Phase 3
2 – 5 Days After
The next step is the Wake. During the Wake, either the next of kin or the Funeral Parlour can get the Death Certificate issued. The next of kin must also decide on the final resting place. Depending on what was decided, the next of kin needs to make the purchase of a burial plot, a place in the columbaria or urn garden if not already done so.
After the wake, the body will either be buried or cremated, based on what was decided. For burial, the body will be transported to the cemetery and buried there.
If cremation is selected, then the ashes will need to be collected after cremation and the urn with the ashes will be installed in the columbaria or urn garden. If scattering at sea was selected, then the ashes will be scattered at sea.
Malaysia Funeral Process Flow Diagram
Below is the process flow diagram for funerals in Malaysia.
Step 6
Wake
Funeral Hall / Home
Wake will be held based on the number of nights selected earlier. The Wake will follow on the religion of the deceased. Nirvana usually holds the wake for 3 days and 2 nights. Other funeral parlours have options for shorter or longer wake durations.
For Taoist and Buddist prayers, all funeral parlours provides this service. The funeral parlours will also provide Christian prayers. Outside of these religions, Nirvana also has Hindu funeral services, but the priests will need to be brought in from outside.
It is common practice for friends and family to give some condolence money or funeral donation (白金 in Chinese). Traditionally, this is used to help cover the cost of the funeral. However, if the deceased had prepared for the funeral by buying a pre planning package, this money can be put to other uses, such as paying off the debt of the deceased, or simply to help with living expenses of the next of kin during this difficult time.
Step 7
Issuance of Death Certificate
Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN)
Funeral Parlour can assist in the issuance of the Death Certificate. Alternately, the next of kin can do it themselves. This is done during the time of the Wake.
If the next of kin wishes to do it themselves, they will have to make a trip to the JPN offce with the Registration of Death and the deceased’s MyKad.
Using the funeral parlour to do this saves the next of kin time and effort so that they can focus on grieving. This is highly recommended.
The Death Certificate is critical for government processes, legal processes and financial processes.
Step 8
Decide on the Final Resting Place
Burial Plot / Columbaria / Urn Garden
During the wake, the next of kin will have to decide on the final resting place for the deceased.
A burial plot or a columbaria/urn garden will need to be purchased. An alternative is for scattering the ashes into the sea. On the last day of the Wake, the burial / cremation will take place.
The next of kin will have to decide on where the final resting place will be. We recommend that a place which is convenient for family members to visit and pay their respects. Paying respects to the deceased an important part of grieving, and it allows the family to heal.
Fortunately, there are many choices available. Nirvana is one of the top choices, but it is not the only choice available. Depending on location and budget, a suitable location can be decided.
We are here to help. We sell Nirvana products and services, but we are able to help you decide on a location which is best for you based on your budget.
Step 9
Cremation
Crematorium
Cremation will be at a location closest to where the wake is held. The ashes are collected after cremation. The ashes are placed in the urn by the next of kin, and then transported to the columbaria.
Some one-stop funeral service providers have the crematorium on site, next to the columbaria or urn garden. That means the family and friends do not need to travel far. But that is not often the case. The crematorium may be quite a distance away from the Wake and the columbaria, and then there will be some distance which needs to be covered.
If the askes are to be scattered into the sea, then the family will need to make their way to the seaside location which they have decided on.
Step 10
Burial
Cemetery
Burial will require the deceased and family to be transported to the cemetery. The final funeral rites will be done there and the deceased buried.
One-stop funeral service provider have everything located in one location. So, logistics is relatively easy. But if the cemetary is done close to home, but the cemetary is further away, then the family and friends will need to make their way there.
Step 11
Installing the Urn
Columbaria / Urn Garden
The urn with the deceased’s ashes is installed in the columbaria or urn garden. Final funeral rites wil be done and the urn will be placed into the columbaria or urn garden and sealed.
Details such as the picture, name, date of birth, date of death, ancestral home, etc. will be required for the memorial picture to be printed and installed. Last words can be printed on the door of the columbaria or tombstone for a personal touch. This is highly recommended.
Different religious beliefs have different prayers and ceremonies. Most funeral parlours cater for Taoist, Buddhist and Christian ceremonies as standard.
Step 12
Scattering the Ashes into the Sea
Seaside
Funeral rites are done for scattering into the sea. A specific seaside location is chosen.
A location in a temple should be chosen to house the tablet where prayers can be done for the deceased.
Nirvana also has boat rental as an option for scattering of the ashes into the sea. We are not certain if other funeral parlours have this option.