Singapore, 21 March 2019 – Religious activities such as burning of incense papers are expected to increase during the Qing Ming festival. The National Environment Agency (NEA) would like to remind members of the public who observe such practices to do so in a considerate manner and keep the environment clean. For those visiting the Choa Chu Kang cemetery and government columbaria, there will be special traffic arrangements in place to help ease expected congestion. We would also like to remind the next-of-kin to exercise discretion when engaging grave maintenance services offered by individuals or commercial entities.

Using Burners and Containers to Keep the Environment Clean and Reduce Fire Risk

2          Members of the public are advised to use burners and containers when burning joss paper to help keep the environment clean, minimise fly ash, and reduce fire hazards, and to burn joss paper in small quantities to minimise smoke. For residents in housing estates, Town Councils will be providing bins and containers for their use. Burners have also been made available at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang, during this period. With the ongoing warm and dry weather, members of the public should exercise greater caution when burning joss papers so as to reduce fire risk. They should also avoid throwing lighted materials such as candles and matches onto grass patches and fields.   

3          To keep the public areas clean, members of the public are reminded not to leave any food offerings and litter behind, as that may potentially result in mosquito breeding or rat infestation.

Engaging Third-party Grave Maintenance Services at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery

4          NEA’s maintenance works at the cemetery involve regular grass-cutting in the common areas of Choa Chu Kang Cemetery. It does not cover the maintenance of carpet grass and flowering plants on the graves, or maintenance of the monuments and tombstones.

5          Members of the public may be approached by freelance gardeners or tombstone contractors offering gardening or tombstone maintenance services at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery for a fee. These services are not regulated by NEA. Next-of-kin who have not made prior private arrangements for such services are advised not to pay anyone who claims to have maintained the graves of their loved ones.

6          NEA reminds these freelance gardeners and contractors not to engage in any illegal activities or they may face penalties from the relevant authorities. Members of the public who encounter freelance gardeners and contractors engaging in any illegal activity such as touting, extortion, harassment and cheating especially during the Qing Ming period may choose to lodge a police report at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Post. Alternatively, they can contact the Cemetery Office at 6793 7428 during office hours or call NEA’s hotline at 6225 5632.

Traffic Conditions at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Government Columbaria During Qing Ming Festival

7          As with previous years, large crowds are expected at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang on the Qing Ming festival date (Friday, 5 April 2019); the Good Friday public holiday (Friday, 19 April 2019); and the Sundays within the festival period (24 March 2019, 31 March 2019, 7 April 2019 and 14 April 2019). Members of the public who wish to avoid the crowds and traffic congestion should avoid these peak periods, if possible.

8          To minimise traffic congestion, visitors to these facilities on the above dates are advised to take public transport. Please see ANNEX A for a list of public transport services. Drivers are advised to follow the directional signs and instructions given by the Traffic Police and traffic wardens. NEA officers will also be stationed on-site from 6.00am to 6.00pm in shifts to provide assistance and directions. Vehicles exceeding 2,500kg unladen weight are not allowed into the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex during the peak periods. Drivers are advised to park in a considerate manner to aid traffic flow. Drivers can use the car park lots available at Car Park A along Jalan Bahar and Car Park B, C and D along Old Choa Chu Kang Road. Temporary car park lots at Path 9 Chinese Cemetery have been made available at the cemetery during the Qing Ming period too. Alternatively, drivers can park along the left hand side of the cemetery paths. A map of the Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery site can be found in MAP 1.

9          With the existing on-going exhumation works, visitors are advised to exercise caution when navigating or walking within cemetery compound.

Closure of Car Parks near Mandai Columbarium Blocks B and C

10          Due to ongoing construction works for the development of a new crematorium complex, there will be temporary closure of some roads and open-air car parks near Mandai Columbarium Blocks B and C. A map of the Mandai Crematorium/Columbarium site can be found in MAP 2. To complement existing public bus services, a shuttle bus service will be provided at a fee of $1.40 per trip between Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and the rear entrance of Mandai Columbarium (bus stop no. 48149 along Mandai Avenue) at 30-min intervals from 0700 hours to 1700 hours on the following dates:

• 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 March 2019
• 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 April 2019

11        As high traffic congestion will be expected with limited carparks at the Mandai Columbarium complex, drivers to Mandai Columbarium are encouraged to park their vehicles near Khatib MRT station and use the shuttle bus service. Visitors attending the cremation services only will be directed to park in the basement within the crematorium complex.  

12        Real time traffic camera images of the traffic conditions outside Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium complex from 23 March 2019 to 21 April 2019 will available on the NEA website at www.nea.gov.sg.

13        Office opening hours and useful contact numbers are available in ANNEX B.

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For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

MAP 1

Location Map of Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

MAP 2

Location Map of Mandai Crematorium/ Columbarium

ANNEX A

How to Get There – Public Transport Services

Bus services by the public transport operators are listed below.

*Available during Qing Ming period on the dates indicated below:

·         23 & 24 March 2019 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         30 & 31 March 2019 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         5 April 2019 (Friday- Qing Ming Actual Day)

·         6 & 7 April 2019 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         13 & 14 April 2019 (Saturday & Sunday)

ANNEX B

Useful Contact Numbers & Office Opening Hours