and some hold a short farewell on the last day.
- Condolence money: many families accept a white envelope with a cash gift. Follow the family’s lead.
What to ask a funeral director
- Can the package be adjusted to leave out religious items we do not need?
- What is included for the final farewell, such as a sound system, photo display or programme?
- How many days of wake does the price assume, and what does an extra day add?
- Is the cremation or burial booking included?
Our checklist of what funeral packages include can help you compare quotes.