Taoist Funeral Services

Taoist Funeral Services vary mostly based on the dialect group of the person who died. Rituals and Ceremonies vary between dialect groups (Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese & Hakka). So, the things needed would be different as well. A funeral director with plenty of experience would be able to help the family through the process by giving them advice and direction.

The fundamental work of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, was authored by the philosopher Lao Tzu in 500 BCE. Taoists believe humans and animals should live in harmony with the universe. Taoists believe the body’s spirit enters the universe after death.

The person’s whole life will be laid out in front of them, and the Kings of Hell will decide if their good deeds are greater than their bad ones or if it’s the other way around. If the first, the person will be sent to wait for a new life. If it is the second option, the person will be sent to one of the other nine courts of hell, where they will be punished for their sins.

Preparation of Taoist Funeral

When preparing the body of the dead person, funeral workers will clean the body with a wet towel and put on makeup to make the body look as natural and presentable as possible.

The deceased will then be dressed in their best clothes or their favourite clothes, which they or their family will choose. No matter what, you should never wear bright red clothes because it is thought that this will make the dead turn into angry spirits. There are special clothes called longevity suits that can be worn by the dead if they lived a long and happy life and had many children and grandchildren.

Depending on the deceased or the family’s preferences, a Taoist funeral procession will typically extend for three, five, or seven days. During this time, ordained Taoist priests will perform a variety of chanting rites in order to gain merits for the deceased, separate the deceased from the living, ask pardon from the gods, and many other things.

Taoist funerals in Singapore frequently include food and fruit offerings to the departed. Additionally typical items include rice, tea, candles, and lights. Each item in a Taoist funeral has a symbolic value, and frequently, the rites are done to make sure the departed person’s soul travels smoothly to the hereafter.

In most cases, a pearl is also put in the mouth of the deceased. With its reflective qualities, the pearl is thought to shield the body of the dead and to be a helpful element in hell. A bag of rice may be placed on top of the coffin in some dialects.

Priests chant Taoist scriptures accompanied by Chinese musical instruments during the service. For some dialect groups, the head priest surrounds a fire surrounded by nine tiles that depict the different degrees of hell. He then shatters it to represent the liberation of the deceased from damnation.

In Singapore, a Taoist funeral procession is incomplete without paper items. As a gift for the deceased to take with them on their journey to the hereafter, paper offerings and paper products such as “hell notes,” houses, servants, automobiles, and personal items will be burned. Keeping up with the times, there are also paper iPhones and other paper electrical devices that will be burned to make the deceased as comfortable as possible.

Taoist Funeral Packages from Ang Brothers Funeral Services start at $9,888 for 3 days. We have a team of professional Taoist Funeral Directors with abundance of knowledge, they know the specifics of each dialect’s funeral rites and how things are done. This will put your mind at ease. We are committed to making sure that the Taoist Funeral Rites and Customs are organized well so that the families can focus on healing and mourning. Our funeral director will be with you every step of the way to help you figure out what to do.

Choosing our funeral services ensures that you receive professional and compassionate support during this difficult time. Whether you require a Taoist funeral package, a customized funeral package based on your preferences, or a comprehensive funeral service in Singapore, we are committed to delivering a meaningful and respectful farewell for your loved one.