Why Pre-Planning?

It's always a good idea to prepare for events in advance, whether it be a holiday trip, a family occasion, or a social function. The very same holds true for Afterlife Pre-Planning.

Why Pre-Planning?

Pre-planning is choosing your end-of-life arrangements before your inevitable death occurs. Here are the essential things people decide on during pre-planning:

Choice between burial or cremation

Casket and/or urn types

Type of memorial service (Buddhist, Catholic, etc.)

Location of funeral and/or memorial service

Reception and catering arrangements

Embalming and make-up services

Encoffin items and prayer materials

Parlour and altar set-ups

Reception table set-up (condolence money box, memorial book, signage)

Miscellaneous set-up (tables and chairs, carpet, curtains, fans/air cooler/air conditioning unit)

Floral arrangements

Obituaries (newspaper/online)

Funeral notice

Funeral notice

The list above seems exhaustive at first glance. However, pre-planning is particularly relevant to Singaporeans at the current time because the country has one of the most rapidly ageing populations in the world. It is estimated that by 2030, one in four people will be aged over 65 years, and, that this will rise to almost one in two by 2050.

With these statistics in mind, pre-planning matters now more than ever. An increasing number of people will make it their concern to pre-plan their afterlife, and we've list out some of the reasons why you should as well.

4 Reasons Why You Should Pre-Plan

1. To Protect Your Savings

In 2022, an average funeral costs around SGD 5,600 to SGD 37,300. The catch is that funeral costs are getting more expensive every year due to inflation.

This next part is merely for illustration purposes and is only a sample calculation for you to understand better.

So let's say you are a 40-year-old looking to pre-plan now. The current life expectancy in Singapore for 2022 is 84 years old.

If we assume a humble 2% inflation rate per year, an SGD 17,000 funeral today will cost you exactly SGD 40,630 by the time you are 84 years old. You'll be saving around SGD 23,000 with pre-planning!

Sample Inflation Calculation

Future Cost = Current Cost*(1 + Inflation Rate)^ Number of Years

Future Cost = 17,000(1 + 2)^ 44

Future Cost = SGD 40,630

This money saved makes room for other necessary expenses you and your family might need such as hospitalisation bills, tuition, insurance payments, and more.

2. To Give Your Family A Peace Of Mind & Security

Death can be an uncomfortable topic for some families. Still, your family's peace of mind & security that comes after pre-planning far outweighs the discomfort of talking about a perceived taboo.

According to the survey published by Lien Foundation in April 2014, 87% of Singaporeans want to ensure that their death would not be a financial burden to their families. What better way to ensure this than through pre-planning, where the money you've saved from inflation can be put to better use?

3. To Have The Luxury Of Choice

Your final send-off should be on your terms, not anyone else's.

Making your own choices—from the clothes you'll be wearing, to the guests to be invited,

and more—will help give a sense of empowerment and fulfilment which comes from having even your final days planned ahead.

Without pre-planning, your bereaved family may run the risk of doing things you would not have preferred, despite their best intentions. They will be burdened with hundreds of decisions in the first 24 hours of your passing alone (not to mention they'll be grieving),

and all these decisions will not be given enough time and attention if your family does not know what to do.

On the other hand, if you have a pre-plan in place, all decisions down to the tiniest details will not be an issue.