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PHASE 2 “HEIGHTENED ALERT”
NEA AND MPA SAFE DISTANCING MEASURES AT FUNERALS INCLUDING WAKE SPACES, CREAMTORIUM , CEMETERY AND ASH SCATTERING AT SEA  (UPDATED 06 August 2021)

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIALS

As announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, on  10 August  2021, there will be a gradual lifting of measures of activities which is a calibrated and careful move.  Even as we cross this milestone, we must continue to remain vigilant in the coming months and continue to adhere to the safe management measures to avoid uncontrolled resurgence of cases which could slow or even reverse our progress.  However, activities that take place should continue to limit close contact among individuals, while maintaining hygiene and safe management principles.
The goal is to ensure that efforts taken during the circuit breaker period  are sustained.

1. Note that vulnerable persons such as the elderly should avoid attending the funeral services / wake for the protection of their own health.
2. ALL who attend funeral and wakes are advised to wear a mask. The reusable mask issued by the Government for all residents may be worn for this purpose.
3. Funeral directors, funeral parlor operators and families are urged to comply with the measures. Anyone who fails to comply with Regulation 13B of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 may face a fine of up to SGD 10,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months or both for the first offence. For second and subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to SGD 20,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

A. FUNERAL WAKES

1. Should NOT involve more than 30 persons (fewer than 30 if the venue has limited space to ensure safe capacity of the said premises) at any one time (excluding religious workers and other supporting staff, which must be kept to a minimum and limited to essential activities only)
2. Attendance should be limited to family members as far as possible.
3. Where seating at a table is provided, every chair for each table must be placed at least one metre away from any other chair for another table at all times. Tables and chairs must be arranged such that each table can accommodate not more than 5 individuals seated at the table or not more than 5 individuals in each group separated by space of at least one metre. There should be no mixing between groups. If seats are fixed to the floor, alternate seats must be demarcated as “seats not to be occupied”.
4. Attendees for the foot procession on funeral day should be kept to 30 or fewer and, limited to family members are far as possible.
5. At ALL times, every individual must keep a distance of at least one (1) metre from any other individual, including but not limited to individuals in queues, if any. All attendees at funeral wakes and foot processions must wear a mask and maintain a distance of at least one metre away from any other individual at all times. Where it is not feasible to apply one metre safe distancing between individuals, this one metre requirement can instead be enforced between groups, with each group made up of not more than 5 persons, and with no mixing between groups.  Other safe management measures must also be in place.
6. NO food and drinks is allowed, whether individually packed or served by the staff at the funeral wakes.

B. CREMATION SERVICES

1. Attendees should be kept to 30 or fewer and, limited to family members are far as possible.
2. Live band groups, live singing groups, hearse escort personnel are NOT deemed as essential and are NOT allowed to accompany the funeral party.
3. Entry restriction to Mandai Crematorium will be imposed at the main gate. NEA will issue 30 passes for each cremation application. Only those with valid NEA-issued passes will be allowed into the main gate of the complex.
4. It is MANDATORY for face masks to be worn at ALL times.
5. ALL attendees are to maintain at least one (1) metre distance from one another. Where it is not feasible to apply one metre safe distancing between individuals, this one metre requirement can instead be enforced between groups, with each group made up of not more than 5 persons, and with no mixing between groups. Other safe management measures must also be in place.
6. Attendees of funeral events should minimise their interaction with fellow attendees and leave the premise immediately after the event.
7. NO buffet set-up or post-event reception with food and drinks is allowed.

C.  LAND BURIAL SERVICES

1. Burials at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, attendees are to abide by safe distancing measures.
2. Live band groups, live singing groups, hearse escort personnel are NOT deemed as essential and are NOT allowed to accompany the funeral party.
3. Entry restriction to Choa Chu Kang Cemetery will be imposed. NEA will issue 30 passes for each burial application. Only persons with passes will be allowed at the burial block.
4. It is MANDATORY for face masks to be worn at ALL times.
5. ALL attendees are to maintain at least one (1) metre distance from one another. Where it is not feasible to apply one metre safe distancing between individuals, this one metre requirement can instead be enforced between groups, with each group made up of not more than 5 persons, and with no mixing between groups. Other safe management measures must also be in place.
6. Attendees of burials should minimise their interactions with fellow attendees and leave the premise immediately after the event.
7. NO buffet set-up or post-event reception with food and drinks is allowed.

D. ASH SCATTERING  AT SEA 

1. Passengers are to abide by safe distancing measures.
2. Attendees onboard ferry/boat for ash scattering at sea will be limited to no more than 10 persons (excluding master/crew employed to operate the craft, religious and funeral staff).
3. There can be up to 2 groups, and  the size of each group is subject to the prevailing restriction on group size (i.e. 5 per group).
4. It is MANDATORY for face masks to be worn at ALL times.
5. NO intermingling between groups is allowed.
6. NO food and drinks is allowed.
7. NO live music is allowed.

TRP COVID-19 SAFE DISTANCING MEASURES

At TRP, inline with the government’s regulation and advisory, we have also implemented the following measures at the funeral wakes.  We do apologise if there is any inconvenience caused:

• Temperature Screening and recording at wake locations as well as at
  the crematorium
• Contact tracing via SafeEntry at wake location(s)
• Table and Seating Arrangements at wake location(s)
• Controlled entry and exits at wake locations

Other additional measures that TRP has undertaken is the disinfecting of its equipment.