Buddhist Funeral Services in Singapore
A Buddhist wake arranged with the correct rites, in the right order, by people who coordinate this every week — from temple and Head Monk arrangements to the final prayer at the ancestral tablet.
At a glance
- Void deck wake
- At $5,280
- Parlour or home wake
- At $4,680
- Lower-priced option
- At $1,380
- Response time
- Within ~1 hour (normal traffic)
- Chanting
- Buddhist chanting session, 3 sessions across the wake
- Embalming
- Minimum 3 hours before return to wake venue
- Final-day ceremony
- Approx. 3.5 hours, wake to return
- Temples
- Vetted panel of reputable temples across Singapore
Compare all our funeral packages →
Temples & monks we work with
We coordinate with a small, carefully vetted panel of reputable temples across Singapore, and work directly with a Reveredn Head Monk to arrange every rite your family needs. Each temple in our network is chosen for its experience conducting funeral rites and its ability to work to the tight timelines a wake demands.
Because we return to the same temples and monk consistently, timing and coordination on the day tend to run smoothly — there's no back-and-forth over unfamiliar arrangements, and no risk of a temple being unavailable at short notice, since we always have more than one reputable option on hand.
Why families choose Farewell Funerals
Package prices across Singapore funeral providers tend to sit in a similar range — so price alone rarely tells you who's right for your family. What matters more is the funeral director guiding you through it: someone you feel comfortable with, who explains each step clearly and is reachable when you need them. We'd encourage you to reach out to us for a free, no-obligation discovery call, so you can find out more and see if we're the right fit.
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Dedicated & experienced
Our team of dedicated funeral directors manages your arrangement personally from the first call through to the final rites — you're never passed between unfamiliar staff.
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Premium Mercedes limousine hearse
Our specialty — a premium Mercedes limousine hearse is included in every package at no additional cost, where many providers charge extra of at least $600 for this upgrade.
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Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
The price we quote is the price you pay and there will be a sales form with an itemised breakdown as a form of safeguard.
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Rapid response, 24/7
We're reachable any hour of the day and can usually be at your side within about an hour of your call.
What happens during the wake
Buddhist funeral rites follow a set sequence over the course of the wake. Here is what our families can typically expect:
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First day chanting. A Buddhist chanting session is held to begin the wake as the deceased is brought to the wake venue, usually separate from the coffin itself. You may prepare additional clothes and personal effects of the deceased to be placed in the coffin. Do refrain from placing flammable products containing any form of alcohol or batteries.
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Final night chanting. A Buddhist chanting session is repeated on the last night of the wake. This is usually the longest session at about 2.5 hours. If there is paper house burning, it will be done after the chanting. At times, the chanting session might be conducted in the late afternoon instead.
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Final day, before the service. A last Buddhist chanting session is held before the cortege departs. A cortege is a slow formal procession consisting of people or cars moving together at a funeral on the final day, usually to the final resting place like a burial ground or crematorium. In Singapore, a cortege typically consists of a hearse, people following behind then a bus.
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Home cleansing ritual. The monk will usually visit the residence of the deceased to carry out a simple cleansing ritual. Once this is complete, Chinese customs to adhere to when someone passes on like taking newspapers to cover reflective surfaces and red paper to cover household deities can be removed. Lights can then be swtiched off as well. l
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Ancestral tablet prayer. After the cremation or burial has concluded, the reverend monk typically follows the family to where the ancestral tablet will be placed, for a short closing prayer. After a period of time, this ancestral tablet made of paper will be changed to a wooden one if the family wishes to keep the tablet. At times, the tablet for the deceased can be combined with other family members for the family's convenience.
A typical timeline
Every case is different, but here's an honest picture of timing, based on how our arrangements usually run:
Response time
If traffic is clear, we can usually arrive at the place of passing within about an hour to assist your family. During peak-hour traffic this may take a little longer — please bear with us, as our team is doing everything possible to reach you quickly.
Embalming
After body collection, embalming typically takes a minimum of three hours, depending on the size of the body and how it responds to the process, before the body is sent back to the wake venue — provided the tentage has already been set up.
Tentage setup
Tentage setup can sometimes take longer than expected, particularly during busy periods such as the seventh month or months with big events like 九王爷. Just to note that the recommended timing to set up tentage is anytime between 6am to 10pm. Any time out of this timings may at times unintentionally disturb neighbours.
Final-day ceremony
The final day's ceremony typically takes about 3.5 hours in total — from the time our staff arrive at the wake to assist, through to the time family members return to the wake venue after cremation or burial. A burial service will usually be longer.
Buddhist funeral packages
Built around the rites on this page, with no hidden add-ons on the day. Pricing depends mainly on the wake venue:
Lower-Priced Option
A simpler direct cremation arrangement for families who prefer a shorter or more private farewell, while the essential logistics are still fully handled.
View DetailsParlour or Home Wake
A full wake held indoors at a funeral parlour or at home — Reverend Head Monk coordination, chanting sessions, altar setup, hearse and full wake logistics.
View DetailsVoid Deck Wake
A full wake with outdoor tentage at the void deck of the deceased's HDB block, including permit coordination, Reverend head Monk arrangements, cortege and hearse.
View DetailsSee the full breakdown of what's included in each package on our funeral packages page.
What families say
They picked up at 2am and had someone at the hospital within the hour. We didn't have to explain anything twice.
Buddhist funeral FAQs
How much does a Buddhist funeral cost in Singapore with Farewell Funerals?
Our Buddhist packages is at $5,280 for a void deck wake, $4,680 for a wake held at a funeral parlour or at home, and $1,380 for a lower-priced direct cremation option — all covering monk coordination, chanting sessions, altar setup, cortege and hearse arrangements, with no hidden fees. See the full breakdown on our funeral packages page.
What temples and monks do you work with for Buddhist funerals?
We coordinate closely with a small, vetted panel of reputable temples across Singapore, working directly with a Head Monk to arrange the rites your family requests.
What chanting is performed during a Buddhist wake?
Typically, a Buddhist chanting session is performed on the first day, again on the final night of the wake, and once more on the final day before the funeral service. We can also arrange prayers every night if it is the family's wish to do so.
Do you perform a house cleansing ritual?
Yes. The monk will usually visit the family home to carry out a simple cleansing ritual. Once this is done, the newspaper covering reflective surfaces and the red paper covering household deities can be removed.
Does the monk accompany the family after the cremation or burial?
Yes, the reverend monk typically follows the family to where the ancestral tablet will be placed, to conduct a short prayer once the cremation or burial has concluded.
How quickly can you respond after a death in the family?
In normal traffic conditions we can usually reach the place of passing within about an hour. During peak-hour traffic this may take slightly longer, though our team moves as quickly as possible.
How long does embalming take?
Embalming typically takes a minimum of three hours, depending on the size of the body and how it responds to the process, before the body is returned to the wake venue — provided the tentage has already been set up.
How long does the final-day ceremony take?
The final day's ceremony typically runs about three and a half hours in total, from the time our staff arrive at the wake to assist, through to the time family members return to the wake venue after cremation or burial.
Further reading on funerals & cremation in Singapore
For official guidance alongside our own advice, these government resources cover the administrative side of arranging a funeral in Singapore:
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Arranging a Funeral in Singapore — MyLegacy@LifeSG
Government guidance on funeral wake permissions, venue options and required documentation.
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Managing a Cremation Booking — MyLegacy@LifeSG
How cremation slots are booked at NEA-managed and privately managed crematoria, including temple-run facilities.
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After-Death Facilities & Services — National Environment Agency
Official information on cremation, burial and columbarium services managed by NEA.
Speak with our team about a Buddhist funeral arrangement.
Whatever the hour, our team can talk you through temple coordination, timing, and packages — void deck at $5,280, parlour or home at $4,680, or the lower-priced option at $1,380 — no obligation.