In the Classified Section under Notices - a Land Transport Authority (LTA) - Notice of Exhumation caught my eye. The content informed that unidentified coffins were uncovered during an ongoing construction near Bukit Timah Road.
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| Notice of Exhumation - Unidentified Coffins near Bukit Timah (source: The Straits Times, 3 December 2025) |
Based on the location found, it is very likely the Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah. This Christian Cemetery was opened for burials after the "Old Christian Cemetery" in Fort Canning was closed for burials. Using the NUS Historical Maps of Singapore reinforces my theory as you can see the overlay between today's map vs a map from 1932.
The site that the unidentified coffin was found is likely the location were LTA is digging for the North South Corridor, which is on the grounds of the former Kampong Java Park. (Refer to the red dot), which i learn subsequently is likely to be on the Catholic Section of the Bukit Timah Christian Cemetery.
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| Overlay of 2025 map and 1932 map to show the area was once a Christian Cemetery (source: Historical maps of Singapore) |
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| 1893 map showing where the Catholic vs the Protestant Section in the Christian Cemetery (Source: National Archives Singapore) |
[Update: 5 Dec 2025]
Journalist from Mothership and AsiaOne contacted me to get more insights after i shared my article on Facebook (Heritage Singapore - Bukit Brown)
The articles below:
4 unidentified coffins unearthed at construction site behind KKH, LTA looking for next-of-kin. (2025, December 5). Gawain Pek. Mothership. (Last accessed - 5 December 2025)
Unidentified coffins found near KKH, LTA appeals for next of kin. (2025, December 5). Ching Shi Jie. AsiaOne. (Last accessed - 5 December 2025).
Thanks to both articles, i hope this appeal reaches out to a larger audience and a Christian Organisation (be it the Catholic or Protestant Church) will step in and save the remains from this 4 unidentified coffins (this info is also new to me and i thank Mothership for asking LTA on this) and give them a proper Christian burial.
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| Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah (source: National Archives Singapore) |
The Royal Airforce Aerial Photograph gives us an idea on how the Bukit Timah Christian Cemetery would have look like in the past before it was cleared. Visible on the bottom left is the PUB Bukit Timah Waterworks (written as Filter Beds).
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| Aerial Photograph of the Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah - 1946 (source: National Archives Singapore) |
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| Aerial Photograph of the Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah (source: National Archives Singapore) |
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| Map of the Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah (source: National Archives of Singapore) |
Further Research
The contents of file "Index of Burials at Old Christian Cemetery (Bukit Timah)" covering the period 1901-1938 is a list of names of individuals who were buried at the cemetery. The list contains the names of the deceased individual (either in full or surname followed by initials), the date of internment, the grave number, and a book page reference (source unknown). The list is arranged alphabetically - the first page containing names or surnames starting with A and the last page starting with Z. The names on each page are displayed chronologically, showing the earliest burial date at the top of the page and the latest burial date in the last page of the series.
While researching on burials at the Christian Cemetery at Bukit Timah, burial records existed from 1901 - 1938. The nugget i got from there was that burials were still being done after 1938. The latest entry in the file is found on page 76 where the individual was buried on 29/11/1961.
From the old newspaper archives i found the name of that person. Brother Remigius Fintan who was on the staff of St. Patrick's school for 19 years passed away on 29 November 1961. (This matches exactly the date mentioned on the description of the Index of Burials Bukit Timah Cemetery. The cortege left from St. Patrick's School for the Holy Family Church and later for Bukit Brown Cemeter
[24 November 1952] Brother Dositheus Regis, a former Director of the St. Michael's Institution, Ipoh and St. George's Institution Taping has passed away in Singapore. He was buried in Bukit Timah Cemetery on 23 November 1952. Bro. Regis spent 30 years in Malaya and 10 in Hong Kong and Indo-China.
My take-away
The discovery of unidentified coffins serves as a poignant reminder of Singapore's deep and rich heritage, prompting reflection on the untold stories and historical layers beneath the modern city.
They underscore the continuous narrative of a society built by generations, offering a tangible connection to the early pioneers and the historical foundations of Singapore. This connection not only adds depth to the national story but also emphasizes the importance of conservation and documentation in honoring the pioneers lives that contributed to the country's development.
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