
SINGAPORE will soon be home to Asia's largest 'six star' columbarium, according to a Malaysian company which is investing $50 million to renovate an existing facility in Choa Chu Kang.
The facility, Nirvana Memorial Singapore, will have space for up to 15,000 single-urn lots, spread across six suites, in the first phase of its development. The initial phase of the 11,200 sq m building will be completed at the end of next month.
Upon completion of the third and final phase in 2011, Nirvana Memorial will be able to accommodate as many as 40,000 niches. 'Six star' columbaria feature comfortable facilities for visitors.

It will also have a few VIP rooms, eight prayer rooms, spacious walkways, a customer service reception area and even a cafe. The rooms which house the niches are carpeted, with ample lounge space and couches for visitors to rest.
Malaysia-listed NV Multi Corp, which has over 20 years of experience in bereavement care services, acquired the building - formerly known as the Buddhist An Le Columbarium - and leasehold land for $13.5 million last year. It is spending another $35 million to refurbish it.
The land has a 30-year lease with the option to renew for another 30 years.
'The response has been very good so far...we have been getting a lot of inquiries,' said NV Multi Corp founder and chief executive Kong Hon Kong.
The group has appointed about 80 distributing agents to help market its business and is collaborating with about 30 casket companies in Singapore. It costs from $2,988 for a single-urn lot to $26,888 for a double-urn compartment, depending on the location of the unit, 'just like property', said Mr Kong.