The Inland Ash Scattering Garden at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex – designed as a peaceful, serene garden setting to provide a dignified and respectful environment for ash  scattering – will be operational from 17 May 2021

Singapore, 11 May 2021 –The National Environment Agency’s Inland Ash Scattering Garden at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex – Garden of Peace @ CCK – will be operational from 17 May 2021, providing Singaporeans with an additional option for the management of cremated human remains in Singapore. This was developed following the conclusion of a series of engagements conducted in February 2021 with religious groups, the funerary industry, and other stakeholder groups.

2          The ash scattering garden at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex adopts an open garden concept, with designated lanes for walkways and ash scattering. It is a secular facility open to all religious faiths, and has the following features:

• Boundary shrubs and vegetation have been planted to clearly demarcate the garden boundary and provide sufficient privacy
• Landscaping and greenery have been used to create a peaceful, serene garden setting, to provide a dignified and respectful environment for ash scattering
• Ash scattering lanes are separated and have been designed intentionally to accord families with privacy
• Ash scattering lanes have been designed to allow ashes to naturally percolate into the soil underneath
• User-friendly features, such as wheelchair access and seating areas, are provided for families to gather, view, and participate in the ash scattering process
• To maintain a clean and serene environment and the secular nature of the garden,religious ceremonies or rites, such as the burning of joss sticks, food offerings, playing of instruments or music, will not be permitted within the garden
• Visitors or next-of-kin can utilise the prayer facility near the North Gate at the Garden of Peace, to conduct any simple rites

3          A fee of $320 (including GST) will be introduced for the scattering of ashes. Interested applicants who wish to apply for inland ash scattering may do so via NEA’s online ePortal, at www.eportal.nea.gov.sg.

4          Mr Chew Ming Fai, NEA Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director-General Public Health said, “We hope that Singaporeans will welcome the provision of inland ash scattering services as an additional option for the management of cremated human remains.”

5          He added, “NEA had conducted extensive consultations and engagements with the religious groups, funerary industry, interest groups and various stakeholder groups, on various aspects of the Inland Ash Scattering Garden. There was a consensus that the experience at the facility should be respectful and dignified, and that the facility should be secular and open to all religious faiths. There was an emphasis that the facility should adopt a serene garden feel, where family and friends would be accorded privacy during the act of ash scattering. Users are also be able to book the service through an online booking system, which provides for added convenience and efficiency.”

6          NEA will also introduce inland ash scattering services at the new Mandai Crematorium Complex. The Garden of Serenity at the Complex will be completed in tandem with the new crematorium development, and is expected to be operational in 2022. More details will be announced when ready.

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ANNEX A

Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex

Prayer Facility (Source: NEA)

North Gate (Source: NEA)

Ash scattering lane (Source: NEA)

Bird’s-eye view of ash scattering lane (Source:NEA)

Overview of Garden of Peace (Source:NEA)

Pouring of ashes at ash scattering lane (Source: NEA)

Flower rack located at ash scattering lane (Source: NEA)

ANNEX B

Publicity Materials for Garden of Peace

Instructional Video:

ANNEX C

Stakeholder Engagement for Inland Ash Scattering

NEA announced in June 2018 that it will introduce inland ash scattering (IAS) services at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex and the new Mandai Crematorium Complex, as an additional option for the management of cremated human remains in Singapore. This was developed following the conclusion of a series of consultations with the religious groups, funerary industry, and various stakeholder groups. The introduction of IAS services was done in response to interest expressed by some members of the public for such practices to be made available here, similar to in other countries or regions such as Korea, Taiwan, China, the United States and Australia. 

2          This series of consultations took place from August to December 2017, and involved the various religious groups, funerary industry, and the general public. The groups were consulted on various aspects of inland ash scattering services, such as cultural and religious needs, design criteria, user experience, operational procedures, and booking arrangements.

3          During the consultations, there was feedback that the user experience at the facility should be respectful and dignified, and that the facility should be secular and open to all religious faiths. There was an emphasis that the facility should adopt a garden feel, and that users be accorded privacy during the act of ash scattering. The user should be able to book the service through an online booking system. The fees for ash scattering should also be kept affordable.

4          In February 2021, NEA conducted guided tours at the Garden of Peace @ CCK, to brief representatives from religious organisations, crematoria operators, Singapore Hospice Council, Green Burial Group, and members of the Association of Funeral Directors Singapore, on design considerations and operational procedures, after the facility was completed. Overall, the stakeholders welcomed the provision of inland ash scattering services at government-managed facilities as an additional option for the management of cremated human remains, and the overall impression of and feedback on the Garden of Peace @ CCK were positive.