Paying respects during Qing Ming? Avoid these peak dates...

Those planning to pay their respects at cemeteries and columbaria this Qing Ming season should avoid visiting on peak days if possible.

Large crowds are expected on 13 key dates, including Hari Raya Puasa (March 31) and the Good Friday weekend (April 18 to 20), the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an advisory on Feb 25.

The peak dates are:

• March 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31
• April 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20

As Qing Ming is an important period for remembrance to the Chinese, NEA said all government-managed cemeteries and columbaria - Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun columbaria - will be open 24 hours from March 22 to April 20.

But the Garden of Peace, a memorial park in Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, will be closed to visitors on the 13 peak days. This is to allow privacy to next-of-kin who have successfully applied to scatter ashes in the park during this period.

The agency also advised people to plan visits in advance, and to check the detailed advisories for each location on the NEA website. Visitors are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus services, which will be made available on the 13 peak days, or use public transport services for both Choa Chu Kang and Mandai columbaria. The pick-up point for shuttle bus services to Choa Chu Kang Columbarium has been changed to Yew Tee MRT Station. For Mandai Columbarium, the pick-up point remains at Khatib MRT Station.

Those who plan to drive and park in Mandai Columbarium will need to book an e-appointment when visiting between 6am and 6pm from March 22 to April 20.

During this period, drivers visiting Choa Chu Kang Columbarium will also need e-appointments between 6am and 4pm on weekends, public holidays and April 4, the day of Qing Ming.

Drivers who are dropping off passengers, however, will not need to do so.

E-appointment slots, in two-hour intervals, will be available for booking from 10am on 10 March at go.gov.sg/qm2025vehicleappt

Visitors must show proof of their successful e-appointment bookings before they can park in these two columbaria during the stipulated periods, NEA said, adding that visitors should book in advance as slots are limited.

It also advised drivers to check the latest traffic conditions before visiting, which can be found at www.nea.gov.sg/qingming2025.

As there are ongoing works at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium, NEA said visitors should keep out of the hoarded areas.

All occupied niches in columbarium will still be accessible, it added.

To keep all memorial premises safe and clean, visitors are reminded to burn joss paper in limited quantities, use burners and containers, and ensure that lit candles and joss sticks are not left unattended.

Food offerings and litter should also be cleared to prevent mosquito breeding and rat infestations.

All offerings left unattended will be disposed of to minimise inconvenience to other visitors, the advisory said, adding that visitors should avoid consuming food and drinks in the columbaria. Pets also should not be brought into the columbaria.

"Visitors to the cemetery and columbaria should refrain from offering any forms of gratification, including 'red packets', to all staff working at these premises," the agency said.