Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex - 300 Mandai Rd

A peaceful resting place for my grandparents, father, uncle and auntie. As it is build and maintain by the government, we can trust that the place are clean and well manage.

The Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium is one of only three complex in Singapore and is the only one managed by the Government under the National Environment Agency (NEA). This complex is one of the final resting places for many Singaporeans because of the new technology and limited spaces to host cemeteries for the dead. With Mount Vernon Crematorium, the only government crematorium reaching its maximum capacity in the late 1970s, a need for a second crematorium arose. The Government chose a plot of land at Mandai to build Singapore's second crematorium. Completed in 1982, it consists of 4 big cremators and 4 small cremators, and 1200 niches. Shortly after its opening, it was designated to cremate exhumed remains from closed down cemeteries in Singapore. In 2000, the government decided that all cremation services are to be consolidated at Mandai. So, a new extension was built just south of the original complex. Completed in mid 2004, this complex comprises four service halls, four viewing halls, 12 cremators and one waiting hall, replacing the Mount Vernon Crematorium, which closed down on the same day the new complex opened. The columbarium was also expanded to include remains displaced from the closure of Mount Vernon Crematorium as well. Inland Ash Scattering (IAS) services will also be introduced at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex and Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex. IAS services will be introduced at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex in 2020 and Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex in 2021. To meet the growing demand of the island's population, the Government decided to expand the crematorium further. Slated to be completed in 3Q 2019, it will have six service halls, six viewing halls, three waiting halls and 18 cremators.

Peaceful and quiet Columbarium Complex. Limited carpark to avoid crowd come early in the morning.

Reached around 9a.m.+ Queue of vehicles is definitely shorter than expected as compared to start of Qing Ming on 5 April 2019. Not too bad, considering it's a public holiday. Was able to drive in all the way to the last few blocks. Along the way, saw quite a number of parallel parking cars At the last few blocks, there were still staff directing traffic. When left around 10a.m.+ the queue of vehicles extended beyond main gate already. Saw a number of portable toilets, probably some renovations are taking place.

Last Thursday, I went to Mandai columbarium where my father's ash was placed. It was 21 days since he passed away. Many Chinese would have some kind of activity on the 21st day. I organised a monk to go there and do some chanting. I arrived there in a taxi but from the main entrance to building, there queue of cars were slow. It took about 30 minutes at about 9.30am on a weekday. It was because it was within the Qing Ming (Tomb sweeping) but also cars parking by the side blocking the way. They should not have allowed cars to be parked on the side. There were supposed to be some restriction of 2 people per family. I don't know why so many people came on a weekday. They are building extension to the columbarium which means the traffic will get worst in future unless something change. Luckily, the monk made it there on time. We finished our prayers and left. We walked to the bus stop because calling a car or taxi means the driver is going be stuck in the traffic for more than half an hour. After after out of the main entrance, I turned back and could see the cars are still queueing to get in. Further out before I turned left to the bus stop, I could see the cars queued from the road. The bus I was taking could be seen but that would take more than 30 minutes to come. The same road at the opposite direction, there was an even long queue of cars and there were drivers trying to force to turn right There was times when some cars were exiting and created stuck traffic. It was ugly. There were vehicles with people going to funeral and they had to force their way and cut queue because they had appointment for cremation.

???My Beloved Dad Resting Place " I missed him dearly. ???

This is the peaceful resting place of my mum and grandma’s remains.

It a quiet place, greenery and spacious, just the construction site still ongoing wonders when can it finish.