High-Rise Dying

Home on the Dot

In land-scarce Singapore, the living compete with the dead for space. The result is both high-rise living and high-rise dying. In this episode, student-producer Jia Han examines the columbarium, Singapore’s high-rise solution for housing the cremated remains of its dead. He charts the origins of columbaria in Singapore and shares a visit to the columbarium with his family, emphasizing the role of the columbaria in revitalising family ties and reproducing family gatherings that previously took place at home. Finally, he sits down with Mr. Bernard Chen, a funeral director, to discuss death and negative perceptions towards it within Singapore. He encourages everyone to have an open, honest discussion about death, as this is the only way for both individuals and the nation to plan appropriately for it.