Making early final arrangements
By ALLISON LAI
Nation
Thursday, 08 Aug 2024


Last stop: Some of the coffin shops and funeral parlours found on Jalan Masjid, Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Rising costs and limited options are driving more Malaysians to plan their final arrangements carefully, such as securing affordable burial plots or columbarium niches in advance, say industry players.

They said this allows individuals to plan the payment of their final arrangements, providing peace of mind as well as financial security for themselves and their loved ones.

Malaysia Funeral Public Association secretary-general Nick Chow said rising costs have made pre-planning a more practical and accepted practice.

“The price surge is not isolated to a single aspect, but a domino effect touching every part of the industry,” he said in an interview.

For example, he said coffins for burial have seen a 50% to 250% increase in the past 10 years, while cremation coffins have risen by 30% to 150%.

“Many essential funeral items have also gone up by 20% to 250%,” said Chow, who estimated a standard cremation funeral package costs between RM10,000 and RM30,000, with a burial package ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000.

“The cost of a basic burial plot can range from RM40,000 to RM80,000 alone, before adding the funeral package.”

The director of Wan World Funeral Services said pre-owning packages for burial plots and columbarium niches are gaining popularity as people seek to secure affordable final resting places.

“This trend is gaining traction due to the rising cost of living and materials.

“Being prepared allows them to not be burdened by the financial strain of final arrangements and ensures that one’s wishes are heeded, rather than leaving that responsibility to grieving family members,” he said.

As the population ages and costs continue to rise, Chow says he expects the demand for these services to grow.

“Securing a final resting place in advance allows individuals to lock in current pricing and avoid future increases, providing peace of mind,” he said, adding that various reasons were behind the general price increase for funeral services, regardless of religious beliefs.

He noted that the recent diesel subsidy rationalisation has also led to higher transportation costs, creating a knock-on effect that has impacted the entire supply chain and raised prices across the board.

However, Chow said that the poor and underprivileged can always reach out to the association for assistance as it has been offering coffin donations and funeral services for the needy.

Perak-based Fook Loke Sau Casket Centre director Thung Siew Ching also cited increased costs in all essential funeral services, such as transportation, funeral staff, funeral parlour rental, cremation and burial sites.

“Other essential funeral items such as flowers, decorations, paper paraphernalia, burial clothes, incense and candles have also increased in price by 10% to 20%.

“This includes the coffin, which is the most important for any funeral, where prices have also gone up by at least 20%,” she said.

To alleviate families’ burdens and concerns, Thung said her company remains committed to support those facing financial constraints – to ensure that everyone has access to dignified final arrangements.

“We understand (times are) hard (so) we don’t simply raise prices.

“Also, any fixed-price package may not address what the family needs or match what they want.

“It’s important to provide affordable options and customised services to meet the diverse needs of the community,” she said.

Thung said the most basic cremation coffin that costs several hundred ringgit is still available, and is suitable for charity or those who need fast cremation.

“A funeral may cost from as low as RM3,000 to more than RM200,000.

“It only makes sense when providers respond by offering more flexible options and customisable packages – to cater to the diverse needs of consumers seeking to secure their final resting places in a cost-effective and meaningful way,” she said.

A casket and funeral service provider in Melaka who only wanted to be known as Heng said personalised packages with flexible payment plans will become increasingly popular in addressing evolving needs.

“People are more accepting of the notion of planning their final arrangements.

“This shift in mindset reflects a growing desire for control, financial security and the ability to alleviate the burden on loved ones during a difficult time,” he said.

Heng added that those who plan ahead were able to pay for their burial plot by installments, locking in the current price and lessening unexpected costs for their family.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024...al-arrangements

Serious answer:

If Muslim, the state religious authorities handle it as a last resort. Can't decide where to be buried, but at least they handle the dead body

Non-Muslims, rely on NGO's/Charity. Some like Tzu Chi will assist in some cases for unclaimed bodies from the hospitals where they can't find next of kin. Disposal via cremation. Even for non-type C, non-Tzu Chi belief deceased

I have seen cases where the state religious authorities deal with it when the hospital can't determine if they were Muslim or not, but usually for people from places where the population is mostly Muslim (Indonesia, Bangladesh, etc)

Pretty much

Handy when the state helps with the cost of funerals

Uh, no

Sea burials are legal in Malaysia

Sure permits and notifications are required, and limited to designated locations, but it is not banned

And this is why funeral directors have a job: to help guide through the process

Will you lend money for funeral expenses?

If they fail to pay up, do what? Seize the burial plot? Exhume the body and campak to the sea so can resell the plot?

Not many takers for environmentally friendly coffins
By GERARD GIMINO and HO JIA WEN
Nation
Thursday, 08 Aug 2024


PETALING JAYA: Despite the growing popularity of environmentally friendly coffins in neighbouring countries like Singapore, its use has yet to take off locally.

Since its introduction in Malaysia in 2013, these coffins only account for 5% to 10% of total coffin sales, said the Malaysia Funeral Public Association.

Association president Kong Thian Hau said the older generation may also be less inclined to use coffins made of cardboard.

“Those with traditional mindsets may be relatively conservative and find these hard to accept,” he said when contacted.

However, Kong said Generation Y, or those born in the 1990s, could be more open to the idea.

“We also expect higher use of environmentally friendly coffins when it is their time to carry out funeral planning,” he said.

Kong explained that environmentally friendly coffins are generally made of thick cardboard and corrugated paper, or materials that have lower carbon footprint, which results in less emissions during cremation.

“It uses many patented technologies to provide moisture resistance, load-bearing capacity and more. It is not just simply about using thick cardboard,” he said.

While some perceive cardboard coffins to be cheaper, the reverse is actually true.

“Existing products in Malaysia are mainly imported from places such as the United States and Hong Kong. Due to the exchange rate and transportation cost, prices may be higher than traditional ones,” he said.

Association deputy chairman Jamelia Looi Heng Ling said those producing eco-coffins pay close attention to ensure the production chain is eco-friendly, in addition to the materials used.

“Environmentally certified products are generally more expensive.

“In light of this, prices of environmentally friendly coffins are relatively higher,” she said, adding that the imported ones are only suitable for cremation and not burials.

“Cremation must also be carried out with specially formulated technology. Thick cardboard is relatively easy to burn and the flame intensity cannot be too strong.

“Otherwise, the outer layer of the coffin will be completely burnt before the body inside has turned into ashes,” she said, adding that most crematoriums in the country are only suitable for cremating traditional coffins.

“If environmentally friendly coffins are used, they usually need to be sent to specific private crematoriums, which can result in higher total funeral costs,” she added.

Fook Loke Sau Casket Centre director Thung Siew Ching said some people have qualms using environmentally friendly coffins, especially those who organise wakes for the deceased.

“There are those who use dry ice in this process, which can result in moist conditions that some quarters may be uncomfortable with,” she said.

On the other hand, there is ready demand for environmentally friendly urns.

“It is made in a way that will dissolve upon touching water. However, the urn must be carefully handled as it is made with material similar to paper and dissolves quickly,” she said.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024...riendly-coffins

inb4 Muslims don't use confins

Conversion to Islam invalidates any wills created prior to being Muslim

And Muslim's can only give max 1/3 of their estate of non-Muslims

Yes

No limitation in how much non-Muslims can will their estate to Muslims

Nak beri 100% pun boleh

To the Muslim cemetery lor

inb4 don't have family

inb4 no relatives

Most of us prefer not to be on the USA's Most Wanted Terrorist list and be taken out by US Special Forces just so we can get a FOC sea burial

Bidayuh, Iban, Kadazan, dan lan-lain, undertakers how?

Depends on the person. Some people don't like the idea of being cremated, so prefer full body burial.

Others don't mind, or in fact prefer, cremation

Generally speaking, yes.

Most people don't die more than once.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...gers-at-temple/

Not having kids to go through this is easier (and cheaper)

Depends on the cemetery

The different Chinese clan associations, a specific church/temple, the faith denomination, sometimes a private benefactor

Because of this diverse range of ownership, maintenance can vary. Some clan association may have money, some specific church/temple may have no money, others like the Jewish cemetery in Penang are maintained by a Indian family for 3 generations

Don't forget this: https://www.businessinsider.com/qingming-ba...es-masks-2022-4

Type-C afterlife is rough: dead already still need to be concerned about the pandemics of the living