While many may think it’s just a matter of whisking together milk, flour and eggs, CK swears that no one does pancakes better than her dad! He is fondly remembered as someone who not only cooks well, but who is great with children. He was a loving and dedicated family man.
When Mr Koh breathed his last breath at age 89 years at his home on 18 February this year, the family mourned his passing. “We did not have the “to do list” to prepare for his passing at home, though dad was home bound and frail for the past few years,” CK said. “Perhaps we just didn’t want to face up to it.”
CK, however, remembered one important piece of information - Hosanna Bereavement Services (HBS) set up by the Methodist Co-operative Society Ltd. CK had heard good things about the bereavement services from her Methodist pastors and having attended a few Christian funeral services.
Upon making the first contact, HBS provided clear step-by-step instructions on the whole process - from getting a Certificate of Cause of Death to making a police report; from booking of the wake venue, catering and transport to cremation and arranging for sea burial. Every detail was looked into with a deep sense of care and respect.
“The bereavement team was very accommodating. My dad passed on just after midnight and the team waited patiently for quite some time while we tried to locate one of our siblings,” recalled CK. “We were given enough space and time to bid farewell before dad was taken away to be embalmed.”
“The team went the extra mile in more ways than one to ensure that my family did not have to take on any additional stress of worrying about the wake and funeral process.”
One of the objectives of HBS is to help bereaved families make prudent decisions with regards to expenditure on bereavement services.
“This is so important especially in a time of grief, it can be difficult to make even the smallest decision.”
“Not only did their professionalism, compassion and dignified handling of my father’s funeral arrangements made this difficult time a little easier to bear, it brought a measure of comfort to my family,” said CK.
“So for now, it’s hasta la vista, Dad!”