In a world where career choices often follow conventional paths, Harmony Tee is one woman who, seven years ago, decided to quit her professional career in business accounting to join the death trade as a funeral director.
As the funeral director at Harmony Funeral Care in Singapore, she has not only embraced a path of helping her family business but has also turned it into a calling that serves grieving families with compassion and grace.
Her journey, however, was far from straightforward especially when she hit the biggest crisis of her life – cremating the wrong body!
From Numbers to Night Calls
Harmony’s career began in a vastly different setting—she graduated from NUS with a degree in accountancy and started her professional journey as an auditor at Ernst & Young. The corporate world seemed like the natural course for her, but life had other plans. When her father’s health deteriorated due to kidney failure and her family business struggled to find successors, she made the difficult decision to step in.
Despite initial hesitation and resistance from her mother, who worried about the industry’s rough edges and unconventional workforce, Harmony gave herself one year to learn the trade, an experience that pushed her to physical and emotional extremes. From sleepless nights to handling bereaved families, she faced immense challenges.
In The News For All The Wrong Reasons
The funeral industry is not for the faint-hearted. The physical demands, irregular hours, and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Learning the ropes required complete immersion—she spent a year without taking any days off, working around the clock, and even suffered from shingles due to extreme fatigue. Yet, she persevered, driven by the realization that her work was more than a job—it was a service to families in their most vulnerable moments.
One of the biggest trials in her career came in 2019 when a mistaken identity incident led to the cremation of the wrong body! The media attention was relentless and the public scrutiny was overwhelming. Harmony found herself questioning her future, facing an immense emotional burden and even contemplating walking away from the business.
However, in her darkest moments, she was reminded of her purpose—serving families with dignity and compassion. Instead of retreating, she strengthened her company’s protocols, ensuring such an incident would never happen again.
She was surprised yet touched when a stranger, who heard of her story in the news, decided to use her funeral services for his mother who had passed away.
Transforming a Tough and Traditional Industry
Despite the industry’s deep-rooted traditions, Harmony has continuously pushed for modernization. She introduced standardized attire for staff, professionalizing their appearance to elevate the dignity of funeral services. Understanding the importance of preserving memories, she incorporated video montages and live-streaming services, particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognizing shifting consumer behavior, she embraced digital marketing. Her company has an active presence on social media, including TikTok, where she educates the public about funeral rites and processes. This unconventional approach has even led to younger clients finding their services via TikTok!
Bad Days Don’t Last
Through all the hardships and triumphs, Harmony has come to embody a powerful belief: there is always a solution to every problem. Her passion, empathy and commitment to her work have not only shaped her career but have also transformed how people perceive the funeral industry.
She also finds solace in self-help books, drawing wisdom and inspiration from them to navigate life’s challenges. Whether facing personal doubts, societal expectations, or business crises, she has learned that growth often comes from the most unexpected places.
As Harmony puts it, “Bad days don’t last—just like good days. It’s about how you pick yourself up that really matters. And always remember why you are in the business that you are in.”
Interested in starting your podcast? Ever since I started mine, many business owners asked me how they too could start their own podcast so much so that I decided to write an ebook sharing everything that I do in my podcast and more. If starting a podcast is something you’d like to explore, check out my brand new ebook, Podcasting Power.