Mr. Shane Teo

I recently ran across an article from the Straits Times of Singapore featuring the young life history of Mr. Shane Teo who is an embalming apprentice with one of the largest companies in Singapore, Ang Chin Moh.

In reading the article, and I don’t pretend to know a great deal of the culture in Singapore, I was struck by how his evolution into an embalmer is very similar to many funeral directors in the United States.  As a youngster Mr. Teo was intrigued by death and grieving as are many non-family member funeral directors.  He also came to this position as a second career which is also very similar to many funeral directors in the United States.

Mr. Teo, who’s father was an airline pilot originally studied aerospace avionics but when he found the chance he jumped to a funeral home company and began working in human resources.  Eventually, he showed an interest for embalming and the company sent him to Scotland for schooling on the subject.  He generally works days, but has a schedule where he also takes night calls.

My own research has uncovered the fact that Singapore is home to only about 5.3 million people and has an average of about 17,500 deaths per year.  Of those deaths, over 80% are cremated.  And, according to the article, Singapore has less than 20 registered embalmers for the approximately 3,500 deaths that are embalmed.

Funeral Director Daily take:  I found this a most interesting article and was struck at the similarities with many who go into the mortuary business. I also found it interesting and, again, very similar to the United States when he is quoted as saying, “It’s worth it because the work is very fulfilling.  We take care of the dead but the service is for the living”.  During our careers we have all either said or heard that statement.

There was also a bit of ironic humor that hit for me in the article when Mr. Teo said that he used to tell girls on the first date he was an aspiring embalmer.  He has since quit that practice because “many second dates did not materialize as a result”.   [wpforms id=”436″ title=”true” description=”true”]