Families in Singapore will soon have a more affordable way to honour loved ones who have passed away, with a new ferry service allowing cremated ashes to be scattered at sea for $50 per application from the second half of 2027.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on Monday (Oct 12) that it will introduce a two-year pilot programme, with weekly departures from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal.
The service will be operated by a provider appointed by NEA and will allow multiple bereaved families to share a vessel, helping to keep costs down.
Each application will cover up to six family members, according to information provided by NEA to The Straits Times.
The initiative aims to make sea ash scattering more accessible as Singapore’s population ages and demand for after-death services grows.
Why NEA is introducing the new service
About 82 per cent of people who die in Singapore are cremated, according to NEA.
The agency expects annual deaths to rise from around 26,500 in 2025 to approximately 40,000 by 2040, increasing the need for options for handling cremated remains.
Ash scattering has also become more popular in recent years. The proportion of cremations followed by scattering at designated inland facilities rose from about 7 per cent in 2022 to around 12 per cent in 2025.
A study by the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore found that about 42 per cent of respondents preferred ash scattering as a post-death arrangement. Of those surveyed, 27 per cent favoured scattering ashes at sea, while 15 per cent preferred inland facilities.
NEA deputy chief executive and director-general of public health Chew Ming Fai said the pilot would make sea scattering more accessible while helping the agency understand demand and shape the service around families’ needs.
How the $50 ferry service compares with other options
The new ferry programme will offer an alternative to existing arrangements for cremated remains.
Currently, families can engage private funeral service providers to scatter ashes at a designated site about 3.2km east of Raffles Lighthouse.
For those who prefer to scatter ashes on land, NEA operates two inland facilities: the Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, which opened in May 2021, and the Garden of Serenity at Mandai North Crematorium, which opened in August 2025.
Booking an inland ash-scattering session at these facilities costs $320, making the proposed $50 ferry application a lower-cost alternative.
Families may also choose to keep cremated remains in a columbarium niche or at home.
More details will be announced before launch
The two-year pilot will allow NEA to monitor the number of families using the service and gather feedback before deciding on its long-term viability.
Details such as the designated sea-scattering location, booking arrangements and operating procedures have yet to be announced. The agency said further information would be released ahead of the service’s launch in 2027.
The ferry service is intended to provide families with another way to commemorate loved ones while giving the Government a clearer picture of demand for sea ash scattering.
For families planning ahead, the programme could offer a more affordable option — although they will need to wait for the official booking details before making arrangements.
