Source: Government of Singapore
Two-year trial offers a more accessible alternative as Singapore’s ageing population drives demand for after-death services
12 October 2026 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will launch a two-year pilot offering ferry services in the second half of 2027, giving families a more accessible option for scattering cremated remains at sea. The pilot responds to growing demand for ash scattering as cremation numbers in Singapore continue to increase.
Meeting evolving after-death needs
2 As Singapore’s population ages, demand for after-death services is expected to grow. Annual deaths are projected to increase from about 26,500 in 2025 to around 40,000 by 2040. To meet this growing demand, NEA has been expanding capacity across government-managed facilities, including the opening of Mandai North Crematorium in August 2025. [1]
Growing preference for scattering options
3 Currently, around 82 per cent of those who pass away in Singapore are cremated. Since inland ash scattering (IAS) was introduced in 2021, take-up has grown steadily. The proportion of cremations where ashes were scattered at IAS facilities rose from about 7 per cent in 2022, the first full year of operation, to about 12 per cent in 2025. To support this trend, NEA opened the Garden of Serenity at Mandai North Crematorium in August 2025, Singapore’s second IAS facility. The growing preference for ash scattering has prompted NEA to explore additional options to meet public needs.
4 This trend is consistent with the findings from the Study on Wake Spaces conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) at the National University of Singapore. [2] About 42 per cent of respondents indicated a preference for ash scattering, comprising 27 per cent who preferred sea scattering, and 15 per cent who preferred IAS. These findings reflect sizeable interest in ash scattering as an alternative to storing cremated remains.
Pilot ferry service arrangements
5 The pilot ferry service will operate weekly from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal under the management of an operator appointed by NEA. The service will accommodate multiple groups on a single vessel, offering a cost-effective alternative for families seeking more accessible sea scattering options. A fee of S$50 per application applies.
6 Mr Chew Ming Fai, NEA Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director-General Public Health said, ” As needs and preferences evolve, we are committed to providing more options for people making after-death arrangements for their loved ones. This pilot will make the scattering of ashes at sea more accessible, while allowing us to better understand demand and shape the service to meet their needs.”
7 The pilot will run for two years, during which NEA will monitor uptake and gather feedback to assess the long-term viability of the service. More details on the pilot ferry services, including the pilot ash scattering site, booking arrangements and procedures, will be made available ahead of the commencement of operations in 2027.
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[2] The study took place from 2023 to 2024 and involved approximately 3,000 participants aged 21 and older.
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