Funerals rituals are many and varied. In this section we present a selection of rituals we have documented through interviews with funeral directors and priests.
The list of rituals here is not meant to be exhaustive, but to reflect the various objects and practices that have found their way to Singapore. The intentional mix of English, Cantonese and Mandarin to refer to different rituals reflects the everyday and colloquial use of such terms in Singapore, and how they arose in our conversational interviews with our informants.
As we continue our research, we aim to refine and add to the list, thus developing a real-time record of funeral rituals as they are conducted and interpreted in contemporary Singapore. We welcome further contributions from ritual and religious specialists, or everyday experiences from members of the public.
Click on the links below to see a description of each ritual/practice, and a photo (where available)
Pre-Death
Moment of Death
The Wake
- Death occurs
- 开路
- Cleansing the body 买水 、担幡买水
- Funeral Wear: 孝服，戴孝
- Setting up the altar and other arrangements
- Hell-breaking ritual Tiu Fo 跳火, 破城、破地狱
- Blood pond ritual 拜血湖、血池
- Salvation rituals 超度
- Keeping vigil 守灵
- 烧过河衣
The Funeral
- 揸手红包/手尾钱 za sao hong ba
- 安钉 (nailing of coffin lid) / 封棺
- Tsuk Ban 出殡 (funeral procession)
- Hei Qiu 起旐 、Lui Sai Qiu 女婿旐 (raising the son-in-law banner)
- Funeral Stick 丧杖
- Funeral band/performers
- 纸灵车 (Hearse)
- Comb-splitting 分梳
- 劈病
- Pre-cremation, cremation and/or burial
Post-Funeral