Rethink funeral attendance guidelines in Phase One of reopening

It has been about two months since the authorities introduced guidelines on funerals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under Section 13B of the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 — deleted from the statutes on June 2, when Singapore lifted circuit breaker restrictions — a funeral director or bereaved family must take all reasonable steps to ensure that there are no more than 10 people attending a funeral at any time. 

This limit also applies to the foot procession send-off and attendance at the crematorium or cemetery. 

Funeral directors have also been advising bereaved families to encourage their visitors to come at staggered times.

In Phase One of our nation's reopening after eight weeks of stay-home controls, families can continue to gather for wakes and funerals, with no more than 10 people at any time.

This does not seem to be different from Section 13B that was introduced during the circuit breaker to curb the spread of Covid-19.

It is my hope that these guidelines governing wakes and funerals can be relaxed further in the weeks and months ahead. 

For Muslim families who have to bury their loved ones, it is almost impossible to adhere to the guidelines, as a Muslim funeral is often a family affair that also frequently involves extended family members.

On the final night of prayers for Christian, Taoist or Buddhist funerals, such guidelines may be seen as draconian, bereft of cultural sensibilities and oblivious to the need for community support in times of grief. 

It should be clear to the authorities, including town councils responsible for issuing permits to hold funerals in the community, that these guidelines are difficult to enforce, given the sensitivities of a funeral. 

No family should have the threat of fines weighing on their minds as they cope with the loss of their loved ones.

While Singaporeans understand and support the need for precautions during the pandemic, it is important that guidelines consider and reflect the realities of daily living and the critical roles that funerals play.

Instead of an arbitrary number, each bereaved family should work closely with their funeral director to iron out an attendance number in accordance with the size of the immediate family of the deceased. 

For instance, each person in a family of four should be allowed up to five visitors at a wake or funeral at any time. 

Visitors must continue to observe safe-distancing precautions such as the 1m rule, though it may not be entirely possible to discourage seniors directly related to the deceased from attending a funeral. 

A SafeEntry code should also be made available at every funeral, and funeral directors should make it a point to deploy a representative to ensure that the contact details of every visitor are recorded. Visitors could also have their identity cards scanned.

There needs to be a different set of guidelines for bereaved families in Singapore as we resume social and business activities.

In trying times like these, the least we want in our communities is unresolved grief. 

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