Providing the best for the dead

CHERAS, Kuala Lumpur - Fancy resting permanently in a RM88,888 (S$36,400) coffin? This is actually slightly higher than the world's most expensive casket belonging to the Prince of Pop Michael Jackson which cost approximately RM80,000.

Imported from the United States, the solid mahogany casket costs RM88,888.

The United States-imported casket is made of solid mahogany, equipped with pure velvet bedding materials and adjustable headrest. It is exquisite and sits among many others, including bio-degradable caskets and urns, at the Xiao En Centre in Cheras.

Xiao En Centre's managing director Datuk Frank Choo Chuo Siong said the company heavily relied on filial piety and gratitude to serve its customers, hence the term Xiao En.

"The park was the brainchild of my late father Datuk Choo Ching Hwa.

"I provide services for one's last journey and ensure the deceased passes on with dignity," said Chuo Siong, who has been in the industry for more than 20 years.

The 46-year-old said his late father was determined to provide the best for the dead after bad experiences concerning Chuo Siong's grandfather.

"The funeral packages are catered for Buddhists, Taoists and Christians."

He said the packages cost between RM9,888 and RM39,888, while bio-degradable caskets and urns began from RM16,000 and RM588 respectively.

Customers who wish to perform an eco-friendly funeral service can choose from the various bio-degradable urns displayed at the Xiao En Centre in Jalan Kuari, Cheras.

"The urns can be placed either in the garden or air-conditioned columbariums."

Chuo Siong said his father used to take him to visit countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and the United States to view memorial parks and conducted intensive research for three years before finally opening the Nilai Memorial Park to the public in 1991.

"Having graduated with an economics degree, I had to suddenly learn and accept death to understand my customers' wants and needs. This was an uphill task."