Mount Vernon Columbarium

Plans for a new crematorium in the area were first announced in 1954, which was to be built on either Mount Vernon or on Lornie Road overlooking MacRitchie Reservoir.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 15 April 1954|title= A Matter of Life or Death |url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19540415-1.2.136|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The site on Mount Vernon was previously a multi-religious burial ground.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 20 May 2008|title= Final resting place|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} Mount Vernon was selected as the site of the crematorium in May, and was built later that year.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 31 May 1954|title= Site picked for S'pore crematorium|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19540531-1.2.57|work= The Singapore Free Press|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The crematorium, known as the Mount Vernon Crematorium, was completed in October 1962, and only had one service hall, holding around four cremations a week.{{cite news |last= Wong|first= Pei Ting|date= 8 September 2018|title= The rise and demise of Mount Vernon Columbarium|url= https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/rise-and-demise-mount-vernon-columbarium|work= today|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} Plans for a $500,000 expansion of the crematorium were announced in May 1974 due to the increasing popularity of cremation.{{cite news |last= Holmberg|first= Judith|date= 21 May 1974|title= More crematoriums will be set up by the govt|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19740521-1.2.13.14|work= New Nation|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The extension was completed in May 1975, and cost $250,000.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 30 April 1975|title= More city burial grounds to make way for growth|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19750430-1.2.26|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}}

Plans were also made in 1974 to build a columbarium with 3,000 niches.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 27 July 1974|title= S'Poreans Urged to Cremate the Dead |url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19740727-1.2.84|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The first phase of the project would comprise fifteen blocks, each containing 200 niches.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 9 October 1975|title= Cremation gaining ground here|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19751009-1.2.5.9|work= New Nation|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The columbarium opened in 1976, with only 161 niches occupied in the first year.{{cite news |last= Goh|first= Serene|date= 5 July 2004|title= Passing on - Last cremation at Mount Vernon|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} Two funeral parlours and embalming rooms were opened in April 1978 due to the lack of space for funerals in public housing estates. The complex cost $300,000 to build, and was open to people of any religion.{{cite news |last= Wong|first= Moh Keed|date= 1 April 1978|title= Funeral parlours at crematorium ready next week|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19780401-1.2.77|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} In 1978, it cost $30 to cremate the body of a child, and $15 for the bodies of those below the age of 15.{{cite news |last= Wang|first= Look Keah|date= 3 August 1978|title= Deadly cost of dying|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19780803-1.2.21|work= The Business Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} In December 1979, it was announced that all of the graves in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital burial ground would be exhumed for cremation at the crematorium.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 24 December 1979|title= Hospital Graves to be Exhumed |url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19791224-1.2.27|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}}

Plans to expand the columbarium, adding five new cluster of columbaria containing 7,920 additional niches for storing urns containing ashes were announced on 1 November 1981 by then Minister for the Environment Ong Pang Boon.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 2 November 1981|title= Another 7,900 niches for ashes of dead|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19811102-1.2.66|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 4 November 1981|title= More urn space|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newnation19811104-1.2.41|work= New Nation|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The expansion had been partially completed by January 1983, with 704 more niches ready for use.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 6 January 1983|title= 704 more niches ready for use at columbarium|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19830106-1.2.90|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The extension cost $1.1 million, and added 5,280 more niches to the columbarium.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 7 March 1983|title= More ash space at Mount Vernon|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19830307-1.2.56|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} The ability for families to choose which niches they preferred was implemented on 23 December 1983, as some families considered lower niches to be "unfavourable" as they might be touched by brooms while sweeping and might attract more dust.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 23 December 1983|title= Families like 'right' niche for the dead|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19831223-1.2.23.6|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 22 December 1983|title= Now you can choose your own niche in columbarium|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singmonitor19831222-2.2.5.1|work= The Singapore Monitor|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} Another extension began construction in June 1985 and ended in September, comprising two clusters of columbaria, adding 2,112 single niches.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 31 July 1985|title= Mt Vernon columbaria extension ready in September|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19850731-1.2.24.26|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 15 June 2022}} An extension, which was completed in November 1987, comprised a two-level "church-style" building and a nine-storey Chinese pagoda, and added 13,230 more niches.{{cite news |last= Ngai|first= Chee Wah|date= 22 November 1987|title= A pagoda dedicated to the dead|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 28 November 1987|title= 9-storey pagoda for keeping ashes of the dead|url= https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/stoverseas19871128-1.2.7.3|work= The Straits Times (Overseas Ed)|location= Singapore|access-date= 16 June 2022}}{{cite news |last= Wong|first= Pei Ting|date= 8 September 2018|title= The Big Read: In memoriam – Mount Vernon, a sanctuary which provided both comfort and chills|url= https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/big-read-memoriam-mount-vernon-sanctuary-which-provided-both-comfort-and-chills|work= today|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}} The pagoda mainly housed niches for Buddhists and Taoists, while the "Church-style" building mainly housed niches for Christians.{{cite news |last1= Lim|first1= Allison|last2= Teh|first2= Jen Lee|date= 17 May 1998|title= Families prefer space in columbaria|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }}

Twenty-two funeral parlours were opened in January 2004, which were equipped with multiple facilities, such as DVD machines, amplifiers, speakers, sofa sets, flat-screen TV sets, and kitchenettes. The parlours were operated by Casket Fairprice, a funeral services provider.{{cite news |last= Ng|first= Desmond|date= 9 January 2004|title= Funeral parlour that's like new bungalow|url= |work= The New Paper|location= Singapore|access-date= }}

In February 2003, the Urban Redevelopment Authority announced that Mount Vernon Columbarium, along with Bidadari Cemetery, would be closed in 2005 to make way for future residential developments in the area. The complex would be replaced by a complex in Mandai, which would be ready in early 2004.{{cite news |last= Wong|first= Shermaine|date= 17 February 2003|title= Mount Vernon has to go|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 17 February 2003|title= Mt Vernon complex to go|url= |work= Streats|location= Singapore|access-date= }}{{cite news |last= Lau|first= Fook Kong|date= 22 February 2003|title= Mount Vernon has to go|url= |work= The Straits Times: Weekly Overseas Edition|location= Singapore|access-date= }} By then, the new complex would be the only operating crematorium.{{cite news |last= Teo|first= Meng Joo|date= 1 March 2003|title= The last of its kind|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} In May, it was announced that the crematorium in the complex would close on 30 June 2004.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 28 May 2004|title= Mount Vernon to close|url= |work= Streats|location= Singapore|access-date= }}{{cite news |last= Teh|first= Joo Lin|date= 28 May 2004|title= Last funeral at Mount Vernon on June 30|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} The crematorium in Mandai opened on 1 July, replacing Mount Vernon as the only operating crematorium.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 27 June 2004|title= New crematorium to replace Mt Vernon|url= |work= The New Paper|location= Singapore|access-date= }}

In September 2013, the National Environment Agency announced that the columbarium complex would be demolished to make way for future residential development in the area, as well as Bidadari Park,{{cite news |last= Au-Yong|first= Rachel|date= 17 January 2018|title= Death and renewal for iconic Mount Vernon|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/death-and-renewal-for-iconic-mt-vernon|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}} and would be replaced by the Mount Vernon Funeral Parlour, which was smaller in size.{{cite news |last= Poon|first= Chian Hui|date= 2 September 2013|title= 21,000 Mt Vernon niches to make way for Bidadari estate|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} The columbarium was to close after all of the niches had been relocated to either Choa Chu Kang Columbarium or the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium.{{cite news |last= Tan|first= Theresa|date= 19 October 2014|title= Death knell for Mount Vernon Columbarium Complex's funeral parlours?|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/death-knell-for-mount-vernon-columbarium-complexs-funeral-parlours|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 16 June 2022}} The claim and registration process for the niches began on 28 October 2015.{{cite news |last= Lee|first= Min Kok|date= 28 October 2015|title= Process for claiming and registration of Mount Vernon Columbarium niches starts Oct 28: NEA|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/process-for-claiming-and-registration-of-mount-vernon-columbarium-niches-starts-oct-28-nea|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}} In April 2015, the funeral parlours had their leases extended by two years.{{cite news |last= Tan|first= Theresa|date= 5 April 2015|title= Mount Vernon parlours get two more years|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }} The leases were further extended to March 2018 in December 2016.{{cite news |last= Lin|first= Melissa|date= 14 December 2016|title= Leases for Mt Vernon halls extended|url= |work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= }}{{cite news |last= Mokhtar|first= Faris|date= 12 December 2016|title= Funeral parlours at Mount Vernon Columbarium granted lease extensions|url= https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/leases-funeral-parlours-mount-vernon-extended-again|work= today|location= Singapore|access-date= 16 June 2022}} On 9 January 2018, the National Environment Agency announced that the new funeral parlour would begin construction in the second half of 2021, and would be operational by 2024.{{cite news |last= Au-Yong|first= Rachel|date= 10 January 2018|title= New funeral parlour to replace Mount Vernon Columbarium|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-funeral-parlour-to-replace-mount-vernon-columbarium|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}}{{cite news |last= Mokhtar|first= Faris|date= 9 January 2018|title= Time runs out for Mount Vernon funeral parlours in Sept; new complex to be built in 2024|url= https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/funeral-parlours-mount-vernon-move-sept-new-parlour-be-built-2021|work= today|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}}{{cite news |last= Au-Yong|first= Rachel|date= 14 January 2018|title= New funeral parlour complex to replace Mount Vernon to be smaller with more wake halls|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-funeral-parlour-complex-to-replace-mount-vernon-to-be-smaller-with-more-wake-halls|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}} The columbarium would close in September, causing there to be twenty percent fewer funeral halls available in Singapore.{{cite news |last= Au-Yong|first= Rachel|date= 14 January 2018|title= Closure of Mount Vernon will leave Singapore with 20 per cent fewer funeral halls|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/closure-of-mount-vernon-will-leave-singapore-with-20-per-cent-fewer-funeral-halls|work= The Straits Times|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}} The completion date of the new funeral parlour complex was later delayed to 2025.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= 3 November 2020|title= Design consultancy tender awarded for new funeral parlour complex in Bidadari|url= https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/bidadari-funeral-parlour-mount-vernon-tender-laud-architects-520376|work= Channel NewsAsia|location= Singapore|access-date= 17 June 2022}}

Mount Vernon Columbarium closed on 30 September 2018.

{{Reflist}}

Category:Columbaria in Singapore

Category:Crematoria in Asia

Category:1962 establishments in Singapore

Category:2018 disestablishments in Singapore