Only vehicles with valid e-appointments are allowed to enter and park within the columbaria. E-appointment is not required for visitors taking public transport or private hire vehicles.

Singapore, 23 February 2023 – Large crowds are expected at government-managed cemetery and columbaria, namely Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, Choa Chu Kang Columbarium, Mandai Columbarium, and Yishun Columbarium, during the Qing Ming festival (5 April 2023), Good Friday (7 April 2023) and the weekends from 18 March to 16 April 2023. Where possible, members of public are encouraged to avoid visiting on these days.

2          The National Environment Agency (NEA) will put in place crowd control measures at the columbaria during this period and extend the opening hours to 24 hours daily. Please refer to ANNEX A for key information to note during visits.

3          The Garden of Peace (Inland Ash Scattering Facility) will be closed to visitors on the weekends during this period (18 March to 16 April 2023), Qing Ming festival (5 April 2023) and Good Friday (7 April 2023), to give privacy to those who have applied for scattering of ashes. Only applicants with an approved booking for inland ash scattering will be allowed into the Garden of Peace.

E-Appointment booking for those parking at Choa Chu Kang and Mandai Columbaria during the Qing Ming visiting period

4          Visitors are required to book an e-appointment in order to park their vehicles on specific dates and time periods at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium during the Qing Ming visiting period (see Table 1 below).   

Table 1: For visitors driving to Government-managed columbaria

5          E-appointment slots (in 2-hour intervals) will be available for booking from Monday 6 March 2023 at 10.00am. Visitors who wish to park their vehicles at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium are advised to book an appointment early at go.gov.sg/qm2023vehicleappt.

6          E-appointment booking is not required for visitors taking public transport or making visits outside the dates and time periods indicated in paragraph 4.

7          All visitors are to note that:

• Traffic wardens will be deployed to regulate traffic flow and vehicle access into the columbaria.
• During the specified periods (stated in paragraph 4), only vehicles with valid e-appointments will be allowed to enter and park at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium.
• Those parking at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium must show proof of the successful e-appointment booking (i.e. confirmation email or SMS).
• Drivers intending to drop off passengers are not required to book an e-appointment. They may use the designated drop-off/pick-up points

i)  near the pedestrian gate along Mandai Avenue (for Mandai Columbarium)
ii) at Carpark E outside Choa Chu Kang Columbarium.

• Vehicles exceeding 2,500kg unladen weight will not be allowed into Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex during peak visiting days.
• Red packets should not be given to staff working at and within government columbaria and cemetery.
• No eating is allowed in the columbaria.
• Pets should not be brought into the columbaria.

Real-time information on traffic conditions at NEA website

8          Real-time information on traffic conditions at Choa Chu Kang and Mandai Columbaria are available on NEA’s website. Drivers are encouraged to check the latest traffic conditions before visiting.

Shuttle bus and designated drop-off/pick-up points for taxis and private hire vehicles

9          Visitors are encouraged to take the shuttle buses provided during peak visiting days or utilise public transport services (listed in ANNEX B).

10        Drivers who wish to use the shuttle bus service to Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are encouraged to park along the left of paths at the Christian Cemetery (without causing obstruction to other users), Carpark A along Jalan Bahar, and Carpark B along Old Choa Chu Kang Road (please refer to MAP 1). Similarly, drivers who would like to use the shuttle bus service to Mandai Columbarium are encouraged to park their vehicles near Khatib MRT station, before proceeding to the pick-up point at Khatib MRT station Exit A (please refer to MAP 2).

Use burners and containers

11        All visitors are reminded to practise the following to minimise fly ash and to keep the environment clean:

• Use burners and containers for burning of joss paper at the cemetery and columbaria
• Burn joss paper in small quantities
• Avoid creating fire hazards, such as leaving lit candles and matches unattende
• Not leave behind any food offerings or litter, to prevent mosquito breeding and rat infestation.

Third-party grave maintenance services

12        NEA provides regular grass-cutting maintenance for common areas of Choa Chu Kang Cemetery. This does not include grass maintenance at individual graves and their monuments. 

13        Visitors may be approached by persons at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery for payment of grave maintenance service fees. These services are not regulated or endorsed by NEA. Visitors 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.

14        NEA has reminded third-party grave maintenance service providers not to engage in any illegal activities, such as touting, extortion, harassment, and cheating. Visitors may lodge a police report should they encounter any such incident. Alternatively, they can contact NEA’s hotline at 6225 5632.

Exercising care

15        Due to high traffic expected at NEA facilities, pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution at all times, and to look after their personal safety and that of other road users when crossing roads. Drivers are also advised to stay alert and pay attention to their surroundings when driving.

16        Office opening hours and useful contact numbers are available in ANNEX C.

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. 

ANNEX A

ANNEX B

Public Transport Services

Bus services by public transport operators are listed below:

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

• 18 & 19 March 2023         (Saturday & Sunday
• 1 & 2 April 2023                (Saturday & Sunday
• 5 April 2023                       (Qing Ming Day
• 7 April 2023                       (Good Friday)
• 8 & 9 April 2023                (Saturday & Sunday)
• 15 & 16 April 2023            (Saturday & Sunday)

Please refer to SBS Transit website for latest update on their bus services and operation hours.

Shuttle Bus Services

ANNEX C

Useful Contact Numbers & Office Opening Hours

MAP 1

Location Map of Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

MAP 2

Location Map of Mandai Crematorium/Columbarium