Attending a Funeral
Daily Archives: May 7, 2024
Navigating Funeral Arrangements
Singapore Funeral Services – Crematorium, Columbarium and Cemeteries
Burial, Cremation & Ash Storage (Columbarium)
Mandai Government Crematorium
- Cremation Fee – $100
- Cremation Fee – Child below 10 years – $50
- Above fees are payable to National Environment Agency
Choa Chu Kang Government Columbarium / Mandai Government Columbarium
- Booking Fee of Single Niche (niche allocated by sequential basis) – $500
- Booking Fee of Single Niche (niche selected by own choice) – $750
- Booking Fee of Double Niche (niche allocated by sequential basis) – $900
- Booking Fee of Double Niche (niche selected by own choice) – $1,150
- Above fees are payable to National Environment Agency
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery – Crematorium & Columbarium
- Cremation Fee only – $321
- Urn & Ash Storage at Monastery’s Columbarium – from $1,600. For more details, please contact the Monastery directly.
- Above fees are payable to the Monastery
Tse Toh Aum Temple – Crematorium & Columbarium
- Cremation Fee with urn and ash storage – $535
- Includes porcelain urn placed together with other urns on shelves
- Above fees are payable to the Temple
Sea Burial of Ash Remains
Some bereaved families may prefer the sea as the final resting place for the cremated ash remains of their departed loved ones, instead of a columbarium.
Burial FeesChoa Chu Kang Government Cemetery
- Burial Booking Fee – Adult – $940
- Burial Booking Fee – Child below 10 years – $420
- Above fees are payable to National Environment Agency
- With effect from 1 November 1998 , the burial period for all graves will be limited to 15 years. At the end of the 15 years, the graves will be exhumed. For those whose religion permits cremation, the exhumed remains will be cremated and stored in columbaria niches. Where compulsory burial is required due to religious reasons, the remains will be re-buried in smaller individual plots.
When Death Occurs
Where did the death occur?
When death occurs at hospital or home
1. Obtain Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD)
If the death occurred in hospital
1. The attending doctor is responsible for filling in the certificate of cause of death (CCOD).
2. Obtain the completed CCOD certificate from the ward nurse by producing the deceased’s NRIC.
If the death occurred at home
1. Call the family doctor or any neighborhood doctor for a house call to certify the cause of death.To find a GP or Family Clinic near you click on Singhealth.
2. The doctor will issue the CCOD certificate on the spot if he is able to identify the cause of death.
Unnatural deaths and autopsy
If the cause of death cannot be determined, the doctor will refer the deceased to the police.
If the death occurred in hospital, it will also be referred to the police if death was directly or indirectly caused by unnatural events, such as surgical complications or a fall before admission.
In both situations, the body will be sent to Mortuary@HSA (located at Block 9 of Singapore General Hospital) in a police hearse. The next of kin needs to go to the mortuary to identify the deceased’s body.
Mortuary@HSA Address
Mortuary @ HSA
Applied Sciences Group
Health Sciences Authority
Level 1, Blk 9, SGH,
Outram Rd Singapore 169608
Mortuary @HSA Operating Hours
Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays – 8:00am to 12:30pm
What to Bring to Mortuary@HSA:
All medical documents relating to the deceased
All medicine consumed by the deceased
Identification papers of the deceased
Informant e.g. NRIC/Passport/Certificate of Registration of Birth/ FIN card
When death occurs at overseas
1. Inform MFA or the nearest Singapore Mission
If you find out about the overseas death of a relative or friend who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, you should immediately contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or the nearest Singapore mission.
MFA will help you do the following:
1. Contact the next of kin
2. Advise you on how to register the death in the foreign country
3. Provide you with a list of local undertakers
4. Advise you on the cost of a local burial/cremation, and the cost of shipping the remains and personal property back to Singapore
5. Help transfer money from family members and relatives in Singapore to pay for any costs
Click on MFA to obtain more information on Consular Services
2. Return the body to Singapore
a. Engage a Funeral Director for assistance
If you wish to bring the body back to Singapore for cremation or burial, you should engage a funeral director for assistance.
b. Apply a coffin (import) permit
If you wish to make the arrangements yourself, apply for a coffin (import) permit and a permit to cremate or bury from one of these offices:
Port Health Office:
+65-6222 2585
Airport Health Office:
+65-65432515
Permit fee is $10
You will need these documents:
The death certificate issued in the country of death (non-English documents must be accompanied by an English translation);
1. A cause of death certificate or a statutory declaration;
2. A sealing certificate for the coffin;
3. An embalming certificate (if applicable);
4. A coffin export permit from the country exporting the body; and
5. An air waybill or air consignment note (if importing by air).
Note: If the deceased is known to have suffered from HIV, you need to get written approval from the National Environment Agency’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department before you import the body
3. Register the overseas death with ICA
In person at ICA
The death will also have to be reported to Singapore’s Registry of Births & Deaths, Citizen Centre, 3rd Storey, ICA Building personally by the next-of-kin of the deceased. If the next-of-kin is unable to report the death personally at ICA Building, a letter of authorization will be required.
The Registry of Births and Death:
+65 6391 6100
Documents Required
1. Death Certificate issued by the foreign authorities (copy of English translation is required if the death certificate is in ethnic languages)
2. Coffin (Import/Export) permit
3. Permit to Bury/Cremate
4. Deceased’s Singapore identity card, passport, Citizenship Certificate (if any), and
5. Informant’s identification documents
2. Making the funeral arrangements
Upon the issuance of the Certificate of the Cause of Death, the family may contact a funeral
director to assist as follows:
(i) collection of the body from the hospital mortuary/home
(ii) send the body for embalming (if required), then dressing and making up the deceased
(iii) place the body into a casket selected by the family
(iv) deliver the body in the casket to the location of the wake
Choice of Wake Locations:
HDB Void Decks
You will need to get a permit from your Town Council.
Click on GOV – Town Councilto obtain Town council contact details.
Condominium / Private Apartments
Consult Condo Management For Funeral parlours
Landed property
If you need to use part of the road outside your house, you will need to get a permit from Land Transport Authority (LTA). Your funeral director will assist you on this.
For wakes more than 7 Days
Prior written permission will have to be sought from the National Environment Agency.
Write to:
National Environment Agency
Environmental Health Department
40 Scotts Road,
Environment Building, #21-00
Singapore 228231
Burial or Cremation
This must be decided before obtaining Death Certificate from the Police or Immigration Control Authorities (ICA)
Engage Funeral Director
Singapore Funeral & Casket Services Pte. Ltd.
(Helpline: +65 67423988)
3. The death must be registered with Police / ICA
Death must be registered with the Police or ICA before a death certificate can be issued by them
Note: The family must decide whether the body will be cremated or buried prior to registration of death, as this information is required at registration.
You can register the death at any Police Divisional Headquarters or Neighborhood Police Centres and any Neighborhood Police Posts
Registration can be done same time with arrangement of funeral matter
The Registry of Births & Deaths @ ICA Building
3rd floor, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road S(208718)
Tel: 6391 6100
Working hours: 8am – 5pm (Mon – Fri) 8am – 1pm (Sat)
4. Finding the Final Resting Place – Cremation/Burial/Sea Burial
You can seek the assistance of your Funeral Director or do so yourself as follows:
Funeral directors can assist you with the booking of the date and time for cremation or burial.
You can also obtain information from the websites below:
Cremation Details : NEA – Cremation
Burial Details : NEA – Burial
Bookings can be done through phone, Eservices – NEA or at the relevant booking office.
Required documents for application:
Original Death Certificate, which contains the Permit to Bury/Cremate
NRIC / Passport of the applicant and next-of-kin
NEA -Letter of Authorisation (if applicant is not next-of-kin)
Cremation
Government Crematorium
Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex
Bookings can be made by:
Telephone: 6554 5655
NEA – Contact Us
In person:
300 Mandai Road Singapore 779393
Mondays to Sundays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Fax: 6459 5228
Private Crematorium
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
KMSPKS- Services Crematorium
Tel: 6849 5333
88 Bright Hill Drive Singapore 574117
Fax 64592258
Mon – Sun: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Cremation Fees as according to NEA website
$300 (cremation only)
$400*(cremation + urn storage)
*Price varies, depending on choice of urns and storage location
Tse Toh Aum Temple
Tel: 6454 7666
601 Sin Ming Drive Singapore 575719
Mon – Sun: 9:00am to 3:00pm
Cremation Fees as according to NEA website
$400 (cremation only)
$500*(cremation + urn storage)
*Price varies, depending on choice of urns and storage location
Columbaria – Ash Storage
Niche Fees (For all government columbaria)
Niche (Standard) – $500*
Niche (Family) – $900*
*Niches at government columbaria are allocated sequentially. There will be a $250 selection fee
should you wish to choose a different location from that allocated.
Government-Managed Columbaria
Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex
Telephone: 6554 5655
Eservices – NEA
In person:
300 Mandia Road Singapore 779393
Mondays to Sundays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Fax: 6459 5228
Choa Chu Kang Columbarium
Telephone: 6795 9731
In person:
51 Chinese Cemetry Path 4 Singapore 698932
Monday to Fridays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturdays 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fax: 6795 0885
i) No advance booking of niches is allowed.
ii) Payment is to be made when the niche is confirmed.
iii) Documents Required:
Death Certificate (original)
Identification papers of next-of-kin e.g. NRIC, Passport etc in NEA
iv) Payment modes:
NETS (preferred)
Cash Card
Cash
Cheque (crossed and made payable to National Environment Agency)
Public Columbaria
Private Columbaria
The Beautiful Memories – Columbarium
Scattering the ashes at sea
Port Marine Safety Control Centre
6325 2488
Ashes may also be scattered at sea. The scattering of small amounts of ashes can be carried out at
the designated site located about 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km) south of Pulau Semakau. The scattering
of ashes can be conducted daily, from 0700 hrs-1900 hours. For further information on scattering of
ashes, please call the Port Marine Safety Control Centre.
Burial
Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Booking Office
Choa Chu Kang Cemetary Complex is the only cemetery in Singapore still open for burials.
Bookings can be made:
Tel: 6793 7428
In person:
910 Choa Chu Kang Road Singapore 699819
Mondays to Sundays – 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
With effect from 1 November 1998 , the burial period for all graves will be limited to 15 years. At the end of the 15 years, the graves will be exhumed. For those whose religion permits cremation, the exhumed remains will be cremated and stored in columbaria niches. Where compulsory burial is required due to religious reasons, the remains will be re-buried in smaller individual plots.
Note:
With effect from 1 November 1998 , the burial period for all graves will be limited to 15 years. At the end of the 15 years, the graves will be exhumed. For those whose religion permits cremation, the exhumed remains will be cremated and stored in columbaria niches. Where compulsory burial is required due to religious reasons, the remains will be re-buried in smaller individual plots.
5. Administration follow up after funeral
Update to Banks, Insurance Companies & others on deceased status.
Managing the estate & inheritance
Need to inform the deceased person’s bank, especially for receipts and cheques deposited automatically, or if mortgage payments and other transactions (e.g. GIRO deductions) are carried out directly from the account
Insurance Companies
Inform the deceased person’s insurance companies and other institutions. Beneficiaries may receive payouts from insurance policies, credit, trade unions or fraternal organisations, etc.
Bills & Miscellaneous Items
Check for any outstanding debts, such as credit-card bills. For bills where payment is made automatically via GIRO, inform the companies to cancel the GIRO. This is to prevent unnecessary interests charges due to non-payment
Where appropriate, contact the deceased person’s landlord, cancel utilities such as electricity and telephone connections, and other items such as safety deposit boxes etc. Give the post office a forwarding address for the deceased person’s mail.
Estate Duty
Estate Duty has been removed for deaths on and after 15 February 2008.
How to Prepare for A Funeral Service in Singapore
Here are 5 important questions that you will need to discuss with your family before the start of the funeral service.
1. What clothing should we prepare?
Prepare a presentable set of clothing for the deceased’s final service – such as a suit/dress that he/she wore for any past event. This includes the undergarments, socks, shoes, and any other accessories.
2. Which photograph should we choose?
Decide on a couple photograph to be enlarged for the funeral service. Our funeral director can assist with any necessary photoshop editing.
3. What is the preferred religious service?
Religious service plays an important role during funerals. If there was a switch in religion during the deceased’s final days, family members must decide on the preferred religious rites for the funeral service. However, some personalize request can be arrange with us in advance.
4. Where should we conduct the burial or cremation?
For Burial, only Chua Chu Kang Cemetery Complex is available in Singapore. The area is separated into different sections based on religion and Ethnics such as the Muslim cemetery, Chinese Cemetery etc.
For cremation, there are 3 options depending on the religion. For all religions, it can be done at the Mandai Government Crematorium. Whereas for Buddhists or Taoists, it can be done at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (also commonly known as Bright Hill Temple), or at Tze Toh Aum Temple.
5. Where should we keep the ashes?
Ashes may be stored at either government-managed columbaria, private temples, or churches. Our funeral directors can assist with purchasing a niche at the government columbaria.
Funeral Etiquette in Singapore
We often asked ourselves questions such as what to wear, how to behave, which topics are potentially taboo, and more. There’s a lot to think about when paying your respects to the recently deceased and speaking with family members who are grieving their loss.
Today we will be discussing what is the proper etiquette when attending a funeral wake in Singapore so you are better prepared while attending one
Dress Code When Attending Funeral Wakes
When attending a funeral wake, do dress appropriately. Be neat and conservative. Understand that your attire is a mark of respect for the deceased and the bereaving family.
Depending on the deceased’s religious beliefs and customs, you may want to avoid certain colours and prints that conflict with their traditions. If you’re unsure of what these traditions are, a safe choice would be clothes that are conservative , plain and have muted colours. To be extra safe, avoid the colours red, yellow and brown – this is especially important at Chinese funerals.
Amount of Condolence Money
There is no fix amount that should be provided. After all, your mere presence being present to offer your condolence and last respect is more than sufficient.
Paying Respects and Joss Sticks
To pay your respects, you may bow in front of the altar of the deceased. While bowing, you may offer a quiet prayer, or simply speak a few words in your heart to the deceased. This is considered to be universally acceptable behaviour, regardless of religious beliefs.
Some Chinese families may burn joss sticks for their loved ones who have recently parted. If you are accustomed to using joss sticks, a member of the family (most likely one you know) will accompany you to the altar and pass you the joss sticks, allowing you to pay respects to the deceased.
If you do not wish hold joss stick due to religious reasons, simply bowing your head with respect for a few seconds will be enough.
Condolence Contributions
You may offer a cash contribution to help the bereaving family subsidise the cost of holding the funeral. In Chinese tradition, this practice is referred to as offering “white gold” or “bai jin”.
You can make your contribution after you are done paying respects to the deceased. Don’t worry about how much money to give, as this is entirely up to you. It depends on how close you are to the bereaving family and you may contribute any amount you feel comfortable giving.
What’s the Red String for?
In most funeral wakes in Singapore, you’ll see a paper plate with peanuts, melon seeds and pieces of red threads on every table. If you’ve ever wondered what this piece of string represents, it is believed to ward off any “bad luck” that you may happen to pick up when attending the funeral wake. You may take one and tie it on your finger, but do remember to dispose it before you reach home.
