A Taoist funeral in Singapore is often the most ritual-rich of the Chinese funeral traditions. Priests lead a series of rites over the wake, many of them in dialect, and the family takes an active part. Because Taoist, Buddhist and folk customs have mixed over generations, the exact rites depend a great deal on the family’s dialect group and the priests they engage. The notes below describe common practice, not fixed rules.
What usually happens
Once the death is certified, the funeral director collects and prepares the deceased and sets up the wake, usually at a void deck, a multipurpose hall or a funeral parlour. The National Heritage Board notes that some families still follow older customs at home, such as covering mirrors and covering the deities on the household altar.
Taoist priests are engaged to lead the rites. According to the National Heritage Board, a priest typically begins with a ritual to “open the road” to the netherworld, then carries out rites over several days to guide the soul of the deceased to their ancestors. A chant on the first night is meant to help the deceased understand what has happened. Many of these rites are performed in dialect, reflecting where early migrants came from.
The wake
Family members keep vigil through the wake, which the National Heritage Board describes as typically lasting three to seven days. The National Library Board notes the custom of holding it for an odd number of days. Sons and daughters often offer food and drink to the deceased daily and prepare paper offerings, such as houses, cars and clothes, to be burned for the final send-off.
Some rites are specific to certain groups or situations. A ritual known as “breaking hell” is performed for people who died untimely deaths, though the National Heritage Board notes it is less common in Singapore today. If the wake will run more than seven days after the death, NEA requires prior written permission.
Our guide to Buddhist and Taoist funerals explains how the two traditions compare.
The final day
On the day of cremation or burial, relatives pay their last respects, then follow the hearse, usually arranged by gender and rank in the family. In most dialect groups except the Teochews, the son-in-law may lead the procession with a red banner bearing the deceased’s name. Many families then keep a temporary altar at home for some weeks, and many believe the soul returns home on the seventh day after death.
NEA runs Mandai Crematorium and Mandai North Crematorium, and Choa Chu Kang Cemetery is the only cemetery in Singapore open for burials. See cremation or burial for the options.
What a Taoist funeral costs
Taoist funerals are usually the most expensive of the Chinese funeral traditions, because the rites run over several nights and need priests and paper offerings. Most Taoist packages in Singapore cost between about $8,900 and $11,800 for a 3-day wake. A direct cremation without a wake starts from about $2,100. Check which rites, how many nights of priests and which paper offerings are included, then ask two or three directors for a full written quote.
If you are attending a Taoist wake
- What to wear: simple clothes in white, black, grey or other muted colours. Avoid red and bright colours.
- At the altar: you may be offered joss sticks to pay your respects. A quiet bow is also fine.
- Condolence money: most families accept a white envelope with a cash gift, often called bai jin, usually an odd amount.
- During the rites: the priests and family lead the rituals. Visitors are welcome to watch quietly, but should not step into the ritual area unless invited.
What to ask a funeral director
- Which priests will lead the rites, and in which dialect?
- Which rituals are included, and on which nights?
- How many days of wake does the package assume?
- Are paper offerings included, and which ones?
- Are the priests’ fees in the package or paid separately?
Our checklist of what funeral packages include can help you compare quotes.