NEA to launch two-year pilot for sea scattering of cremated remains from 2027
Singapore's National Environment Agency will launch a two-year pilot from the second half of 2027 allowing families to scatter cremated remains at sea, with a fee of S$50 per application. The service, which responds to growing demand for ash scattering, will operate weekly from Pasir Panjang Ferry T
SINGAPORE: Families will be able to scatter the cremated remains of their loved ones at sea under a two-year pilot scheme from the second half of 2027, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on Monday (Oct 12). The service will operate weekly from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal under an operator appointed by NEA, and will accommodate multiple groups on a single vessel at a fee of S$50 (US$39) per application.
The pilot responds to growing demand for ash scattering as cremation numbers in Singapore continue to rise, NEA said in a media release. The agency will monitor uptake and gather feedback during the pilot to assess the long-term viability of the service. More details, including the pilot ash scattering site, booking arrangements and procedures, will be announced ahead of operations commencing in 2027.
The S$50 fee compares with S$320 for scattering cremated remains at Singapore's two inland ash scattering (IAS) gardens: the Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and the Garden of Serenity, which opened in August 2025. About 82 per cent of those who die in Singapore are cremated, and the proportion of cremations where ashes were scattered at IAS facilities rose to about 12 per cent in 2025 from about 7 per cent in 2022, the first full year of operation.
NEA said the growing preference for ash scattering as an alternative to storing cremated remains prompted it to explore additional options. Singapore's demand for after-death services is expected to grow as the population ages, with annual deaths projected to increase from about 26,500 in 2025 to about 40,000 by 2040.
The trend is consistent with findings from the Study on Wake Spaces conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies at the National University of Singapore. 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.
NEA deputy chief executive officer and director-general of public health Chew Ming Fai 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."
