Ceremonial funeral held for fallen SCDF firefighter remembered for selflessness, passion for work

SINGAPORE: A ceremonial funeral was held on Monday morning (May 20) for Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin, who died while fighting a fire on a ship last week.

SCDF officers saluted as the hearse carrying CPT Tay’s body arrived at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery at about 9.15am. The hearse travelled from Telok Blangah, where his wake was held.

Hero, a song by Mariah Carey, was played as the hearse reached the monastery.

The casket, which was draped with a State Flag, was transferred to a carriage towed by a Light Fire Attack Vehicle or Red Rhino.

With the Singapore Police Force band playing, the ceremonial funeral procession toward the crematorium began.

The Red Rhino - decorated with black ribbon - drove behind the band, and an escort party including officers from the Marine Division followed.

Around 150 officers from various SCDF divisions lined the path toward the crematorium, saluting as the carriage passed.

CPT Tay’s family members and friends gathered at the top of the slope to receive the casket outside the crematorium. Some looked visibly emotional and others wiped tears from their eyes.

His parents held onto each other, and his father linked arms with Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim as they watched the pallbearers carry the casket out from the carriage.

The eight pallbearers comprised CPT Tay's colleagues and coursemates.

The mourners entered the crematorium behind the casket, where wreaths were laid by SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap and commanders from the Marine Division and West Coast Marine Fire Station.

SCDF Commissioner Yap presented the state flag and a peak cap to the late CPT Tay's parents, before they left the crematorium in line with Chinese traditions, where parents cannot attend funerals of their own children.

Officers stood at attention and saluted as a bugle call was sounded, followed by a minute of silence.

It began to drizzle as religious rites were performed for CPT Tay.

SCDF said about 200 officers witnessed the ceremonial funeral.

CPT Tay, 30, made the "ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation", said SCDF. 

He died in the early hours of May 16 while responding to a fire that broke out in the engine room of a China-flagged tanker anchored in Singapore waters.

He lost consciousness on board the ship and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"LAST CALL" CEREMONY

Earlier on Monday morning, officers from the SCDF honoured CPT Tay with a ceremonial last call, which was moved indoors due to the rain.

A “last fire call" is symbolised by the sounding of fire call alarms across SCDF’s 23 fire stations, including its headquarters, division headquarters and Civil Defence Academy. 

A minute of silence was held after the last fire call, and officers at other units across the island also observed the ceremony.

In a short speech at the headquarters, SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap offered his condolences to CPT Tay’s family, friends and loved ones. 

“We will remember CPT Kenneth’s selflessness, professionalism and commitment. For those of us who knew him personally, we know how passionate he was in his work,” he added. 

CPT Tay was also a paracounsellor and an advocate for his career, said Commissioner Yap. 

“This speaks volumes of his deep passion and conviction in the mission of the life saving force.” 

The blinkers and sirens of all SCDF emergency vehicles were turned on after Commissioner Yap’s message as a mark of respect to CPT Tay, said SCDF.