OCTOBER 12 — The National Environment Agency (NEA) will launch a two-year pilot ferry service for the scattering of cremated remains at sea in the second half of 2027, it said today.

The pilot is being introduced in response to growing demand for ash scattering as the number of cremations in Singapore rises.

“As Singapore’s population ages, demand for after-death services is expected to grow,” the agency stated.

The ferry service will operate weekly from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal, under the management of an operator appointed by NEA.

Multiple groups will be allowed to board each vessel for cost-effectiveness. A fee of $50 per application applies, NEA said.

The agency will monitor uptake of the service and gather feedback to assess the service’s long-term viability.

More details on the pilot ferry service, including the ash scattering site, booking arrangements and procedures, will be released ahead of its launch in 2027.

The agency also shared that annual deaths are expected to increase from 26,500 in 2025 to about 40,000 by 2040.

Currently, around 82 per cent of those who pass away in Singapore are cremated, with take-up of inland ash scattering growing since the option was introduced in 2021.

The proportion of cremations where ashes were scattered at inland ash scattering facilities rose to about 12 per cent in 2025, up from about seven per cent in 2022.

According to findings from the Study on Wake Spaces conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore, around 42 per cent of respondents indicated a preference for ash scattering.

As for the type of ash scattering, 27 per cent shared their preference for ash scattering at sea, while 15 per cent preferred utilising inland facilities.

At present, the agency has been expanding capacity across government-managed facilities, such as the opening of The Garden of Serenity at Mandai North Crematorium in August 2025.

The Garden of Serenity is Singapore’s second inland ash scattering facility.

NEA deputy chief executive officer and director-general of public health Chew Ming Fai said that as needs and preferences evolve, the agency is 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.” — AsiaOne