NEA advises public about ’freelance’ grave contractors

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be distributing a pamphlet to those who visit the Chua Chu Kang cemetery, containing information about engaging the services of ’freelance contractors’ to maintain graves.

NEA has received feedback on such ’garderners’ who approach family members, who are visiting the graveyard during the Qing Ming festival.

During the festival, which starts next month, relatives visit the cemeteries of their loved ones to pay their respects.

NEA said it does offer regular grass—cutting services at cemeteries, but NEA workers do not maintain carpet grass and flowering plants on the graves.

These services need to be arranged by relatives of the deceased, and NEA added that relatives can engage freelance gardeners or tombstone contractors to do this.

NEA said those who have not made prior arrangement to engage the services of any contractor, should not pay any party that claims to have maintained the graves.

A Police Command Post will be set up during the Qing Ming period to investigate and facilitate any police case reported.