A Hindu funeral in Singapore brings together prayers led by a priest, rites performed by close family, and cremation. Customs differ between communities and between families, so what follows is a general outline. Your priest, temple and funeral director will guide you through the rites your family follows.
What usually happens
After the death is certified, the funeral director collects and prepares the deceased and helps the family set up for the rites, at home, a void deck or a funeral parlour. Families usually engage a priest to lead the prayers, and close family members take part in the rites. Relatives and friends come to pay their respects before the funeral.
If you are planning a wake at a void deck, see our guide to holding a wake at a void deck. NEA’s prior written permission is needed if the wake will run more than seven days after the death.
The procession and cremation
The National Heritage Board describes the traditional Hindu funeral procession in Singapore: an ornate hearse decorated with garlands, followed by family members and relatives on the way to the crematorium. Processions often pass places that mattered to the deceased, and prayers are said when the procession reaches the crematorium entrance. The Board notes that processions have been simplified over the decades, but many traditional rites are still observed.
NEA runs Mandai Crematorium and Mandai North Crematorium. The funeral director usually books the cremation slot and applies for the permit to cremate. Read more in cremation or burial.
Ashes and the days after
After cremation, many families immerse the ashes at sea. NEA and the Maritime and Port Authority allow ashes to be scattered at a designated site about 3.2 km east of Raffles Lighthouse, between 7am and 7pm. Families make their own arrangements for this, often with help from their funeral director. The National Heritage Board notes that the Sree Ramar Temple in Changi Village lets Hindus complete their rituals at the temple after post-funeral rites at the seaside.
The mourning period usually ends with prayers on the 13th or 16th day, often called karumathi. In late 2025 the Hindu Endowments Board opened Karma Kaariya Nilaiyam, a sheltered facility at Changi Beach where families can book a hall for these ceremonies. Families arrange their own priest and sea immersion.
What to ask a funeral director
- Can you arrange a priest who follows our community’s rites, or work with our own?
- Which items for the prayers are included in the package?
- Will you book the cremation and collect the ashes?
- Can you help arrange the boat for sea immersion?
- How many days does the package assume before cremation?