1. Introduction
It is important to our loved ones who are no longer with us to have a place they can be remembered and honored. A report in the Malaysian Star in 2017 reported that “A study conducted by researchers in Australia has found that people are no longer traditional when it comes to the burial culture. They are more open toward cremation and the basic of setting the ashes into columbarium.” This study indicates that memorial parks are here to stay as society is becoming more accepting towards the culture of cremating the deceased.
Singapore Nirvana is the biggest Buddhist Memorial Park in Southeast Asia. Nirvana Memorial Park Singapore has become the choice location for many who wish to remember and honor the life of their loved ones. The practice of filial piety means that children have the responsibility to ensure that their departed parents are well taken care of. A report in the Malaysian Insight stated that “People are more willing to spend on the afterlife these days. The elderly are afraid that if they don’t set their own funerals, their wishes will not be met after they die. It has also become ‘trendy’ to set aside a place to remember the dead.”
1.1. Overview of Nirvana Memorial Garden
Nirvana Memorial Garden located in Singapore is one of the most beautiful cemeteries spanning across 28 acres of land hosting the largest indoor Columbarium in the world with air-conditioned comfort living up to 50 years and future expansion of 30 years capacity. The Memorial Garden delivers a serene and tranquil environment offering cremation services, comprehensive memorial packages, and facilities for the installation of ancestral tablets and funerary urns which are available to all communities regardless of race and religion. This one-stop bereavement care provider ensures needs and wants of remembrance are all taken care of under one roof. Being the largest Columbarium in Singapore, it promises a comfortable, convenient, and modern setting making it easier for visitations all year round complete with ample parking space. Also in store at Nirvana Memorial Garden lies The MediCare Fund, offering free niches to people who have been certified by the medical board to be long-term disabled or needy without the financial means to afford a proper send-off. This is to alleviate and facilitate the care of this group of people by providing them a favorable solution in preparing for the future. In the light of this, it ensures that no Singaporean is deprived of a proper and dignified memorial even in times of adversity.
1.2. Importance of Memorial Gardens
Memorial gardens are important to every family who has lost someone close. It is a place where they can visit daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or in time of need. Even future generations are able to visit and pay respect. They are sanctuaries, places removed from the hustle and bustle of daily living, where people can quietly contemplate the meaning of life and death. Memorial gardens are a healing environment for the mind. Being in a natural, garden-like setting makes people feel at peace, and this is especially true for those who have lost loved ones. Gardens have a restorative effect on people, and can have therapeutic value in helping people deal with their losses. The beauty of the garden can often represent the beauty of life, or the beauty of the life of the one who is being remembered. This can lead to celebrating the lives of the deceased rather than mourning their deaths. This provides an uplifting environment for those who knew the deceased, as they can focus on positive memories. Also, memorial gardens can be a place of rebirth, they are an attempt to transform grievous loss into something positive. People who have made contributions to create a garden feel that they have done something good to honor their deceased loved ones. This is especially true for on-site memorials, as someone can create a lasting legacy for others to benefit from. The symbolism of life and rebirth can be powerfully represented in a garden through the planting of trees, flowers, and shrubbery. Finally, memorial gardens usually represent hope for the future. They can aid in personal growth and life transition, as the time spent there can lead to a renewed outlook on life. The acceptance of death is a key part in moving on, and exposure to memorial gardens can help people come to terms with their losses. In essence, gardens are an essential part of the grieving process for many people. They are a place of coming and going, a place of remembering, and a place of moving on.
1.3. Location of Nirvana Memorial Garden
This location was chosen by Nirvana Memorial Garden as it is deemed an ideal Feng Shui site for a pilgrimage. The site has a hill at the back and a body of water running in front, known as the Dragon Hill and Dragon Water; essential for good Feng Shui. The surrounding hills serve to embrace the qi, and the water which flows around the compound is believed to be where water from the Dragon Hill is collected. This together will ensure that the energy of the place is forever retained. The view of the surrounding greenery seen throughout the day is calming to the mind and soul.
Nirvana Memorial Garden is located at 950 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, bounded by Lim Chu Kang Road. It is situated in the serene area of Lim Chu Kang, away from the bustling city life. Lim Chu Kang is an area located in the western part of Singapore. The area has a vast agricultural expanse with many farms and nurseries, and is known for its lush countryside environment. The vicinity is also near other heritage attractions such as the Kranji War Cemetery, Kranji War Memorial, and the Neo Tiew/Lim Chu Kang Rural Centre. Ample parking space is available within the compound of Nirvana Memorial Garden.
2. Services and Facilities
Cremation is a popular afterlife arrangement in Singapore due to the scarcity of burial land. A standard 1.2-hour session is allocated for the family to witness the charging of the coffin and a further 30 minutes for the witnessing of the actual cremation. We have simplified our Direct Cremation service to cater to the general population, and the Buddhist and Taoist communities. In addition to the above, our Buddhist and Taoist members may opt for a more traditional cremation ceremony where chanting and prayers are held for the deceased. The cremation charges are inclusive of the following: Permit for Cremation, Doctor’s Fee, Coffin Handling, and Cremation Fee. Family members may choose to witness the actual cremation process at a nominal fee of $50.00. Do contact our Buddhist Division at 6849 5363 or Taoist Division at 6849 5364 for further assistance.
We have a range of funeral services on offer, designed to provide a fitting send-off for your loved ones, regardless of religion or race. These include Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, Soka, secular, and children’s funeral services. Hindus may choose to hold their loved one’s wake at our indoor or alfresco pavilions, prior to the cremation service at Mandai Crematorium. Ashes may be collected to be scattered at sea, or for foreigners, repatriated, according to immigration laws. Our professional service team will assist families with the necessary administrative procedures, thus ensuring a hassle-free experience during a difficult time.
2.1. Funeral Services Offered
b. Customized Funeral Services: As the name indicates, this service is tailored for specific needs and requirements of the family. This service caters to all types of religious services and rituals and includes specific requirements. These requirements may include a visit to the deceased’s place of residence before removal, a simple service at the Nirvana Memorial Centre with a same-day return of the deceased back to the residence, or a full-scale service with the use of a hearse to transfer the casket. Other detailed requirements are also provided, such as contingency plans for terminally ill patients at home, death in the hospital, death overseas, or even death during pregnancy.
a. Basic Package Funeral Services: This includes a 3-day, 2-night wake service at the residence. Afterward, the deceased is sent to Nirvana Memorial Centre for a simple service. Then, they are taken to the place of religious worship and finally to the final resting place at the designated Nirvana Memorial Garden. The package includes funeral arrangement advice, arrangement of documentation, personal coordination and setup of religious artifacts and photos, funeral event coordination and crowd management, arrangement of monks or masters for last religious rites, setup of mobile toilets, tents, and lighting for the funeral wake, professional pallbearing services to and fro Nirvana and the place of worship, car escorts and traffic marshals, basic floral setups, and basic funeral supplies and equipment.
The range of services offered at Nirvana includes those in the planning and conducting of funeral rites. The specific services cater to the needs of Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, Catholics, Soka Gakkai, Hindus, and those for non-religious services.
2.2. Cremation Services
Families of the deceased person may choose to witness the committal at the cremator, and a slot can be arranged for this to take place, usually at an off-peak time. The family’s private committal can be provided, allowing family members to witness a committal conducted by a cremator operator, when no other committals are taking place. The deceased is then removed in a coffin from the chapel area, and the family can participate in the scattering or interring of the cremated remains in the Garden of Remembrance.
The Nirvana Memorial Garden has two crematoria with up-to-date facilities to provide total cremation services. Various types of cremation treatment are available within the different crematoria areas. The most common method of cremation is a standard procedure that takes the deceased to the cremator on a trolley, followed by a respectful and private committal to the cremator. The deceased is usually cremated in the clothing in which they were laid to rest. This method can be observed by family members if requested. The Nirvana Memorial Garden also has a facility for a self-committal procedure where the deceased is placed directly into the cremator. This is the first facility of its kind on offer in the public sector in Singapore.
2.3. Burial Services
Leveraging on the fact that Nirvana Memorial Garden is equipped with modern and traditional burial plots and spacious land, we are able to offer comprehensive Chinese and Christian burial services to cater to the needs of the deceased and their family members. Our professional team of staff is also experienced and well-trained to handle the funeral wake and burial process through the use of modern funeral hearses and equipment, allowing peace of mind for the family members. Our burial services include repatriation, embalming and dressing, arrangement of casketing, funeral decorations and setups, provision of tentage, tables and chairs, arrangement of prayer sessions and logistics, and handling of the burial procedure. With flexible land usage and strategic location, we will ensure a serene and composed environment for the perfect burial service for your loved ones. Rest assured that we will do our best to accommodate your needs, ensuring a smooth and flawless experience for the burial service of your loved ones in a conducive environment.
2.4. Memorialization Options
Nirvana Columbarium endeavors to provide a lasting tribute to loved ones by offering a serene setting for families to honor their loved ones. Located within our Memorial Parks, each Columbarium is uniquely designed to offer an ideal place of peaceful memories. Built with modern facilities, it is well maintained to provide total serenity and peace of mind. Plant and floral decorations, as well as a water feature, are added to enhance the warmth and comfort of the surroundings. Tribute is paid through the inscription of epitaphs on each niche front, commemorating the life of a departed loved one. This option is also available at selected Nirvana Memorial Centres and is particularly suitable for families living in urban areas.
Nirvana Memorial Garden blends the beauty of nature with the history of traditions. It allows for the old traditions of paying respects to past ancestors to be upheld while giving the younger generations a chance to reflect on the past from the modern world. Assimilating traditions from classical Chinese methods with modern practices, the beauty and serenity of Nirvana Memorial Garden provides a tranquil setting for families to gather to remember their loved ones. Each garden is complete with a peace pond or water feature as well as specific areas for urn placement and inscription of epitaphs. This symbolizes a sanctuary where love transcends time and generations. This option is also available at our overseas memorial parks.
A variety of unique and lasting memorialization options are available to provide a tranquil setting for families to remember their loved ones. These include Nirvana Memorial Garden, Nirvana Columbarium, Nirvana Memorial Centre Kiosk, Nirvana Memorial Centre, and Nirvana Memorial Service. Specific details of each option are listed as follows:
3. Pricing and Packages
Singapore Nirvana price offers various types of services that cater to different individuals based on their customs, traditions, religious beliefs, and also affordability. It will be much easier to explain and recommend services based on location and faith. Visitors are encouraged to call any of the Nirvana Memorial Park to schedule an appointment with a friendly Memorial Advisor who is proficient in the respective languages and also familiar with the rituals or ceremonies related to the package that the visitor may be interested in. This is to ensure that clients receive a clear and correct understanding of the depth of every single package. Also, Nirvana ensures that its clients understand how important it is to pre-plan final rites for peace of mind. Pre-planning includes securing a memorial package thus alleviating one’s family from the heavy financial burden during mourning and also saving them the mental torment from making crucial decisions at the wrong time. Clients have the opportunity to pay for services in advance in order to secure the services. Duration for the pre-plan may vary. Pre-Planning can be done any time during the client’s lifetime. An excellent option for anyone who wishes to leave detailed instructions for their deceased or for family members to pay homage on Qing Ming festival, a very traditional and special day where Chinese families visit and clean their ancestor’s graves to demonstrate filial piety. In order to better meet suite and benefit clients of both affordability and belief, Nirvana offers different types of packages for different funeral needs. Shariah Law has a special package for its Muslim followers regardless of the types be it burial or cremation available exclusively only at the Muslim Cemetery at Tanah Merah. Ash post-casket has an option for Crystal Urn niche at a much lower price for those who are concerned with the increase in cost in residential property therefore abolishing the need to further relocate due to unforeseen future development.
3.1. Cost of Services at Nirvana Singapore
In Singapore, the cost of the funeral will vary depending on the services you require. General Director Lim Yew Kwong says that the company is committed to serve all segments of society, regardless of race or religion. However, he also adds, “We are neutral about who comes, yet our cost is not cheap because we are a business, we are not a charity.” The implication that Nirvana is aimed at serving the middle and upper classes is accurate as judging from the plethora of lavishly decorated multi-storey columbaria sprouting up in Singapore society, the local Chinese have become more accepting towards the idea of spending more money on funerals. This idea has come about as more Singaporeans are reverting the previously popular practice of cremating loved ones at government-run facilities and then scattering their ashes at sea. A significant portion of the population now is looking towards other alternatives as Singaporeans generally believe that where a person’s ashes are stored represents his status in the afterlife. As such, many are willing to fork out thousands of dollars for a serene final resting place or an intricately designed urn for their loved ones. Nirvana’s funeral services are heavily marketed to its niche target audience who are willing to spend a large sum of money in order to give their loved ones a proper send-off. This is reflected in a statement by a former Nirvana staff that “it is a package for the living, for the deceased and future generations.” An example of this would be Nirvana’s sea burial services which start at $3333 for a three-urn set and can range from $4000-$5000 in total when additional services are factored in. This option has been a hit with clients and has even received positive feedback from the Taiwan Visitors Association in Singapore who stated that more Taiwanese would be willing to stay in Singapore for extended periods knowing that there are such services available.
3.2. Pre-Planning Options and Benefits
An often overlooked yet powerful practice is the act of pre-planning. Making plans in advance is a surefire way to ensure that a life event goes as smoothly as possible with as little stress as possible. Much like planning for a financially stable future, pre-planning for end-of-life services secures and hedges ourselves and our loved ones against the uncertainty of the future. As unexpected as the future can be, death remains one of the few guarantees in life, making pre-planning all the more critical. Consider the peace of mind in knowing that everything is taken care of for you and your loved ones pre and post passing. Lastly, the act of planning and making a funeral service personalized can be immensely rewarding for an individual. Personalization involves taking into account all of one’s likes, hobbies, and accomplishments in life and creating a service to reflect that. This task can be daunting for loved ones who are grieving and have little energy to engage in extensive planning. By planning your own service, you can ensure that the memory of your personality and contributions to the world are upheld in a way you would like to be remembered. With this in mind, Nirvana Singapore offers a wide array of pre-planning options made to be as economical as possible to fit individual needs. Fixed pre-planning allows individuals to plan for a future date and fix prices to said date, ensuring that inflation does not affect the package. The flexibility of no fixed date pre-planning allows for changes to be made up to three days before the service date. If one’s finances are not in order but immediate pre-planning is necessary, Nirvana also offers a pre-planning consultation in which services can be planned at any time with payment made at a later date.
3.3. Packages and Customization
Customers may not necessarily come from a Chinese cultural background. Hence, as an integrated memorial service provider, Nirvana also addresses the needs of non-Chinese customers. Although Nirvana advocates traditional Chinese rites and rituals, it has developed its products and services to cater to multi-racial and multi-religious users in order to ensure that Nirvana is a universally acceptable brand. Thus, customers and family members of all races and religions can rest assured that their needs will be taken care of. With the consultation of a team of professional advisors, Shanti Memorial and Nirvana @Mandai have established the Shah Jahan Muslim Package, PARS Hindu Package, and a Christian Package at Lavender.
The consultants know that different people have different needs and will try to cater to every single person’s needs. The consultants will also help recommend an alternative should a particular choice not be suitable due to various reasons. Pre-planning entails less uncertainty in terms of land availability and reduces emotional pressures on family members and related parties.
The packages include a wide variety of choices and amenities. They range from VIP to standard packages with different periods of contract. There are also packages catered to religious beliefs and a Baby Package for stillborn or babies not exceeding 1 year old. Customers also have the option to customize their own package. The consultants are more than willing to explain the packages in detail and to help you choose a package that best suits your every need.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any religious restrictions? There are no religious restrictions from using the services. All religious beliefs are welcomed to take up Nirvana’s services.
Can non-Chinese individuals use the services? Yes, they can. Although Nirvana is built with traditional Chinese architecture and ideologies, the services are provided for individuals from all walks of life.
How to contact Nirvana Singapore? You can contact Nirvana Singapore by calling 6844 8066 or visiting their office at 22, Tampines Street 92, Singapore 528892.
What is the history of Nirvana Memorial Garden? Nirvana Memorial Garden was established in 1990 by a group of successful Chinese entrepreneurs with the objective of creating a burial place that personifies the perfect resting place for departed loved ones. It was constructed on these very ideals and is built upon 100 acres of undulating countryside spreading 30,000 burial plots and niches.
4.1. What is the history of Nirvana Memorial Garden?
Nirvana Memorial Garden in Singapore, located off Old Choa Chu Kang Road, in Lim Chu Kang, first started providing its premium bereavement care in 2004. Nirvana Asia Limited, the parent company of Nirvana Memorial Garden in Singapore, was established in Malaysia in 1990. Nirvana Singapore is a joint venture between Nirvana Asia Limited and two Singapore partners. This 50-acre prime burial land – Nirvana Central – is the largest in Singapore, with a capacity of 100,000 burial plots. It is the only premium bereavement care provider in Singapore offering a 999-year lease tenure for its burial plots. Subsequently, Nirvana Central is the first of its kind outside China and Taiwan to have built the largest indoor state-of-the-art columbarium. This classical yet contemporary design boasts 50,000 niches and offers a uniquely conducive and comfortable environment for both devotional visitors and niche occupants. Built with full air-conditioning, family members are now able to perform devotions anytime of the day in this peaceful sanctuary.
4.2. How to contact Nirvana Singapore?
Nirvana Singapore’s official telephone number is 1800-121-4444 and the official address is 22 Choa Chu Kang St 66, Singapore 689286. One of the Nirvana Singapore staff shall be able to assist you with any of your funeral-related inquiries, or you can choose to make a visit at our above-mentioned address. To locate our office nearest to you, simply click Showroom. If you do not know how to hold a proper funeral or accept the fact of losing a loved one, we encourage you to visit our Nirvana funeral academy at 22 Chua Chu Kang Street 66. With courses in traditional customs, ceremonies, and services, we aim to educate all individuals to value the concept of filial piety while honing the best life skills necessary to become an outstanding Funeral Consultant in the death-care industry. The principle of Nirvana Singapore has always been to put customers and their loved ones first. With a prime focus on our customers’ satisfaction, we have always pulled out all the stops to improve our funeral services. At Nirvana, we provide effective assistance and ensure that all funeral arrangements carry through as smoothly as possible. Time and again, our satisfied customers acknowledge and appreciate our efforts and the schedules that have been prepared for them. At Nirvana, we provide a comfortable death care environment. The memorial halls are luxuriously and elegantly furnished with an air-conditioned ambience. With our professional and experienced funeral consultants providing vast knowledge and free consultation for all necessary funeral planning, you will find that funeral arrangements can be a lot less difficult than initially perceived. By engaging Nirvana funeral consultants, many experience a deep sense of relief after plans have been made. All consultants here work cautiously and thoroughly. Our aim is to let you and your family members achieve complete peace of mind even in your absence. With the combination of excellent service and the skills acquired through the mobilization of modern technology and traditional customs, we promise that the deceased will have a dignified farewell.
4.3. Can non-Chinese individuals use the services?
The services provided by Nirvana Memorial Garden to create peace and harmony are available to everyone regardless of race, language, or religion. The company was established to provide a place where people from all backgrounds can come together and remember their loved ones. A final resting place which is open to people of all nations but yet is also able to reflect the culture and traditions of the people of Singapore. The company believes that culture and tradition are important to a person and his family and that no one should have to compromise this when seeking a memorial space. Decisions on burial method, location, and religious requirements are all personal choices. Nirvana Memorial Garden understands that everyone is different, so the company has planned and designed the gardens to incorporate the customs and practices of each of the major religions in Singapore, whilst still being open to people of different faiths. The Garden has specific areas allocated for Christian Burials, Muslim Burials, and Soka Community, all of which are designed according to specific requirements of those religions. This allows those from various religious groups to be able to choose a burial space in accordance with their faith. For example, the Muslim Garden has been designed according to consultation with local Muslim leaders and the Muslim Cemetery Board to ensure that the area fulfills the religious requirements for a Muslim Burial place.
4.4. Are there any religious restrictions?
Yes, this is the case. Although Nirvana is flexible and extends its services to all, they do encourage individuals to research their preferred burial method and ensure that it aligns with their religious beliefs before approaching Nirvana. For example, a vault burial may conflict with an individual’s Islamic faith, or a burial plot may conflict with Christian beliefs as they view it as taking up land that should be given back to mother nature. By having a strong awareness and understanding of one’s own religion and beliefs, it will be easier to identify the best plan for yourself or a loved one. With that in mind, Nirvana is committed to improving society’s attitudes toward end-of-life care, delivering wholesome services and promoting knowledge so that people can make informed decisions no matter their background or religion.
