When your loved one passes on, there are a number of matters you will be attending to. These steps detail what happens after a death
When your loved one passes on, there are a number of matters you will be attending to. A funeral in the style that your loved one wanted is an important event for the family to grieve over their loss.
After your loved one’s life comes to an end, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD) to register the death within 24 hours.
The CCOD will be issued by a doctor, either at the hospital, or a doctor who visits your home if death occurs at home.
Doctors can issue a CCOD if they know the cause of death, and the death is natural.
If the cause of death cannot be identified or unnatural deaths
Should this occur, the doctor will refer the matter to the police. Even if the death occurred in the hospital, it will also be referred to the police if death was directly or indirectly caused by unnatural events, eg surgical complications, a fall before admission, etc.
If the police is involved, the body will be sent to the Mortuary@HSA (Block 9, Singapore General Hospital). The next-of-kin will need to go to the mortuary to identify the body.
Documents to bring to the mortuary include:
Informant’s identification papers, eg NRIC/ Passport
Deceased’s identification papers, eg NRIC/ Passport/ Birth Certificate
All of the deceased’s medical documents and medicine taken
The coroner will review the case and determine if an autopsy is required. The next-of-kin will be informed of the coroner’s decision and when they may collect the body.
Death registration can be done at the following places:
At the Government/ Government Restructured Hospital (if death occurred there)
Any Neighbourhood Police Centre/ Police Divisional Headquarters (all other deaths)
Citizen Services Centre (all other deaths)
Registry of Births & Deaths
3rd floor, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road
Singapore 208718
Tel: 63916100
Opening Hours: 8am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday); 8am to 12.30pm (Saturday)
Please note that you do not need to register the death separately if the body is referred to the Mortuary@HSA, as death will be registered at there.
Upon registration, you will be able to collect the Death Certificate. The Death Certificate is required to:
Place an obituary in the papers
Engage a funeral director
Make arrangements for cremation or burial
Visit the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s
website for more information about registering a death. If a death occurred overseas, read ICA's write-up on
Death that Occurred Overseas for more information.
Many people choose to place an obituary in the newspapers. This is a personal choice and it is up to you how you would like to place an obituary.
This link gives you the contact details of local newspapers where you can place a one.
Funeral wakes are opportunities for family, friends and acquaintances to pay their respects to the deceased. You can choose to have the wake at your own home, or at the funeral parlour.
You could also hold the wake at the void deck. Permissions required include:
You can book a date and time for cremation or burial at the relevant booking office. Your funeral director can also help you to make the booking.
You will need the following documents:
NRIC of the applicant and next-of-kin
Original Death Certificate (which contains the Permit to Bury/Cremate)
When you prepare for your loved one’s cremation, please note that if you choose to place any valuable items in the coffin, you will not be able to get them back due to the high heat of cremation.
Every family has its own preferences for the ashes of the deceased. Perhaps your loved one has given you instructions about what to do with the ashes.
There are normally two options:
1. Storing the ashes
You can store the ashes at home
You can store the ashes in a columbarium (there are 3 government-managed columbaria and several private columbaria in Singapore). To book a niche (a place to store the ashes), you will need to bring your NRIC and the original Death Certificate. You can book a niche in a government-managed columbarium online, or contact a private columbarium directly.
2. Scattering the ashes at sea
You can scatter the ashes at sea, at the approved site 1.5 nautical miles (2.8km) south of Pulau Semakau. This can be done daily, from 7am to 7pm. Please contact the Port Marine Safety Control Centre at 6325 2488 for assistance on scattering the ashes at sea.
This article was last reviewed on 21 Dec 2021
Related Articles
Related Stories
A Pressure Injury resource for both patients and caregivers alike. Learn more about pressure injuries, prevention measures and how to better manage them.
Come explore 3 easy-to-remember ways to manage diabetes and lead a fulfilling life.
Establishing convenient and conducive environments for workers to achieve healthier lifestyles.
Browse Live Healthy