Columbaria in Singapore: government and private niches explained

After a cremation, many families in Singapore place the ashes in a niche: a small compartment in a columbarium, closed with a plaque bearing the person’s name. Families can then visit, and many do so at Qing Ming.

There are two broad kinds of columbaria here. The government runs three through the National Environment Agency (NEA). Many more are run privately. This guide explains how each works so you can decide what suits your family.

Government columbaria

NEA manages three columbaria. Niches can be booked at two of them.

Choa Chu Kang Columbarium

• Address: 51 Chinese Cemetery Path 4, Singapore 698932, inside the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery complex
• Opening hours: 8am to 5.30pm daily
• Phone: 6225 5632 (NEA hotline)
• About 147,000 niches in 18 four-storey blocks named after flowers, laid out like a park, with lifts and facilities for elderly and disabled visitors

Mandai Columbarium

• Address: 300 Mandai Road, Singapore 779393, in the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex
• Opening hours: 8am to 5.30pm daily
• Phone: 6554 5655
• About 133,000 niches in eight three-storey blocks, surrounded by greenery near Seletar Reservoir. See our Mandai Columbarium guide.

Yishun Columbarium

• Address: next to 569 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768691, about a 10-minute walk from Yishun MRT
• Opening hours: 8am to 5.30pm daily
• About 16,000 niches in a building styled like a Chinese temple. It is open to visitors, but NEA lists only Choa Chu Kang and Mandai as currently taking new bookings.

How to apply for a government niche

You apply after the death, once the cremation has been arranged. A funeral director can help, but families can apply themselves.

1. Choose the columbarium and niche type. A standard niche holds about two urns. A family niche holds about four, which suits couples who wish to be together.
2. Apply through the NEA ePortal or in person at the Choa Chu Kang or Mandai counters. Counter hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday 8.30am to 12.30pm, closed 1pm to 2pm. There are no bookings on Sunday.
3. Bring the documents: the deceased’s details (such as the digital death certificate), the cremation application or permit, the applicant’s NRIC or passport, and a letter of authorisation if you are not next-of-kin.
4. Pay by NETS, cash card or credit card. The booking is confirmed once paid.
5. Place the ashes within six months of the first application, or the offer lapses.

Government niche fees

At the time of writing, the fees are the same at all government columbaria:

• Standard niche: $500, one-time
• Family niche: $900, one-time
• Selection fee to choose a location: $250

Niches are allocated in sequence unless you pay to choose. The fee covers the niche only, not the urn, plaque or installation, and plaque work must be done by an NEA-registered contractor.

Rules to know

• No advance booking. You cannot reserve a government niche while someone is still alive.
• Eligibility. Citizens and permanent residents, and foreigners with a parent, spouse or child who is a citizen or permanent resident.
• One person per application. A niche is for the person named in the application. Adding or removing urns needs NEA’s written approval.
• No refund if the ashes are later removed.
• Choose one or the other. Once a niche is taken up, the same person’s ashes can only be scattered at an NEA garden after the niche is surrendered.
• Redevelopment. NEA can reclaim a niche if a columbarium is affected by redevelopment, with notice.

Private and temple columbaria

Private columbaria are run by organisations other than the government, and some are attached to temples or other places of worship. NEA notes there are many of them. Because each sets its own terms, the details vary, but these are the questions worth asking:

• Can you book ahead? Some families want to reserve niches side by side before they are needed, which government columbaria do not allow.
• What does the price include? Ask about the urn, plaque, installation, and any yearly or upkeep charges.
• How long is the niche held? Ask whether it is permanent or for a set term, and what happens if the site is redeveloped.
• Religious practice. If the columbarium is attached to a place of worship, ask whether you need to belong to that faith and what prayers or services are held.
• Access and visiting hours, especially around Qing Ming.

Get the answers in writing before paying.

Other options for ashes

A niche is not the only choice. Ashes can be scattered at sea at the designated site off Raffles Lighthouse, scattered at NEA’s Garden of Peace or Garden of Serenity, or kept at home.

Related guides

Read cremation or burial in Singapore, our Mandai Crematorium guide, or direct cremation in Singapore. A funeral director can arrange the cremation and help with the niche; you can find a funeral director in our directory.