Burial in Singapore: Rules, Fees and the 15-Year Limit

Burial in Singapore: What Families Need to Know

For some families, burial is a matter of faith; for others, it is a family tradition. Burial in Singapore works differently from many other countries: there is one cemetery open for burials, the grave is kept for 15 years, and the remains are then exhumed.

This guide sets out where burials take place, the National Environment Agency (NEA) plot fees, how to book a burial, what the 15-year rule means for your family and how to plan for the years that follow.

Burial in Singapore takes place at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, the only cemetery open for burials. NEA plot fees start at $315, graves are kept for 15 years and then exhumed. Nirvana Memorial Garden, on the same road in Choa Chu Kang, offers funeral services and niches for the years after.

Where Burial Takes Place in Singapore

The Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex, at 940 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, is the only cemetery in Singapore open for burials. It is managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA), and enquiries go to the NEA hotline on 6225 5632.

Older cemeteries around the island have closed to new burials over the years as land was needed for housing and roads. Today every new burial in Singapore takes place at Choa Chu Kang.

Source: NEA, Burial, Cremation and Ash Storage (page updated 28 October 2026).

Burial Sections for Different Faiths

The cemetery has separate burial grounds for several faiths. NEA lists dedicated cemeteries for:

Muslim burials
the Ahmadiyya Jama’at community
Jewish burials
Parsi burials
Bahai burials

Other burials take place in the remaining government cemetery sections at Choa Chu Kang, which are charged at a different rate (see the table below). Your funeral director or religious organisation can advise on the right section and any rites to arrange.

Burial in Singapore Fees

NEA charges these plot fees for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents:

Cemetery	Age 10 and above	Below age 10
Muslim, Ahmadiyya Jama’at, Jewish, Parsi and Bahai cemeteries	$315	$140
All other government cemeteries	$940	$420

The plot fee does not include the funeral itself, the coffin, transport, religious rites or a tombstone. Ask your funeral director for an itemised quotation. Our guide to funeral service costs in Singapore explains the other costs to plan for.

How to Book a Burial

Burials are booked with NEA by phone or in person at the service counters, Monday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm (closed 1pm to 2pm). Bring:

proof of death: a digital death certificate, a Manual Confirmation of Death or a public hospital printout;
the Permit to Bury;
the identity documents of the next-of-kin and the applicant;
a letter of authorisation, if the applicant is not the next-of-kin.

Most families ask their funeral director to handle the booking and documents, so they can focus on the wake and the rites.

The 15-Year Burial Period

Since 1 November 1998, burial in Singapore has been limited to 15 years. At the end of that period, the grave is exhumed:

If the religion allows cremation, the remains are cremated and the ashes are placed in a columbarium niche.
If the religion requires burial, the remains are reburied in a smaller individual plot.

This means a burial is not the final step for most families. It helps to talk early about where the remains or ashes will rest after exhumation, so the decision is not left to the next generation at short notice.

Why Many Families Now Choose Cremation

Burial is still chosen for reasons of faith and tradition, but more Singapore families now choose cremation. Common reasons include:

the 15-year limit on graves, which means a second arrangement later;
a niche that the whole family can visit in comfort, in all weather;
a lower total cost for many families;
simpler arrangements, such as a direct cremation without a wake.

To weigh the two side by side, read Cremation vs Burial: Facts for a Better Decision.

Planning for the Years After a Burial

Families who choose burial can still plan ahead for the time after exhumation:

Agree on the long-term wishes of the deceased and record them with the family.
Decide where the ashes or remains will rest after 15 years: a government niche, a private columbarium or a family niche shared with a spouse.
Keep the documents safe, including the burial records, so the next-of-kin can act when the time comes.
Visit and remember during Qing Ming, anniversaries and other days that matter to your family.

A private niche can be chosen in advance. See the Nirvana Memorial Garden columbarium and ancestral pedestals.

How Nirvana Memorial Garden Can Help

Nirvana Memorial Garden Singapore is at 950 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, on the same road as the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex. Our 24-hour funeral services team can guide your family through a burial or a cremation, and our burial services guide explains the options we arrange.

Call us any time on +65 9684 2263, or WhatsApp us to ask a question or book a site visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners be buried in Singapore?

Only if the deceased has immediate next-of-kin (parents, a spouse or children) who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, and NEA gives written permission in advance. The plot fee is then $1,880 for those aged 10 and above.

How is the burial plot fee paid?

The plot fee is paid at the NEA counter before the burial. NEA accepts NETS, CashCard and credit cards, so the applicant should bring one of these when making the booking at the counter.

Can a burial booking be changed or cancelled?

Yes, but only in person at the NEA counter, by the applicant or the next-of-kin, with the relevant documents. Allow time for this visit, as NEA does not take changes any other way.

Who can put up a tombstone at a government cemetery?

Only the original burial applicant, or someone with their written authorisation, can apply for a tombstone permit. The family must use an NEA-registered contractor for work in NEA-managed cemeteries, so check the list with NEA first.