How long does a Buddhist funeral last? While some may tell you the ceremonies last about 45 minutes to an hour, what you may not know is that there is often a longer period of mourning taken into account when there is a death in the family. While there are vast...
In funerals, people hold their cultures and beliefs about death and funerals closely as they carry out the relevant rites for the final send-off. For someone who is experiencing them for the first time, it can be an eye-opener to be exposed to these customs and...
Planning a funeral can be challenging, especially for those who are currently grieving over their loss. It is hard to stay focused on making sensible and rational decisions, often when emotions get overwhelming at times. This is especially important when they have to...
Most people would have heard of Confucius, or the school of thought that the great man founded – Confucianism. Also called Ruism, Confucianism is a set of ideology and philosophies that govern the way of life. Although it stemmed from China some 2000 years ago,...
Every culture has their own beliefs and central purposes for funerals. In the Buddhist culture, funerals are an occasion for sending off the deceased and helping them enter the afterlife. Notions of filial piety are also held in high regard, as the deceased’s family...
Matters of life and death are commemorated very differently across different cultures and traditions. To make things more complicated, these practices are ever-changing as the world evolves. In Singapore, the multicultural aspect of our people also presents a unique...
It can be an eye-opener if one has never attended a Chinese-style funeral before. Rather than risk making any mistakes at the funeral, it is always helpful to know a little bit about the expected etiquette to follow as a funeral visitor. While ‘Chinese’ funerals in...
Regardless if the deceased is someone you barely know, or the family member of someone you are close to, it is only polite to show your respect at the funeral. The question is, what’s the best way to show your condolences while being sensitive and genuine? When it...
Filial piety is one of the cornerstones of Confucianism, and is a greatly valued trait in many cultures. Buddhism is one religion that emphasises heavily on filial piety as well. While you may know filial piety as the respect and gratitude you show to your parents,...
Buddhist funeral services are centered on the belief of reincarnation and karma, as well as the latter’s effect on rebirth. This means that the quality and quantity of karma accumulated during a deceased’s lifetimes will determine how he reincarnates in his next life....
