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ICF delegation visits Singapore
Before traveling to the ACCA / ICF Conference in Sydney, an ICF delegation headed by the Secretary-General visited Singapore. The delegation was received at the Mandai Crematorium, that is operated by the National Environment Agency of the Singapore Government.
Mandai Crematorium started service in June 2004 and operates 10 cremators. It is a two storey facility with basement car park, 4 service halls and an ash collection center. The building was awarded a prize for universal design in 2008. In planning the crematorium several considerations were identified. The building should:
- Provide a dignified and pleasant environment
- Ease the feeling of somberness and grief
- Provide clear orientation and direction
Applications for cremation can be made, by the public or a funeral director, over the internet with an online application that was designed specifically for the crematorium. Annually there are approximately 17.000 deaths in Singapore, of which 13.500 deceased are cremated. Singapore is a multi cultural, multi racial society, with a population close to 5 million. The Crematorium is usually operational between 09:00 AM and 06:00 PM, reaching an average of 28 ceremonies daily. After the ceremony the family can watch the insertion of the coffin into cremator from a viewing room.
Ashes are in general taken home or placed in a columbarium. The cremation rate for adults is 100 Singapore Dollars.
Singapore has a total of 5 crematoria, of which 3 are owned by the government. There are 61 columbaria in the country.
The Secretary-General Henry Keizer: “It is impressive to see how well the logistics work. Bereaved families are kept separate in a very efficient way. The grounds are maintained to the highest standard and the building itself is light and inviting. I am also happy to say that the Singapore Government has decided to become a member of the ICF. I am sure that they will bring an interesting contribution to the work of the ICF. There is great dedication and professionalism with the staff. They want to contribute to the work of the ICF and learn from international developments at the same time”.
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