When organising a funeral, you’ll chance upon burial and cremation services while doing research. However, you might not be sure which is the better option for your loved one.
As there are several things to factor in – from religious beliefs to cost – it helps to have a clear understanding of both cremation and burial in Singapore.
Read on to take a look at the key differences and considerations to take note of, so you can make an informed decision.
1. Main Differences Between A Cremation And Burial Service
Cremation and burial are two different methods of laying the body to rest after the entire funeral process.
The key difference between the two is that the body gets incinerated during cremation, with the remains being ashes that get stored in a columbarium or scattered in the sea or land. Burial, on the other hand, keeps the body intact and buried in a grave. Having said that, there is also an option to cremate the body and bury the remains.
For both options, you’ll be required to pay for a casket, embalming, transportation of the body and the funeral wake. However, in the event of cremation, you’ll have to factor in urn and columbarium costs while burial has an additional cost for opening and closing the grave.
2. Key Considerations To Take Note Of For Both Cremation And Burial
82% of all deaths in Singapore are cremated, with 73% of them at the government-owned Mandai Crematorium and 9% at privately-owned crematoria such as the Tse Toh Aum Temple and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
It is cheaper to hold a cremation at Mandai Crematorium, with costs amounting to $50 for a child and $100 for an adult for cremation only. In the event you’d like to add on a niche, it is $500 for a standard niche and $900 for a family niche.
As for private crematoria, costs for only cremation can reach up to $400 and if you opt to add on urn storage, it can go up to $500. Depending on the niche you select and your choice of urns, you might incur additional charges.
In Singapore, burials are limited to only 15 years. After which, the remains get exhumed and cremated, with the exception of those that have compulsory religious reasons prohibiting it. In cases like this, the remains are exhumed and then reburied in smaller plots.
The only cemetery that allows burials is the Choa Chu Kang Cemetary, with the cost at $315 for Muslim, Jewish, Parsi and Bahai cemetery plots.
In the event you’re of another faith not listed above, it would cost $940 for all other cemetery plots.
Besides storing the ashes in a columbarium or land burial, scattering the ashes in the sea or on land are other options you can consider.
For a sea burial, expect to pay anywhere around $100 without any ritual to over $1000 for a more detailed ceremony. You’ll be required to rent a boat and head to a designated area which is open from 7am to 7pm for sea burial. To get more details, you can contact MPA’s Port Marine Safety Control Centre at 6325 2488.
If you’re looking at a land scattering of ashes, you can do so at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery’s Garden of Peace at $320. All you have to do is make an online booking or if you’d rather do so in person, you can head to the booking offices at the Chua Chu Kang Cemetery office or Mandai Crematorium office.
3. Understand The Last Wishes Of Your Loved One
The last wishes of your loved one would heavily shape your decision. Whether it’s religious beliefs or individual preferences, your loved one might have leaned more towards one option – be it having his or her ashes scattered in the sea or buried in a grave.
Once you have a clear idea about your loved one’s personal beliefs, it would be easier to make a decision.
4. Plan For Either A Cremation Or Burial With A Funeral Director
Whichever option you eventually go for, make the process more seamless by working with a funeral director.
From ensuring that the entire funeral runs smoothly to making all the necessary arrangements required, our team of professional funeral directors have what it takes to meet your specific needs.
We’re Here To Support You Through Every Step Of The Funeral Process
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.
