A grieving family in Singapore has spoken out against a monk they hired for funeral services, claiming he acted carelessly during the rites and even recorded the wrong birthdate on their late mother’s spirit tablet. To make matters worse, the monk’s female disciple allegedly unleashed a barrage of vulgarities and cursed the deceased to “descend to the 18th level of hell and never be reborn.”
The troubling episode unfolded following the passing of 70-year-old Madam Chen, who died of a sudden heart attack on 10 July. According to her daughter, Ms Chen, 50, the family had initially arranged for a full funeral package that included a monk. However, her aunt insisted on using a monk she personally knew. Out of respect and to keep peace, Ms Chen relented and paid a transport fee to the original monk to cancel, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Monk Accused of Rushing Rituals & Disrespecting Family Concerns
The family hoped this recommended monk would assist them in properly sending off their beloved matriarch. Instead, Ms Chen said the monk appeared disengaged, recited sutras in a disinterested tone, and insisted on a full seven-day funeral. When the family asked questions, he allegedly brushed them off, claiming their concerns were “not important.”
“descend to the 18th level of hell and never be reborn.”
The situation escalated when the family discovered a glaring error — the monk had written the wrong date of birth on Madam Chen’s spirit tablet, listing 24 June instead of 26 June. When Ms Chen confronted him, his female disciple, who identified herself as “Cynthia,” allegedly sent voice messages containing vulgar language and a curse directed at the deceased.
In recordings reportedly heard by Shin Min Daily News, Cynthia allegedly cursed Madam Chen, wishing her eternal suffering in the “18th level of hell.”
Disciples Deny Wrongdoing, Blame Family Instead
When contacted for comment, the monk declined to speak and redirected questions to Cynthia, who claimed the family was at fault for giving the wrong date. She also accused Ms Chen of insulting her first, allegedly calling her the monk’s “mistress.”
Cynthia justified her verbal attacks as retaliation, stating she only responded after being provoked. However, Ms Chen admitted she used the term “mistress” only after her late mother was insulted. She maintained the monk and his disciple should have taken responsibility for the error instead of escalating tensions.
Adding to the family’s frustration, Ms Chen said a key funeral ceremony, meant to be conducted after 11pm on the sixth night, was instead performed after the cremation, in a rushed one-hour session. Even the funeral director was reportedly upset by this change. The monk later told the family that this was simply his personal practice.
Payment Disputes & Spiritual Impact of Incorrect Tablet
There was also disagreement over payment. Ms Chen claimed the monk initially charged $300 per ceremony, later discounting it to $200 — a total of $1,400. He allegedly pressured the family to pay upfront, though Cynthia insisted that money was only collected post-ceremony.
Well-known Singaporean folklorist Tan Khoon Yong commented on the matter, noting that monks usually set the timing of rituals, and that families can carry out additional rites later if necessary. He also warned that an incorrect birth year on a spirit tablet may result in the deceased not receiving offerings. However, errors in the day or month could be corrected through another ritual.
Fortune-teller Xu Yiting added that while timing holds some traditional importance, sincerity during the ceremony matters more than strictly following customs.
This incident highlights how sensitive funeral proceedings can be — and the harm that may arise when spiritual leaders neglect their responsibilities, especially during such emotionally vulnerable times for families.