Planning funeral services for the passing of a loved one is never a simple affair. Family members want to ensure the remains of their dearly departed are in a respectable final resting place.
Part of this affair is choosing the right columbarium by which they can still honour their loved ones who have passed away.
A columbarum is important in Singapore for those who choose cremation over burial due to limited land space.
This article explores what a columbarium is, outlining its purpose and significance as a final resting place for cremated remains. If you and your family are planning to choose a columbarium niche, here are a few things to consider carefully.
Table of Contents
What Is A Columbarium?
A columbarium is a designated structure, either public or private, where urns holding cremated remains are stored. These facilities offer columbarium niches for ash management, providing a respectful and permanent home for the ashes after a person has passed away.
The concept originates from ancient practices, and today, it holds significant cultural and religious importance across various societies.
In Singapore, you can choose between a government-managed columbarium, like the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and the Mandai Columbarium or from approximately 60 private columbaria, such as the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery and the All Saints Memorial Chapel.
These options cater to diverse preferences for those planning post-cremation arrangements.
6 Considerations In Choosing The Right Columbarium Niches
When selecting a columbarium niche, it’s important to consider several key factors that align with personal, family and cultural needs.
This choice involves more than just selecting a spot for storing urns; it’s about finding a place that respects the deceased’s legacy while accommodating the preferences and beliefs of those left behind.
1. Public And Private Columbarium
In Singapore, columbaria are categorised into public and private types, each offering distinct options for ash management. Public Columbaria, managed by the government, includes places like the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Crematorium.
These are often more budget-friendly and provide vast, landscaped environments. However, niches in these government-managed columbaria are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, which can restrict choice.
Conversely, private columbaria offers greater flexibility in selecting a columbarium niche. Individuals can have a wider range of choices for niche locations and more opportunities for personalisation.
Private Columbaria caters to those who wish to plan extensively for their funeral needs and prefer a more bespoke approach to commemorating their loved ones.
Although opting for a private columbarium tends to be costlier, the benefits of personalised service and space might justify the expense for some families.
Thus, choosing between a public and private columbarium often depends on individual preferences, financial considerations and specific desires for how ashes are accommodated.
2. Burial Or Cremation
Choosing between burial and cremation is a significant decision that families must make after the passing of a loved one. This choice largely depends on personal beliefs, environmental concerns and space availability.
If cremation is chosen, family members will have to decide on how they would like to store the ashes. A common option would be storing the ashes and urn in a columbarium.
In choosing a Columbarium, families can visit the columbarium at any time, whether it be on the death anniversary of their loved one or when they’re simply missing them.
A columbarium provides a secure location where families can visit anytime, such as on anniversaries or moments of remembrance. The cremation process ends with the ashes being placed in a funeral urn and stored in these niches.
While some may keep the urn at home, the majority prefer the communal and maintained environment of a columbarium. This decision respects the deceased and aligns with practical and spiritual needs, making the columbarium a pivotal aspect of post-cremation arrangements in Singapore.
3. Design Of The Columbarium Niche
Since a columbarium will serve as a sacred final resting place, its design is a very valuable element. Family members tend to be particular about the location, as it must be as comfortable as possible.
In Singapore, the aesthetic appeal, materials used and architectural style of columbariums can vary significantly, catering to a range of personal tastes and cultural traditions. Many modern columbariums sport a fusion of modern and traditional or religious designs families can choose from.
For instance, they can select a columbarium which includes a small Buddha statue surrounded by matching adornments such as bamboo, a small waterfall installation, etc.
A columbarium in Singapore may also be designed with an auspicious Feng Shui layout, ensuring the deceased’s spirit transitions peacefully into the next life. Some columbaria may be more minimalist, without any religious artefacts or implements.
In choosing a columbarium, consider your family’s religious beliefs and traditions. Pick a design appropriate and befitting of your loved one’s cremated remains.
4. Lease Term
In Singapore, the lease period for columbarium niches is important when planning for the final resting place of cremated remains.
Typically, four lease periods are available: 30, 40, 99 years, or a permanent lease. The lease length will depend on two factors: the columbarium’s land lease period or the internment of the funerary urns.
This flexibility allows families to choose a term that aligns with their long-term remembrance plans and heritage considerations.
Once a lease expires, there is usually the option of inland ash scattering, where ashes can be dispersed in a dignified manner, often accompanied by a multiracial religious ceremony. This process provides a respectful conclusion to the lease, ensuring that the niches are available for newcomers.
There’s no right or wrong answer in choosing a lease period. Families may pick shorter or longer terms as it matches their preferences.
What matters is that they’re able to properly revere their ancestors in accordance with filial piety.
5. Feng Shui (If Applicable)
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that harmonises individuals with their surrounding environment by strategically placing objects and structures.
In Singapore, where cultural beliefs play a significant role in ceremonial traditions, Feng Shui is often considered when selecting a columbarium niche for a loved one’s remains. The arrangement of objects plays a significant role in Feng Shui.
Depending on individual beliefs, followers believe that a columbarium’s arrangement influences the peaceful transition of the deceased into the afterlife.
Families might also personalise the interior of the niche to make it feel more homely and comfortable, ensuring that the space not only respects but also comforts the spirit of the departed. This consideration in ash management and niche selection helps maintain a serene and balanced resting place by Feng Shui principles.
6. Cost
Another factor is the price of a columbarium in Singapore. The cost of leasing a columbarium niche will often depend on the “levels”.
The level structured at eye level would usually be the most costly. Thus, you should choose the niche level depending on your preferences and budget.
The range of options available allows families to select a niche that meets their needs while staying within an affordable price range.
How Much Does A Columbarium Cost?
The cost of columbarium niches can vary widely, largely influenced by location, size, material and additional features.
Government-managed columbaria in Singapore offer a more budget-friendly option, with standard niches starting at around $500 for individual spots and $900 for family-style niches. It’s important to note that these prices exclude the cost of marble plaques.
For those opting for private columbaria, prices can range from $2,000 to $40,000. These costs vary based on the type of niche, its level within the columbarium and any customisations, including Feng Shui considerations.
Private facilities often allow for more personalisation and may offer payment instalments to ease the financial burden.
Factors affecting the cost include:
- Location: Niche costs can vary significantly depending on whether the columbarium is situated in a rural or urban area, with urban areas generally commanding higher prices.
- Size: The size of the niche impacts the price, with larger niches designed to accommodate multiple urns costing more than smaller, single-urn niches.
- Material: The type of material used for the niche (e.g., granite, marble, glass) also influences the cost, with premium materials being more expensive.
- Visibility: Niches located at eye level may cost more than those situated higher or lower, due to ease of access and visibility.
- Endowment Care: Some columbariums charge an endowment care fee for the ongoing maintenance of the niche and the surrounding facilities, adding to the overall cost.
- Extras: Additional features such as engraved nameplates, lighting or the ability to accommodate larger or uniquely shaped urns can also increase the cost.
When considering the purchase of a columbarium niche, it’s important to inquire about the total cost, including any one-time fees for opening and closing the niche, as well as any ongoing maintenance or endowment care fees.
How Much Does It Cost To Put Ashes In A Columbarium?
Placing ashes in a columbarium in Singapore involves several costs beyond just the initial booking of the niche.
The process begins with choosing a suitable columbarium, such as the government-managed Choa Chu Kang Columbarium or Mandai Columbarium, where fees for a single niche start at $500 if allocated sequentially and can reach $1,150 for a double niche selected by the family.
In addition to the booking fees, there are other expenses to consider, including the maintenance of the niche and the costs for opening and closing the niche during ceremonies. These are important for ensuring the columbarium niche remains a dignified resting place.
There might also be ceremonial costs, such as those for a memorial service or the installation of a marble plaque, which add to the overall expenses of commemorating the departed.
The cremation process itself also incurs costs. For instance, at the Mandai Government Crematorium, the cremation fee is $100 or $50 for children below ten years.
Private facilities like the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery charge $321 for cremation, with additional fees starting from $1,600 for urn and ash storage. These fees cover the services provided during the cremation and the subsequent handling and storage of ashes.
Conclusion About Choosing A Columbarium In Singapore
Whatever your family’s preference, handling such matters without assistance can be overwhelming and confusing.
However, our team at Casket Fairprice promises to make this affair as hassle-free as possible.
We do our best to deliver dignified funeral services to provide families with peace of mind and ensure they can remember and honour their departed peacefully.
We offer experienced assistance in arranging the funeral wake and managing all aspects related to the cremation and columbarium services.
With over 20 years of handling various funeral customs, we provide personalised support to ensure that all arrangements, including the handling of necessary documents like the death certificate, are catered for effectively, offering comfort to the bereaved and a respectful tribute to the departed loved ones.
We also offer free funeral pre-planning consultation at no obligations, where families can enquire about the funeral process, explore options and considerations and decide what is best for them. Find out more here.
Contact us for more information. We offer funeral packages for Buddhist, Christian, Taoist, Freethinker and other beliefs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing A Columbarium In Singapore
What Is The Best Urn For A Columbarium?
Stone and marble cremation urns are the best options for a columbarium. These materials are hardy and will last for several decades, making them an appropriate choice.
What Is A Spot In A Columbarium Called?
Each spot in a columbarium is called a niche. These are the slots where urns are stored. They come in various sizes but generally hold one urn at a time.
Can Catholics Store Their Ashes In A Columbarium?
Cremation is a widely accepted practice among Catholics, and cremated remains may be stored in the government columbariums or the columbariums of your respective churches (if available).
Can I Keep Ashes At Home In Singapore?
Yes. After the remains have been cremated, the family may choose to store the ashes at home or in a columbarium niche. There are many available private columbaria in Singapore as well as government-mandated ones.
How Long Are Ashes Kept In The Columbarium?
Ashes can be kept in a columbarium niche indefinitely as long as the maintenance fees are paid. The duration typically depends on the type of lease purchased with the niche, which can vary, especially between private and government-managed columbaria.
Many families also choose permanent placements to ensure a lasting memorial for their loved ones.