Singapore Catholic Archdiocese Guidelines on Funerals Wakes

Funerals are a deeply emotional time for families, and coordinating funeral arrangements can often be a challenging process. To provide guidance and streamline this process, the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore has outlined key principles to assist families during this difficult period.

Guidelines for Funeral Arrangements

As a general rule, funerals are arranged at the deceased’s parish. This refers to the parish where the individual regularly attended Mass and liturgical services. Usually the parish church is determined by the address stated on the identification card of the decedent.

Before setting a date and time for the funeral or cremation, families should contact the deceased’s parish to confirm the availability of a priest. If the parish contacted is not the deceased’s own parish, the parish secretary will forward the information to the correct parish and inform the family accordingly. The parish secretary will assist in coordinating a priest from the parish or, if necessary, arrange for another priest to conduct the funeral rites.

All logistics related to the funeral day and rites will be directed to the parish responsible for conducting the funeral. In cases of venue unavailability, the parish will arrange for an alternative location.

In the case of disputes, the territorial parish (based on the deceased’s residential address) will take responsibility for the funeral arrangements.

If needed, in exceptional cases, the funeral Mass may be conducted at the wake venue instead of the parish church.

These principles ensure that the funeral rites are handled with dignity and respect, while offering much-needed clarity and assistance to families navigating the process. Families are encouraged to work closely with their parish to ensure a smooth and meaningful farewell for their loved one.

For further guidance or assistance with Catholic funeral arrangements, contact your parish or trusted funeral service provider.

Guidelines on Sea Burial

Sea burial of cremated remains is different from scattering ashes and must be conducted with the same respect as a burial of the body. This involves placing the ashes in a suitable and dignified container that is heavy enough to sink to its final resting place. Care must also be taken in how the ashes are handled, transported, and laid to rest to ensure the process is carried out with proper respect and attention to detail.