What to Do When Someone Dies in Singapore

The hours after a death can feel overwhelming. This guide sets out the practical steps in a simple order. Procedures can change, so confirm the current details with the hospital, a licensed funeral director, or the relevant government agency.

Get the death certified

A doctor must certify the death. If the person dies in hospital, the hospital handles this. If the death happens at home and the cause is known, a general practitioner or a doctor can certify it. If the death is sudden, unexpected, or of unknown cause, call the police, as the case may need to be referred to a coroner.

The death certificate

In Singapore, death registration is now largely digital. Once a death is certified, a Digital Death Certificate is issued, which the family can access online. A funeral director can guide you through obtaining and using it for the arrangements that follow.

Engage a funeral director

A licensed funeral director will manage most of the practical work, including collection of the body, the casket, the wake, religious rites, and the cremation or burial. Choosing one early takes a great weight off the family. Ask for an itemised quotation before you commit.

Arrange the wake and funeral

Decide on the rites to be observed, the venue and length of the wake, and whether there will be a cremation or burial. Prepare an obituary so that friends, neighbours, and colleagues can be informed and can attend to pay their respects.

Notify others and settle affairs

In the days that follow, inform the wider family, the person's employer, and close friends. Later, there will be matters such as bank accounts, insurance, and the estate to settle. These can wait until after the funeral. In the first days, care for one another comes first.