SINGAPORE — Two privately-run funeral parlours in Mount Vernon will be cleared to make way for recently-announced housing developments in the new Bidadari estate.

However, the authorities will build a new and modern Mount Vernon Funeral Parlour to replace the existing two.

Niches which house ashes at the Mount Vernon Columbarium will be relocated to the three other government-managed columbaria at Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun.

In a joint news release, the National Environment Agency and the Housing and Development Board said that public announcements on the claim and registration process will be made two years before the relocation of the niches.

Mount Vernon Sanctuary, one of the operators of the two existing funeral parlours, hopes to be able to run the future funeral parlour.

Mr Ang Ziqian, managing director of Mount Vernon Sanctuary, said: “Singapore lacks places to have proper funeral service halls. And this is (a) very ideal location with greens, within a park environment and it has a lot of heritage.

“It is the first crematorium in Singapore that serves Singaporeans and their needs. (This shows that) it is necessary to continue to serve the growing population of Singaporeans.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA