By: Wee Wen Xin and Isabella Muhyeddin
When Singapore implemented the circuit breaker to minimise the spread of COVID-19 in April 2020, several non-essential services in the retail, entertainment and tourism industry were forced to cease their operations.
Only essential services were allowed to remain open. The funeral industry was one of them.
For some 400 funeral companies registered to serve the population across 6 major religions in Singapore, it has been business as usual. Almost.
4 service providers we spoke with shared how the industry has been adjusting to the new norms.
Stricter Regulations
With the pandemic comes stricter regulations laid out by the National Environment Agency (NEA). During phase 1 of the circuit breaker, funeral services were allowed to continue with safe distancing measures in place. All government-managed columbaria were to close while the installation of urns into niches could continue, with a permit. Choa Chu Kang Cemetery remained open for burials, and Mandai Crematorium remained open for cremation services.
However, attendees of funeral wakes were strictly limited to 10. The Ministry of Health advised that only family members should attend funerals, including having places of worship subject to group sizes of 10 persons or fewer at any one time for private worship and essential rites.
In the second phase of the circuit breaker, attendees of funeral wakes are strictly limited to 30. All guests have to wear a mask and observe safe distancing of 1 metre apart. Other compulsory measures include temperature checks and contact tracing via QR codes.
Funeral directors find it a challenge, in implementing such regulations on the grieving.
Casper Ang is the founder and funeral director of Ang Brothers Funeral Services. The family business has been around for 70 years, serving Buddhist and Taoist families.
The new rules were definitely something for them to adapt to.
“Our daily operations were affected when our clients had to go through temperature checks and SafeEntry check-ins. They were not necessary in the past,” Mr Ang said.
It was worse during the first phase as the limitation of guests was lower, and families started holding shorter funeral services.
Mr Anil Shah has been working as a funeral consultant at the Singapore Indian Casket.
“Most families opted to hold shorter wakes, skipping the elaborate ceremonies,” the 18-year-old-said. “They didn’t want to hold it for so long because there’s no point when only 10 people could come.”
Staff safety: Mr Anil Shah having his temperature checked by his boss, Mr SV Khantan. The company conducts temperature checks twice per day. Photo credit: Wee Wen Xin
Mr Ameer Al-Hakeem, managing director of Al-Hakeem Funeral Services found it heart wrenching when he had to be strict on limiting his grieving client’s family members from entering the wake.
“Death is a very sensitive topic, and sometimes the family members (of the deceased) are crying yet I have to remind them to follow the rules,” he said, “It’s a lot about using the right words.”
NEA takes the regulations seriously as Mr Hakeem was issued a warning once for unintentionally allowing 13 guests into the cemetery, “A camera in the cemetery captured the number of people that were present and they gave me a warning that I will be fined ten thousand for a repeated offence”
Smaller group, Shorter rituals
Having dealt with Hindu funeral services for 2 years, Mr Shah observed a huge difference in rituals ever since the pandemic, “Most of the rituals require family members to be in close proximity to one another or even holding hands, and that has to be changed.”
“One of the rituals involves family members going around the hearse with flowers or fire sticks but given the regulations, only 5 people are allowed to go at once,” he shared. “so we have to break them up into groups.”
Embalming is a common process in Buddhist funerals. However, it is not allowed for the deceased that were affected by COVID.
“For COVID cases, the bodies are sealed up immediately and cremated. We have to be more cautious with them,” Mr Ang shared.
Twisted traditions: Ang Brothers Funeral Services provides Buddhists funerals where body embalming is a common process. However, NEA has put a stop to the embalming of covid-infected corpses. Photo credit: Ang Brothers Funeral Services
Increased competition
One unexpected consequence of the pandemic is that with many non-essential businesses suspended during the circuit breaker, there has been an uptick in funeral companies joining the death industry.
Mr Ameer shared that he noticed an increase in competition during the circuit breaker.
“Maybe because funeral services are still able to operate,” he shared. “I have noticed more companies venturing into the death industry.”
Competitive business: With more competition in the funeral market, Mr Ameer Al-Hakeem is finding a struggle in keeping his business afloat. However, he believes that good customer service goes a long way in keeping his customers. Photo credit: Al-Hakeem funeral services
Mr Shah has also pointed out the same challenge, sharing that the number of Hindu funeral services have increased from 12 companies to 20. “It may seem like a small amount but because the Indian community is quite small, it actually affects us.”
However, he remained confident that the Singapore Indian Casket is a renowned company among the Hindu community for their good service and strong online presence.
Extra Work
Rituals may have been shortened, but the work of funeral directors was not reduced. In fact, they have more to do.
To ensure that their vehicles are eliminated of germs, Mr Shah’s company sanitises them after each wake.
“Even on nights where we end at 2 or 3 am, we still have to sanitise the vehicles, wash it down, to make sure it’s ready for the next use,” Mr Shah said.
Clean as you go: Mr Anil Shah seizing every opportunity to clean throughout the day. The company has been sanitising their vehicles more often ever since the pandemic, especially high-contact areas like car handers. Photo by: Isabella
Donning a full set of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear is a common practice among Mr Ameer and his staff when they are handling the dead bodies.
“Their health and safety always come first,” Mr Ameer said. “It might be slightly inconvenient, but I always remind them to wear their PPE.”
Prevention is better than cure: Mr Ameer ensures his staff are decked up in their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect their health. The former nurse understands the importance of donning the PPE while handling corpses. Photo credits: Al-Hakeem Funeral services
Business with a heart
With the pandemic affecting the economy, many have lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts.
Mr Ameer and Mr Shah have been taking pro-bono cases, to help lessen the financial burdens of their clients.
Pro-bono cases also known as “for the public good”. The term generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost.
Mr Ameer believes in helping the community during this tough time, “To me, this is not just a business. It’s not all about money. I believe in giving back to the community and helping those who are not able to afford the service.”
Pandemic dilemma: Mr Ameer sending off a deceased. To assist some of his clients that have been financially affected, he has been accepting instalment payment. Photo credits: Al-Hakeem Funeral services.
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