First hours
What to do when someone dies in Singapore
By Shanathan Yeo · Updated · 7 min read
When someone you love dies, there are only a few things that must happen straight away. Everything else can wait until you've had time to breathe. Here they are, in order.
1. Have the death certified
In hospital, the doctor certifies the death and staff give you the digital death certificate number.
At home, contact the family doctor who treated your loved one. If they aren't available, call a neighbourhood doctor who can make a house call. If no doctor can certify the death, the doctor or you can call the police, and your loved one will be taken to the mortuary at HSA. The police will tell the family when to attend, usually the next day.
The mortuary is at Block 9, Singapore General Hospital, open 8am to 4.30pm on weekdays and 8am to 12.30pm on weekends and public holidays. Bring your loved one's medical documents and medicine, and identification papers for both your loved one and the person informing.
2. Download the digital death certificate
Once a doctor certifies the death, the next-of-kin receives a digital death certificate number. You have up to 30 days to download the certificate through LifeSG or ICA. You'll need it for the funeral, banks, insurers and CPF.
3. Contact a funeral director
A funeral director brings your loved one into their care, prepares them, and sets up the wake. If your family already has a pre-planned package, call the provider on it. If not, we can help you arrange a Nirvana funeral service, any hour.
You'll also decide where the wake will be and how long it lasts. Wakes are usually held at a funeral parlour, an HDB void deck or at home. A void deck or pavilion needs a permit from your Town Council, and using nearby parking lots needs HDB's approval, so ask your funeral director to check these early.
4. Apply for the permit to cremate or bury
A Permit to Bury or Cremate is needed before the funeral can go ahead. With the digital death certificate, the next-of-kin can apply on NEA's ePortal, or authorise the funeral director to apply for you, which most families do.
Singapore has two government crematoria, Mandai and Mandai North, and two private ones. To book a government crematorium you'll need the death certificate, the permit, and identification for the next-of-kin and the applicant. If the applicant isn't next-of-kin, they'll also need a letter of authorisation.
5. After the funeral
- Choose where the ashes will rest: a government niche, a private columbarium such as Nirvana, or scattering at sea or inland.
- Plan the 49-day prayers if your family observes them.
- Tell the banks and insurers, cancel GIRO payments, utilities and other bills, and check for outstanding debts such as credit cards.
- Begin probate or letters of administration if needed.
- You don't need to report the death to the CPF Board if your loved one was a citizen or PR, as it will be told directly. Savings go to anyone named in a CPF nomination; otherwise they go to the Public Trustee to distribute.
If you need someone to talk to
Grief can be heavy, and you don't have to carry it alone. Family Service Centres can help (1800 838 0100), and Samaritans of Singapore has a 24-hour line (1800 221 4444).
If you'd like someone to walk you through any of this, message us. There's no charge for advice.