"A Christian funeral is a service performed by the Christian community for the benefit of its dead. It expresses the sorrow of the survivors, yet it always has a Paschal character. Ultimately, we die in Christ so as to celebrate with Him the feast of the Resurrection."
- YOUCAT #278
In Times of Bereavement
When a loved one passes away, call a priest or contact the Sacristan/ Parish Office to inform them of any pastoral needs
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​Funerals are often a time of distress for families and funeral arrangements under these circumstances can be challenging to coordinate. The Archdiocese of Singapore has streamlined the following course of action to assist the families of the deceased:
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As a principle the funeral is normally arranged at the parish of the deceased. (The parish of the deceased is determined by the parish that he/she normally had been attending for their Masses and liturgical services)
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Before arranging a time or day of funeral and cremation, do contact the parish concerned to determine the availability of a priest.
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In the event that the parish that was contacted is not the parish of the deceased, it would be the duty of the secretary to forward the information to the relevant parish and inform the families concerned.
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The parish office will assist in sourcing a priest of the parish or another priest for the families to conduct the funeral rites.
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Logistics will be arranged by the parish that will be conducting the funeral. (In the case of dispute, the territorial parish will assume responsibility for the funeral.)
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If the parish venue is not available, the parish should arrange for an alternative venue. (In exceptional cases, the Mass for the funeral can be held at the venue of the wake.)
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Interment at the Columbarium:
Contact our Sacristan, Therese at 8511 4614 (call/ WhatsApp).
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St Claude Prayer Room:
Contact our Sacristan, Therese at 8511 4614 (call/ WhatsApp) if you'd like to hold a wake in our parish.
For a list of other churches with wake facilities, click here.
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If you require any support/ assistance during this time of bereavement, contact Lilies of the Valley Bereavement Ministry
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For booking or purchasing of Niche, go to Columbarium Services
Other Logistic Matters
Obtain a Certificate of Cause of Death
If in a hospital, a doctor at the hospital can certify the cause of death and issue a certificate of cause of death​
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If death occurs outside a hospital, contact your family doctor to certify the death, or call the Police for the body to be sent to the Centre for Forensic Medicine if no doctor is available. The following should be brought along if possible:
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Any medical documents relating to the deceased
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Any medicine consumed by the deceased
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Identification papers of the informant and deceased
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Engage a Funeral Director
Please refer to the Classified Advertisements of the newspapers or the Catholic News, and consider the following before making any arrangements for a casket:
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Where should the wake to be held?
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How many days should the wake be?
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Burial or cremation?
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Is there a preferred time?
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Inform your priest to arrange for Mass, service and for other assistance
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Register the Death at the Nearest Police Post
Bring along the certificate of cause of death, the deceased's identification, and the informant’s identification. Make several copies of the death certificate to submit to various organizations, and the for the family to apply for compassionate leave.