IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Burial
Cremation
Niche
Coffin Permit (Import)
Coffin Permit (Export)
Coffin Permit (Tranship)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEASE OF BURIAL PLOT(S) AT CHOA CHU KANG CEMETERY

1. Bookings for burial are confirmed once payment is made. Any changes to the dates and times of the bookings will have to be made in person at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Office (910 Choa Chu Kang Road) by the applicant/next-of-kin of the deceased. Notwithstanding the above, the National Environment Agency (referred hereinafter as “NEA”) reserves the right to change the dates and times of the sessions booked by the applicant under exceptional circumstances as decided by NEA.
   
2. Before the actual burial service, and before 4:30pm on the day of burial, the applicant will have to bring the following documents to the booking office for verification:
   (i)    original Death Certificate, which contains the Permit to Bury/Cremate
   (ii)   NRIC or passport of applicant and next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iii)  Letter of authorization, if the applicant is not a next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iv)  Acknowledgement of payment which was generated upon online payment



3. Please arrange for the cortege to arrive within the allocated time.



4. Please note that the online applications for burial is only for burials of the recently deceased. Applications for burials of surgical/pathological or exhumed remains are to be made through the counter at the booking office.

2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LEASE

1. The lease of a burial plot shall commence from the date of burial and shall be for the duration of fifteen years.
   
2. No applicant shall be entitled to reserve any burial plot. The procedure referred to in Clause 2(c) shall apply strictly to all applicants.
   
3. Allocation of burial plots is strictly by sequential order and an applicant shall be allocated a burial plot on the day of the intended burial. An applicant shall not be entitled to select any other burial plot instead of the allocated burial plot.
   
4. An applicant shall be responsible for the structural maintenance and upkeep of the tombstone, monument and/or plaque including any turf or carpet grass planted on and around the burial plot.
   
5. Upon the expiry or termination of lease of a burial plot, NEA may carry out the exhumation of the corpse for reburial or cremation.
   
6. Notwithstanding Clause 2(a), NEA may terminate a lease of a burial plot by giving an applicant or a next-of-kin of the deceased a notice in writing if:-
   (i)    at any time the Cemetery is affected by the Government’s redevelopment or clearance plans; or
   (ii)   an applicant fails to comply with any term and condition or rule
          and regulation herein or any rule and regulation pertaining to the
          Cemetery that may be imposed from time to time.
   
7. All notices shall be deemed to be given if they are:-
   (i) placed on advertisement(s) in any public media; or
   (ii) posted and addressed to the applicant or the deceased’s next-of-kin at his usual or last known place of abode.
   
8. In the event that a lease is terminated under Clause 2(f), an applicant shall not be entitled to any refund of burial fee or compensation from NEA.
   
9. Without prejudice to Clause 2(f)(ii), an applicant shall be liable to NEA for any costs, expenses or charges that may be incurred by NEA as a result of his failure to comply with any term and condition or rule and regulation herein or any rule and regulation pertaining to the Cemetery that may be imposed from time to time.

3. PERMISSIBLE DIMENSIONS OF COFFIN

The size of the coffin shall not exceed the following dimensions:

Length = 210 cm (7 ft)
Width = 90 cm (3 ft)

4. RULES AND REGULATIONS

General

1. All visitors to the Cemetery are requested to demonstrate proper respect for the deceased and act accordingly with care and consideration for all.
   
2. No person shall bring any pet into the cemetery.
   
3. No person shall erect any tombstone, monument or structure of any sort on a grave without written permission from NEA. The size, design and inscriptions shall be subject to NEA’s approval.
   
4. No person shall burn any joss paper or any other offering or article on the grass verge or any part of the Cemetery ground other than in metal receptacles provided for such purpose.
   
5. Every person shall remove all perishable offerings deposited by him on the Cemetery ground after praying.
   
6. NEA may if it deems necessary for maintaining the tidiness and orderliness of the Cemetery ground, remove any hazardous, unsightly or otherwise inappropriate item(s) deposited by any person on any part of the Cemetery ground.
   
7. Canvassing or soliciting orders in the Cemetery is not permitted. Visitors are advised to report any incidents of illegal touting to the cemetery management

   Lawn Cemetery

8. No person shall erect any tombstone or monument in the Lawn Cemetery. A written application may however be made for the erection of a standard-sized name plaque, to be laid horizontally on a cement base of the grave and at the same level as the surrounding ground level.
   
9. Notwithstanding Clause 4(d), no person shall burn any joss stick, joss paper, candle or any other kind of offering in the Lawn Cemetery.
   
10. The erection of fencing, planting of shrubs/flowers, placing pebbles and all other materials on and around the grave is strictly prohibited.
    
11. The turfing on the grave plot shall be level with the surrounding ground.
    
12. NEA will periodically remove any water-bearing receptacles, windmills, artificial flowers, flower vases, cut flowers, etc that are left on the graves.
    

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION OF CREMATION SERVICES

Please read these instructions carefully before you proceed with the online application for cremation.

1. GENERAL

1. Bookings for cremation are confirmed once payment is made. Any changes to the dates and times of the bookings will have to be made in person at the Mandai Crematorium Booking Office (300 Mandai Road) by the applicant/next-of-kin of the deceased. Notwithstanding the above, the National Environment Agency (referred hereinafter as "NEA") reserves the right to change the dates and times of the sessions booked by the applicant under exceptional circumstances as decided by NEA.
   
   
2. Before the actual cremation service, and before 4:30pm on the day of cremation, the applicant will have to bring the following documents to the booking office for verification:
   (i)    Original Death Certificate, which contains the Permit to Bury/Cremate
   (ii)   NRIC or passport of applicant and next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iii)  Letter of authorization, if the applicant is not a next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iv)  Acknowledgement of payment which was generated upon online payment
   
3. Please note that the online applications for cremation is only for cremation of the recently deceased. Applications for cremation of surgical/pathological or exhumed remains are to be made through the counter at the booking office.

2. DECLARATION BY APPLICANT

3. PERSONAL BELONGINGS/VALUABLES

4. PERMISSIBLE DIMENSIONS OF COFFIN

The size of the coffin shall not exceed the following dimensions:

Length= 210 cm (7 ft)
Width = 60 cm (2 ft)
Depth = 56 cm (1 ft 10 ins)

5. COLLECTION OF CREMATED REMAINS

6. PAYMENT

7. CREMATION TIME

8. RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. All visitors to the Crematorium are requested to demonstrate proper respect for the deceased and act accordingly with care and consideration for all.
   
2. No person shall bring any pet into the crematorium.
   
3. No person shall burn any joss paper or any other offering or article on the grass verge or any part of the Crematorium ground.
   
4. Every person shall remove all perishable offerings deposited by him on the Crematorium ground after the cremation service.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STORAGE OF ASHES IN GOVERNMENT COLUMBARIA

Please read the following instructions, Terms and Conditions for storage of ashes and Rules and Regulations carefully before you proceed with the online application for columbarium niches.

1. GENERAL

1. Niches at government columbaria are allocated on a sequential basis. Applicants have a choice whether they wish to be allocated a niche, or select a niche of their choice during the online application.
   
2. Bookings for niches are confirmed once payment is made. Any changes to the niche allocated/selected will have to be made in person at the relevant booking office by the applicant/next-of-kin of the deceased.
   
3. Before the actual installation of the cremated ashes into the niches, the applicant will have to bring the following documents to the booking office for verification:
   (i) a) original death certificate of deceased, or
       b) original certificate of cremation of deceased
   (ii) NRIC or passport of applicant and next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iii) Letter of authorization, if the applicant is not a next-of-kin of the deceased
   (iv) Acknowledgement of payment which was generated upon online payment
   
4. Please note that the online application for niches is only for the recently deceased. Applications for niches for exhumed remains or transfer of remains from other columbaria are to be made through the counter at the relevant booking office.
   

2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STORAGE OF ASHES

1. Only the cremated ashes of deceased who are Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents and foreigners whose immediate* next-of-kin are Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents are allowed to be stored in a government columbarium.
   
2. An applicant shall ensure that the cremated ashes of the deceased person are stored in the niche allocated to or selected by him within 6 months from the date of his first application for storage of ashes in the niche. Should the applicant fail to do so, the offer for the storage of ashes in the niche shall lapse.
   
3. The fee is for the storage of ashes in the niche only, and does not include the urn, plaque or any installation works.
   
4. No applicant shall be entitled to any refund of fees paid by him upon the removal of the cremated ashes from any niche - that has been used to store the said cremated ashes.
   
5. An applicant shall obtain the written approval of NEA prior to the removal or storing of cremated ashes from or in a niche respectively.
   
6. A niche that is allocated to or selected by an applicant shall be used to store only the cremated ashes of the deceased person specified in the application submitted by the applicant and shall not be used to store the ashes of any other deceased person.
   
7. All niches shall be used for the storage of cremated human ashes only.
   
8. NEA shall not be responsible for any damage to any niche or plaque or for any spillage, damage or loss of ashes stored in a niche.
   
9. Provided that a niche previously selected by or allocated to an applicant has not yet been used to store any cremated ashes, the applicant may apply to:-

   (i) upgrade or downgrade from the niche previously allocated to or selected by him; or
   (ii) re-select another niche; or
   (iii) be re-allocated another niche,

   and the applicant shall:-

   (a) for upgrading cases, pay any additional fees payable together with his application for upgrading; and
   (b) for downgrading cases, if entitled to refund of any fees, be given the refund within 3 months after the application has been approved.
   

10. NEA may by giving an applicant or a next-of-kin of the deceased a notice in writing, repossess the niche if at any time:
    (i) the applicant breaches any term and condition relating to the storage of ashes or rule and regulation herein as well as any rule and regulation pertaining to the columbarium that may be imposed from time to time; or
    (ii) the columbarium is affected by the Government's redevelopment or clearance plans.
11. All notices shall be deemed to be given if they are:-
    (i) placed on advertisement(s) in any public media; or
    (ii) posted and addressed to the applicant or the deceased's next-of-kin at his usual or last known place of abode; or
    (iii) affixed to the niche containing the ashes of the deceased.
12. In the event that a niche is repossessed under Clause 2(j):-
    (i) the applicant shall collect the ashes of the deceased from the columbarium within the period as specified in the notice of repossession. Should he fail to do so, NEA may dispose of the ashes without further notice;
    (ii) an applicant shall not be entitled to any refund of any fees or compensation from the Government or NEA; and
    (iii) NEA may in its absolute discretion offer an applicant a replacement niche for the storage of ashes in another columbarium, subject to any new terms and conditions, if applicable.
13. An applicant shall adhere to all rules and regulations pertaining to the columbarium that may from time to time be imposed by NEA.
14. Without prejudice to Clause 2(j)(i), where an applicant breaches any term and condition or rule and regulation herein or any rule and regulation pertaining to the columbarium that may be imposed from time to time, the applicant shall be liable to the Government and the NEA for any costs, expenses or charges that may be incurred by the Government and the NEA as a result of the breach.
    

3. RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. All visitors to the Columbarium are requested to observe proper respect for the deceased and act accordingly with care and consideration for all.
   
2. No person shall bring any animal into the columbarium complex.
   
3. No person shall erect any structure, platform or other extension at or around the niche or in any other area within the columbarium complex.
   
4. Niche plaques of colours or material other than the standard white marble shall be subject to NEA's approval.
   
5. There is no restriction on the number of urns to be placed within a niche, subject to the availability of space.
   
6. Floral decorations may be displayed at the flower holder next to each niche. Fresh flowers shall be removed periodically by NEA’s management.
   
7. No food or other perishable items shall be placed in the niche rooms.
   
8. No person shall burn any joss paper, joss stick, candle or large paper offerings within the columbarium complex except in the metal receptacles/concrete burners provided at designated areas.
   
9. NEA may also if it deems necessary for the maintaining the tidiness and orderliness of the Columbarium Complex, remove any hazardous, unsightly or otherwise inappropriate items deposited by any person on any part of the Columbarium complex.
   

* - immediate next-of-kin : parents, spouse or children

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION OF COFFIN (IMPORT) PERMIT

Please read these instructions carefully before you proceed with the online application for coffin (import) permit.

1. GENERAL

1. Scanned copies of the documents stated in section 2 below are required for the application for a coffin (import) permit. Please have them ready before making an application.
   
2. The application for a coffin (import) permit is subject to approval from the Port Health Office. Lodgement of an application for a coffin (import) permit does not indicate that the application is approved.
   
3. Upon payment, a transaction number will be issued to you. You will need to note down this transaction number as it is required for you to check on the status of your application, and to print out the coffin (import) permit online.
   

2. REQUIREMENTS

A. SINGAPORE CITIZEN/ PERMANENT RESIDENTS

For Cremation or Burial

1. A Coffin (Import) Permit will be granted on production of the following documents issued by the country where subject died:

   (i) Death certificate;
   (ii) Embalming certificate where applicable;
   (iii) Sealing (of the coffin) certificate;
   (iv) Export Permit; and
   (v) Air Waybill (Air Consignment Note) if by air.

   If document is not in the English language, an accurate translation in English is also to be provided.
   

2. A Permit to Cremate or to Bury will also be issued if the deceased is to be cremated or buried in Singapore. The applicant/next-of-kin will have to collect the Permit to Cremate/Bury from the Port Health Office (4545 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore 159466). If the applicant is a funeral director, the Permit to Cremate/Bury will only be granted if the next-of-kin gives a letter of authorization to the funeral director.
   

Note: Prior written approval have to be obtained from the National Environment Agency (NEA) for the import of a body of an HIV-infected Singapore Citizen

B. FOREIGN NATIONAL

For Cremation

1. Import of Foreigners for cremation is allowed. The Coffin (Import) Permit will be granted on production of the following documents issued by the country where subject died:

   (i) Death certificate;
   (ii) Embalming certificate where applicable;
   (iii) Sealing (of the coffin) certificate;
   (iv) Export Permit; and
   (v) Air Waybill (Air Consignment Note) if by air.

   If document is not in the English language, an accurate translation in English is also to be provided.
   

2. A Permit to Cremate will also be issued if the deceased is to be cremated in Singapore. The applicant/next-of-kin will have to collect the Permit to Cremate from the Port Health Office (4545 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore 159466). If the applicant is a funeral director, the Permit to Cremate will only be granted if the next-of-kin gives a letter of authorization to the funeral director.
   

3. Foreigners cremated in Singapore are not entitled to purchase niches in government - operated columbaria.
   

For Burial

1. Import of Foreigners for burial is allowed only if the immediate next-of-kin is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. NEA does not approve the import of foreigners to Singapore for burial due to the limited size of its burial grounds.
   
2. The Coffin (Import) Permit will be granted on production of the following documents issued by the country where subject died:

   (i) Death certificate;
   (ii) Embalming certificate where applicable;
   (iii) Sealing (of the coffin) certificate;
   (iv) Export Permit; and
   (v) Air Waybill (Air Consignment Note) if by air.
   

3. A Permit to Bury will also be issued if the deceased is to be buried in Singapore. The applicant/next-of-kin will have to collect the Permit to Bury from the Port Health Office (4545 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore 159466). If the applicant is a funeral director, the Permit to Bury will only be granted if the next-of-kin gives a letter of authorization to the funeral director

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION OF COFFIN (EXPORT) PERMIT

Please read these instructions carefully before you proceed with the online application for coffin (export) permit.

1. GENERAL

1. Scanned copies of the documents stated in section 2 below are required for the application for a coffin (export) permit. Please have them ready before making an application.
   
2. The application for a coffin (export) permit is subject to approval from the Port Health Office. Lodgement of an application for a coffin (export) permit does not indicate that the application is approved.
   
3. Upon payment, a transaction number will be issued to you. You will need to note down this transaction number as it is required for you to check on the status of your application, and to print out the coffin (export) permit online.
   

2. REQUIREMENTS

1. The Coffin (Export) Permit will be granted on production of the following documents:
   (i) Death certificate;
   (ii) Embalming certificate where applicable;
   (iii) Sealing (of the coffin) certificate;
   
   
2. For export of still-birth (above 28 gestation weeks), the Certificate of Still-birth should indicate the name of the deceased as Still-born/Child of <name of parent>.
   

3. For export of foetus (below 28 gestation weeks), no permit is required.
   

4. For export of exhumed remains, the following documents are required:
   (i) Written permission to exhume a corpse;
   (ii) Endorsement by NEA stating that exhumation had been carried out satisfactorily;
   (iii) Certification by the funeral director that the coffin has been hermetically sealed.

Please read these instructions carefully before you proceed with the online application for coffin (transship) permit.

1. GENERAL

1. Scanned copies of the documents stated in section 2 below are required for the application for a coffin (transshipment) permit. Please have them ready before making an application.
   
2. The application for a coffin (transshipment) permit is subject to approval from the Port Health Office. Lodgement of an application for a coffin (transshipment) permit does not indicate that the application is approved.
   
3. Upon payment, a transaction number will be issued to you. You will need to note down this transaction number as it is required for you to check on the status of your application, and to print out the coffin (transshipment) permit online.
   

2. REQUIREMENTS

1. A Transshipment Permit will be granted on production of the following documents:

   (i) Death certificate;
   (ii) Embalming certificate where applicable;
   (iii) Sealing (of the coffin) certificate;
   (iv) Export Permit; and
   (v) Air Waybill (Air Consignment Note) if by air.
   

2. No permit is required if coffin remains on board the same aircraft during transit.