Burial in Singapore: Cost, Exhumation & Why Families Still Choose Burial

For assistance or guidance, call +65 9844 8444 — Singapore Funeral Committee (SFC)

Introduction

Although Singapore is a land-scarce country where cremation has become the norm, some families still prefer burial in Singapore due to tradition, religion, or personal beliefs. Burials are conducted in designated cemeteries under the management of the National Environment Agency (NEA), and they carry deep emotional and cultural significance for many.

Why Some Families Still Choose Burial

Despite limited land and higher costs, burial continues to be chosen by families who believe in allowing the body to rest in the earth naturally. For Christians, it symbolizes resurrection and eternal rest. For Muslims, burial is an essential religious requirement. Some older generations also view burial as a more traditional and respectful way to honour the deceased.

Religious Reasons: Islam requires burial; some Christian and Hindu families also prefer it as part of faith tradition.
Cultural Significance: Burial represents returning the body to the earth, a natural completion of life’s cycle.
Family Heritage: Some wish to be buried alongside relatives in the same cemetery, maintaining a sense of connection and lineage.

Where Burials Take Place in Singapore

Currently, all burials in Singapore take place at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex (CCKCC) — the only active burial ground managed by NEA. It includes separate sections for different faiths such as Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Chinese burials. Older cemeteries such as Bidadari and Bukit Brown have since been closed or exhumed.

Burial in Singapore at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex managed by NEA — Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex — Singapore’s only active burial site.

How Much Does a Burial Cost in Singapore?

The cost of a burial in Singapore varies based on plot type and funeral services, but NEA charges a standard burial fee for 15 years of interment:

Burial Plot (15 years): Around S$940 per adult grave (NEA-managed cemetery).
Private funeral service & casket: Ranges between S$4,000 to S$8,000 depending on the package.
Total Estimated Cost: Typically between S$5,000 to S$10,000 for a complete burial funeral service.

SFC provides transparent pricing and full coordination — from body transport to burial plot booking and religious rites. For a detailed quotation, families can call +65 9844 8444 anytime.

Burial Period and Exhumation Rules

Due to limited space, Singapore imposes a 15-year burial period. After that, the remains must be exhumed. Families can choose to:

Reinter the remains in a smaller crypt at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium, or
Cremate the remains and place the ashes in a niche at a columbarium or scatter them at sea.

The NEA Exhumation Programme manages the process with strict documentation, ensuring dignity and respect for every exhumed grave.

How Many Burial Plots Are Left in Singapore?

As of recent years, NEA reports that burial space in Singapore is extremely limited. Choa Chu Kang Cemetery continues to serve the population but operates on a managed rotational basis. With Singapore’s land constraints, new burial grounds are unlikely — cremation remains the dominant option for most families.

Alternatives to Burial

Many families now choose cremation followed by:

Sea burial at Tanah Merah
Cremation at Mandai North Crematorium
Keeping ashes in a columbarium niche or at home memorial altar

Burial vs Cremation: What Families Should Consider

Choosing between burial and cremation is personal. Burial allows families to visit a physical gravesite, while cremation offers flexibility and lower long-term cost. Religious beliefs, budget, and family traditions all play a part in the decision.

Contact Singapore Funeral Committee

To learn more about burial in Singapore or to arrange a complete funeral package with burial or cremation options, contact Singapore Funeral Committee (SFC) at +65 9844 8444. We provide professional, respectful service 24 hours a day.

Burial in Singapore | Cost, Exhumation & Why Families Still Choose Burial