Even exiting the earth costs a fortune these days...

The Malaysia Funeral Public Association predicts that by the end of August this year, funeral package rates may have increased by as much as 20%. The organization's head has ascribed the price increase to the skyrocketing cost of funeral supplies and religious objects, which has increased by a staggering 250%.

To illustrate,  3-day-2-night funerary packages might increase from RM20,000 to RM24,000, while 2-day-1-night funerary packages could potentially rise from RM10,000 to a staggering RM12,000. 

That's a lot of money!

Funeral organisers should practice more compassion in this case

Speaking to Sin Chew Daily, Mr. Jiang Yu Hao, the association's chairman, asked funeral directors of all races and religions to be understanding of Malaysians' struggle in light of the present economic slowdown and to carefully evaluate how they should negotiate the right and reasonable prices.

Jiang added that traditional Chinese funeral parlours are small and medium-sized companies that do not run on a commercial model, pointing out that many of the practises associated with Chinese funerals have been passed down from Mainland China. In order to avoid passing on the greater costs to customers by raising prices, they would often endeavour to bear as much of the cost as feasible.

Inadequate manpower contributes to the issue as well

Jiang also addressed the issue of the present labour shortage in the funeral industry and encouraged the government to take into account the challenges they have encountered when attempting to acquire foreign workers to fill critical positions. Due to the degrading stereotypes that are frequently attached to the profession,  it unfortunately discourages locals from entering the field.

If funerals costs are reaching tens of thousands to pay for, and living is becoming too expensive, what are we to do?