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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) ON BUDDHIST FUNERAL DO BUDDHISTS BURY OR CREMATE THE DECEASED? After a Buddhist dies, the body of the deceased is usually cremated within 24 hours, though some people prefer to be buried. WHAT DO BUDDHIST MONKS DO AT A FUNERAL? Usually, the first thing they do is make an offering to the Buddha for the deceased. After that, one of them usually gives a talk on the impermanence of life and the transitory nature of all things material. The Buddhist monks will also conduct chanting by reciting mantras to eradicate the past bad karma created by the deceased and to bless the person with good karma for his future lives. The monks will also burn incense and candles and perform other rites to help cleanse the energy of the deceased. WHAT DO BUDDHISTS BELIEVE ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH? Buddhists believe that when we die, our consciousness leaves our physical body and enters into another more subtle body which is made up of a combination of physical, astral and mental elements. This new body remains in a state of becoming until the next birth, when it is reborn with a new collection of karmic imprints based on the merit/demerit of the previous life. DO BUDDHISTS BELIEVE IN HEAVEN AND ****? Buddhists do not believe in heaven or ****. They believe that everyone who has died will be reborn according to their own actions during their previous life. BUDDHIST DEATH RITUALS 49 DAYS – WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? This is the time period that Buddhists believe the consciousness of the deceased remains sensitive to the results of his actions in his current life and to the conditions of his rebirth. Therefore, it is very important for the living to help the deceased to achieve enlightenment by eradicating his negative karma and by bestowing upon him as much positive karma as they can. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAMSARA AND NIRVANA? Samsara is the ever-changing and unsatisfactory state of being that we experience due to the law of cause and effect. It is an endless cycle of pain, pleasure, and dissatisfaction. The only way out is through the door of nirvana, which is the state of total freedom and bliss that is beyond all forms of samsara. WHAT DO YOU WEAR TO A BUDDHIST FUNERAL? White is the traditional colour for mourners at a Buddhist funeral. It is disrespectful to the deceased to wear brightly coloured clothing to a Buddhist funeral. Wearing bright, fanciful colours is seen as distracting the mourners from their grief. HOW MANY DAYS IS A BUDDHIST FUNERAL? A Buddhist funeral usually lasts between 3 to 5 days in Singapore. WHAT ARE SOME BUDDHIST FUNERAL RITUALS IN SINGAPORE? In Buddhism the deceased is returned to the funeral wake or funeral home, where the body is prepared for burial or cremation. Monks will chant to cleanse the past karma and help ensure a happy rebirth for the deceased. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY AT A BUDDHIST FUNERAL? One of the most important things you can do for the grieving family is simply be there for them. Listen to them, give them your undivided attention and don’t try to force them to “get over it” as fast as they can. Give them time and space to grieve in their own way and at their own pace. You can comfort the grieving family with words such as “He/She is in a better place now.” HOW MUCH DOES A BUDDHIST FUNERAL COST IN SINGAPORE? At Elite Funeral Services, we offer honest and affordable Buddhist funeral packages with transparent pricing from just $5,388 for a 3-day funeral arrangement. If you wish to arrange a grander funeral for your loved one, we can also help you with special VIP arrangements. HOW TO ARRANGE A BUDDHIST FUNERAL IN SINGAPORE? You can contact our experienced funeral directors at Elite Funeral Services for advice and assistance anytime. Our 24-hour hotline is +65 8823 7979.