Buffer plan for funeral parlour hub in Sin Ming

Buffer plan for funeral parlour hub in Sin Ming

URA is already developing an industrial estate in front of the proposed complex to serve as a buffer between the residents and the new parlour site.
Daryll Nanayakara

Tue, May 13, 2008
my paper

PLANNERS for a "funeral parlour hub" which will house all the undertakers and funeral parlours in Singapore have taken the comments of hopeful Sin Ming residents into consideration.

In response to queries from my paper, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said it has been relooking and reconsidering its original plans. Based on residents' concerns, it is already developing an industrial estate in front of the proposed complex to serve as a buffer between the residents and the new parlour site.

A URA spokesman told my paper that the tender for the industrial site was won by MV Land. URA was unable to provide further details on the development.

Last October, the URA announced the plans to construct the one-stop bereavement centre at an empty plot of land in Sin Ming Drive next to Bright Hill Temple. The plot of land is about 80m - or two minutes' walk" from the nearest residential site, which comprises several blocks of HDB flats.

Residents nearby had argued that property prices in the area would drop. The residents added that such a "funeral hub" would affect them due to the noise from funeral processions.

Property agents my paper spoke to said that property in the Sin Ming area is in demand because it is easily accessible and is relatively near the Central district.

However, they confirmed the residents' fear of a drop in property prices.

ERA agent Darren Teo, 31, who has six years' experience, said that currently, a four-room HDB flat there fetches about $280,000. He estimated a drop of about $20,000 to $30,000 should the construction of the beareavement centre go ahead.

Mr David Lim, 32, also an ERA agent, explained that some potential buyers are likely to be driven away because the site would be considered inauspicious.

Mr Lim, who has been in the line for five years, said: "Nobody would want to live next to such a building. It?s like having a funeral under your void deck every day."

Already, there are at least 12 funeral parlours in two single-storey blocks in Sin Ming Drive, but these establishments are a 10-minute walk away from the nearest housing blocks.

Another factor that make the Sin Ming estate unattractive would be the commercialisation of the proposed funeral hub.

Property agent Allen Lee, 45, who has 15 years of experience, said: "If the parlours started advertising their businesses, property prices in Sin Ming would plunge."

One resident, public relations executive Jeannette Wang, 29, said: "There are already more than enough parlours here."

However, there are space constraints at the current site.

Manager of New Indian Casket Singapore, Mr K. Rajen, 50, said: "I would support the idea because that way, things would be organised, hygienic and there would be more space." However, others said there is no need to move into one building.

Mrs Ang Yew Seng, 50, who runs Ang Yew Seng Undertakers, said: "It is cheaper here now. I believe rental at the new place would really increase by more than 100 per cent. I would rather stay here."

Fellow undertaker John Tee, 53, echoed her sentiments. The manager of Hock Hin and Eternal Life Undertakers explained: "Right now, there is no restriction and problems because it is a small community of undertakers and everyone is understanding."