WHEN the going gets tough, the undertakers get going.

Undertakers are seeing more families turn to them for help in preparing last rites for their loved ones when they cannot afford it.

Undertaker Peter Loh said he used to handle one to two 'pro bono' cases in six months. Now, he sees just as many in a month.

Another undertaker, who has been in the line for 20 years, said he had waived his fees for more families facing financial difficulties.

A simple funeral costs between $1,000 and $4,000.

Undertakers told my paper that profit-making was the last thing on their minds when it came to the grieving needy.

For example, late last year, a 34-year-old man died and his body was discovered only three days later.

His only next-of-kin was his sister, whose husband had been retrenched, and they had three children to look after.

Mr Loh took care of all the funeral expenses.

'In this profession, I can't refuse people's requests to give their loved ones a final farewell. Because I'm helping people, why should I take money?' he said.

Funeral director Roland Tay agreed, saying: 'After a while, the (dead) feel like family. I feel at ease when I'm able to help them have a good send-off.'

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