Losing a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a tough thing to go through.
If they happen to pass away during a period of tighter restrictions, bereaved family members can’t get the consolation they need by being with relatives and friends.
What’s more, with a limit on funeral attendees, your deceased loved one can’t even have all their friends and family around them.
For some people, this is hard to take, and they’d rather break the COVID-19 rules in place.
Nearly 200 People Attended A Funeral in Boon Lay
That’s what happened when nearly 200 people attended a funeral procession in Boon Lay on Sunday (13 June).
According to The Straits Times, the group had allegedly circled Block 191 Boon Lay Drive for an hour, chanting loudly.
More than 10 people carried the white coffin of a 43-year-old man, whose obituary was on a notice board near the lift of the HDB block.
The deceased has four daughters and a son.
At the moment, only 20 people are allowed at funerals. What’s more, some of the attendees were maskless.
Lianhe Wanbao reported that the large crowd had started gathering as early as 1:00pm at the Block 191 playground.
The deceased was cremated around 6:00pm, but the proceedings lasted till about 7:00pm.
14 Arrested for Suspected Gang Involvement
People don’t usually get arrested at funerals, which is why it was rather surprising that 14 men in the group were taken in by the police.
They were arrested for being suspected members of an unlawful society.
“The police have zero tolerance towards secret society activities and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who are associated with gangs and blatantly disregard the law,” the police said.
They are also investigating the procession, and any potential breaches of safe distancing measures that may have occurred.
Man Jailed For Similar Offences Last Year
A 26-year-old man was jailed for similar offences last year, after he allowed more than 10 people to attend his father’s funeral.
Lim Wei Xuan, who is a secret society member, also conducted a ritual which ended with them shouting gang slogans three times.
None of the attendees wore masks either.
In the end, Lim was sentenced to six months and two weeks’ jail for his offences.
He pleaded guilty to being a member of a secret society, inviting another man to join the gang, and admitted that he had allowed more than ten people at the wake.
Being a member of an unlawful society is punishable with a three-year jail sentence and S$5,000 fine.
And for taking part in a gathering involving more participants than allowed during the pandemic, an offender can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to S$10,000.
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