Tomorrow is November 1. Something on the Macabre. . The Business of Caring for Our Departed Ones.

We have often heard the saying, "There are only 2 things certain in Life and that is Death and Taxes" but to most people, we avoid any talk about Death.

Do you know that there is a thriving business in dealing with the Departed, to wit:

1.  Look at the expansion of Memorial chapels for the Rich and Famous.  Ex Funenaria Paz, Araneta Ave and Downtown Manila, is now in Sucat (inside the Manila Memorial Park, one of the premiere memorial parks in the country) to cater to the affluent communities in Paranaque ((BP, Tahanan Village), Alabang (Ayala-Alabang, San Jose Subd) and more.

Crypts at St Therese Columbarium

  2.  Several Columbariums have risen up (no pun intended) in the country (Columbarium etc).

  3.  Technology invades the Business of Funeral Parlors.  St. Peter's Memorial Chapel offers eBurol (Burol is wake in Tagalog) so that relatives of the departed who are not able to come home to attend the wake and burial (think Green Card holders, OFWs, TNTs or illegal immigrants hehehe) can view the proceedings from where they are based.

Painted on the bluegreen gate "eBurol of St Peter Memorial

4.  The Karaoke is not anymore the exclusive of sing-along bars and night clubs.  My friend went home to Pangasinan and at the plaza, there was a parade/motorcade of sorts led by a cargo truck.  In the rear of the truck, there was a karaoke blaring loud music while a singer was singing a pop tune (not a typical somber sad funeral music).  Apparently, the songs being played where favorites of the Deceased.

5.  In conjunction with No. 4, relatives of the Deceased can also hire a Funeral Planner.  Much like a Wedding Planner, the Funeral Planner is there to plan the whole Funeral proceedings from the wake to the funeral processions and finally, the burial. 

The relatives of the Deceased are either too distraught with the death of their Loved Ones (that they do not have the frame of mind to plan the funeral) or that during the wake and burial, the relatives would like to spend time talking and commiserating with other relatives and friends of the Deceased.

Paper replica of money bills to be burned during the burial ceremony

Paper replica of the Deceased's house

   6.  In Chinatown, there is a thriving business in making Paper reproductions of the worldly possessions of Chinese affluents who have passed away.  You will see colorful paper replicas of bills of money, house, cars and other earthly belongings which will be carried to the final resting of the Deceased to be burned.  (My mom said this is so that the Deceased can bring his earthly possessions to the Great Beyond for his enjoyment.

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