The Impact of a Sudden Loss on a Family

This is the story of the Oh family, whose lives were irrevocably changed on August 8, 2023. Mr. Oh, a beloved canteen worker at Woodlands Ring Secondary School, took his final departure from the place where he had worked for 30 years.

As August 8, 2023, approached, Mr. Oh began to show signs of jaundice, though neither he nor his wife noticed the change due to their daily routine. During a family gathering, his son-in-law observed Mr. Oh’s yellowing skin and expressed concern. Mr. Oh dismissed it as inconsequential. On August 1, 2023, Mr. Oh called for a family dinner, which turned out to be the last one the family would have together. He requested his favorite dishes and took pleasure in watching his family prepare the meal. As the evening drew to a close, his children noticed that he wasn’t wearing his usual covered shoes—a peculiar deviation, as he always wore them. Mr. Oh was secretly struggling with swollen feet, a late sign of cancer progression. On August 8, 2023, Mr. Oh’s daughter received a call from Mrs. Oh, who reported that Mr. Oh was unwell and sent a photo of his swollen leg. Rachel, his daughter, and her husband rushed to his side. When Rachel’s husband arrived at the house, he found Mr. Oh looking pale and lifeless. He quickly brought Mr. Oh outside and asked, “Pa, did you know you were very sick all along?” Mr. Oh nodded and cried, expressing his concern for his wife’s future without him.

Rachel arrived soon after, and they shared a tearful embrace, unaware that it would be their final moment together. Paramedics arrived shortly after, and Mr. Oh reported feeling shortness of breath—a sign that water was accumulating in his lungs. He was transported to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for observation and treatment. After a four-hour wait, the doctor informed the family that Mr. Oh would likely need to be hospitalized for at least seven days. At that point, only Mr. Oh’s son was allowed to visit him. The rest of the family held an emergency meeting with Mrs. Oh to discuss the situation. They video-called Mr. Oh to inform him that Rachel and her husband were on their way back to the hospital, promising to bring his phone charger. Just 15 minutes after the call, the family received a distressing call from the hospital at 10 p.m. The staff reported that Mr. Oh’s heart had stopped, and they were attempting to resuscitate him. As each family member arrived at the hospital, they were directed to a waiting room. Minutes felt like hours until three doctors entered and delivered the heartbreaking news: “We are sorry; we did our best.” The family’s hearts sank, and the room filled with sorrow and tears. The nurses asked for 10 minutes to prepare the family to see Mr. Oh. The pain of losing a parent is unimaginable, and the family had to quickly make funeral arrangements. They engaged Heavens Gate Funeral Services, and director Windsor arrived at the hospital to discuss the details of Mr. Oh’s funeral. Given Mr. Oh’s age and seniority, the family opted for a Taoist funeral service spanning five days.

Overnight, Heavens Gate Funeral arranged the ceremony at the multipurpose hall in Mr. Oh’s neighborhood. The turnout was overwhelming, with neighbors, school staff, and students from Woodlands Ring Secondary coming to pay their respects. Even Woodlands MP Mr. Vikram Nair and grassroots members visited.

Throughout the five-day funeral, Heavens Gate Funeral provided invaluable support, handling arrangements, religious ceremonies, and administrative tasks.

The Oh family expressed their deepest gratitude and emphasized the importance of pre-planning. They also encouraged anyone struggling with personal issues to seek support from community resources or to reach out for counseling. The team at Heavens Gate Funeral remains committed to listening and helping those in need.