Firefighter Kenneth Tay cremated after making 'the ultimate sacrifice'

SCDF honours officer in a final farewell as bugle call signals end of his duty to nation

- Kyleen Cabael, Christie Chiu, Christine Tan, Andrew Wong and David Sun

About 50 family members accompanied the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of Captain Kenneth Tay Xue Qin as it left his wake in Telok Blangah for his cremation on May 20.

Mariah Carey's Hero was played as the hearse headed for Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bright Hill, where CPT Tay's ceremonial funeral was held.

CPT Tay, 30, died while fighting a fire on board a ship on May 16.

After his body arrived in Bright Hill at 9.15am, his casket was lifted by eight officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force's Marine Division, the 1st SCDF Division, and coursemates from CPT Tay's 17th Rota Commander Course.

The pallbearers moved the casket onto a carriage, which was linked to a Light Fire Attack Vehicle, also known as the Red Rhino, for the funeral procession towards the crematorium.

The procession was supported by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Band, which played the traditional funeral song, Dead March, from Handel's Saul.

An escort party of 16 SCDF officers followed the hearse as it drove past another 150 SCDF officers dressed in the SCDF No. 4 uniform, each sporting a black armband.

The officers were from across all SCDF divisions, and they lined the road leading to the crematorium hall.

Several SCDF personnel in ceremonial wear donned armbands with the word "marine" on them. Some officers cried as the body entered the crematorium.