Choosing The Right Columbarium In Singapore For Your Loved One

 

When planning a funeral after a loved one passes on, selecting a columbarium is part of the process if you decide to store the cremated ashes rather than scatter the ashes at sea.

Built with the purpose of being a sacred final resting place, columbaria are dedicated facilities with niches that house funerary urns.

Depending on your loved one’s individual preferences and religious beliefs, you might opt to store his or her ashes in a columbarium after cremation.

However, with so many options out there, it could feel like a challenge to select the right columbarium. Fortunately, the decision process can be more seamless when you take the following factors into consideration.

 

Selecting The Right Columbarium: 5 Things To Consider

1. The Funeral Service Bundle

Not all funeral service bundles include columbarium services, so it helps to check before committing.

At Singapore Casket, we have a selection of exquisite urns for selection and can also help relocate your loved one to the final resting place if required.

2. Public VS Private Columbarium

If you choose a public columbarium in Singapore, you’ll choose between government-managed columbaria including the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium. Although there’s also a Yishun Columbarium, it unfortunately isn’t available for booking anymore.

For those on a budget, opting for a public columbarium will be more wallet-friendly. Also, both government-managed columbaria in Choa Chu Kang and Mandai are vast, with beautiful landscapes.

However, niche slots are limited in these public columbaria.

On the other hand, you’ll be able to select the niche location you prefer if you opt for a private columbarium. With 61 private columbaria islandwide, there’s more space to accommodate based on individual preferences.

Besides that, you’ll have the option for more personalisation and to even plan ahead for your funeral needs.

Unfortunately, it can be quite pricey if you decide to go with a privately operated columbarium. Hence, it boils down to the option that is a better fit for the individual.

 

 

3. Price Range

As with most things in life, budget is an important factor to consider when it comes to making a decision.

For government-managed columbaria, prices are standardised. Expect to pay over $500 per person for a government operated columbarium and over $900 if it is family-style. Do note that these prices do not include the marble plaque.

For privately operated columbaria, the price will range anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000 across single, double and family suites. These prices also depend on the services you’ve engaged, the type of niche and level you choose as well as whether you decide to go for customised options such as those which include Feng Shui.

Fortunately, there are columbaria that give the option of paying instalments so that you don’t have to worry too much about forking out the entire sum right away.

 

4. Lease Period Of The Columbarium 

In general, the lease period of columbaria in Singapore will be 30 years, 40 years or 99 years.

There are two types of interment lease period – either based on the columbarium’s land lease period or the day of interment of urn.

Once a lease is up, the ashes could be scattered in the sea with a dignified multiracial religious ceremony and the niches will be renewed for newcomers.

 

5. Choosing An Appropriate Niche & Urn

If it is your first time going through the funeral process, you might require some guidance when it comes to customs and rituals.

While prices of niches could differ according to levels, it helps to understand the reason why and meaning of each level so as to make an informed decision.

In modern columbaria, you’ll typically notice eight or nine levels or niches.

The first two levels are known as “filial” levels as children and grandchildren have to kneel to worship.

The third and fourth levels are “wealth” levels as those who pray for their ancestors will be seated.

The most popular level is the fifth level, which is conveniently at eye level, making it the most convenient for all generations of a family without the need to look up, squat or kneel. Due to its popularity, it is also the most expensive level.

The sixth and seventh levels are “guard” levels, which represent ancestors looking out for family and future generations.

The highest levels – eight and nine – symbolise “respect”.

 

Meet Your Specific Needs With Our Full Suite Of Funeral Services

Our professional funeral directors have decades of experience and are committed to helping fulfil the last wishes of your loved one and delivering a funeral wake that is memorable, dignified and heartfelt.

We can handle every aspect of your loved one’s funeral arrangement – from embalming and makeup as well as memorial gemstone services to exhumation & remain relocation and post funeral services.

You can learn more about our full range of funeral services here or get in contact with us at 6293 4388, we are open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.