As Singapore developed after independence, most of the cemeteries in Singapore have been cleared of graves and are being rebuilt in recent years. Most of these cemeteries are closed because they were filled or relocated. The cemeteries are being demolished because of a lack of land and limited resources of Singapore. Due to the extreme need for land in Singapore, cemetery land is often preferred for urban development and public housing. The provision of public services, public housing, and urban development were an alternative to the need for cemeteries.
Therefore, most of the old cemeteries or tombs in Singapore were cleared for reconstruction in the second half of the 20th century. Only recordings or traces of some of them remain. In 1985, a total of 21 cemeteries were cleared and the Housing Development Council removed about 120,000 graves. In this article, you will have a list of useful information about the rest of the cemeteries in Singapore. This list includes important cemetery information that will help you in many ways.
- Kubur Kassim Cemetery Singapore
- Bukit Brown Cemetery Singapore
- Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Singapore
- Yin Foh Kuan Cemetery Singapore
Kubur Kassim Cemetery:
Singapore’s Kubur Kassim Cemetery was first opened for the public in 1920. This land was initially left to the Muslim community by Ahna Muhammad Qasim bin Ali Muhammad. It is in a vast area and is close to Malaysian Kampongs on the coast. Most of the former Kampongs residents are buried here. The yellow and green doors of Kubur Kassim Cemetery combine classical features in the Indo-Saracenic style, a popular construction project in early 20th-century Malaysia. The cemetery, which also has a prayer room, serves as a final resting place for Muslims living in Siglap. There are graves of some of the leading leaders, including former Singapore Commissioner Dr. Hafeezuddin Sirajuddin Munshi, who was the first to open a Muslim clinic in Singapore.
Bukit Brown Cemetery:
Singapore’s Bukit Brown Cemetery is part of Singapore’s cultural and social heritage. It is a fertile ground in the center of a dense urban environment. At the time, the place was a cemetery for Chinese immigrants from various countries, especially in the mid-nineteenth century. Therefore, it reflects Singapore’s connections to different times and countries in history. This cemetery shows strong ties between South China and Southeast Asia due to their design combination of different cultures. Defenders of the 1911 Chinese Revolution, whose roots are deep, were also buried in the cemetery. The cemetery also served as a cemetery for World War II victims, which is why Bukit Brown Cemetery serves as a reminder of the past. Many people have come to express their condolences to their loved ones and to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the cemetery. This cemetery is well known for its lush, calm, and peaceful environment and there are no signs of any wild animals which make this cemetery a safer place.
Choa Chu Kang Cemetery:
It is the largest cemetery in Singapore. Located west of Singapore, near Tengah Army Air Base and at the intersection of Old Chou Kang Road, Jalan Bahar, and Lim Chu Kang Road. The cemetery includes the graves of Muslims, Chinese, Christians, and many other groups. The cemetery rents a grave that begins on the day of the burial and will last for fifteen years. Within its foundations, there are several Columbariums, including the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium, a memorial garden, a memorial park, and a Buddhist facility.
Yin Foh Kuan Cemetery:
This is one of the well-known aspects of Singapore’s heritage because the last generation of the Hakka community was buried and honored here. It is part of the land between Bona Vista Station and Commonwealth Station and is in Ying Fu Kuan, an association of the Hakka Clan. It was founded in 1822 by Liu Ronde because he wanted to unite the Haka tribe from five different provinces of China. In 1887, to meet the growing demand of various other tribes, the Haka tribe included more than 100 hectares of land as a burial ground.
The Yin Foh Kuan Memorial Hall was built nearby and is known as the Twin Dragon Hall. The graves of this cemetery are lined up in the same direction and with the same patterns. Chinese tombstones usually have colorful patterns and beautiful prints. There is no concern for the safety of the cemetery, as this cemetery is known for its peace and tranquility.
Documents needed on the Day of Burial:
If you want to bury someone in the cemetery, the Singapore authorities will require some documents. These documents are necessary for verification purposes and to keep a record of those buried in the cemetery. This record is also used for the purpose of renting graves. Required documents usually include:
- Original death certificate of the deceased.
- Permission by the Authority to bury.
- NRIC or passport of the applicant or his / her family.
Almost all these cemeteries located in Singapore offer all the appropriate services. These services include traditional burial, building graves, and construction of tombs. Singapore’s services are working hard to ensure peace, care, and guidance in preparing one’s memory for the honor. There are groups that will help you organize funeral ceremonies and will arrange you all the necessary things in just a little amount.
The Bottom Line:
These are the only cemeteries still open in Singapore and people from almost every community use these cemeteries to bury their loved ones at their final resting place. People from different communities are demanding cemeteries in different areas because it is one of their essential needs. The government of Singapore knows very well the needs and is working to arrange new places that could be used as cemeteries, but growing demand for housing and commercial land is making the move even more difficult. According to a report, the cemeteries will be filled after a few years and there will be no place for Singaporeans to bury them.