1. Certify the Cause of Death
- If Death Occurs at Home:
- Contact a doctor to certify the death. This can be your family doctor or a general practitioner who makes house calls. The doctor will issue a Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD) if the cause is natural.
- If Death Occurs in a Hospital:
- The attending doctor will certify the death and issue the CCOD. You can obtain this from the hospital staff.
- If the Cause of Death is Uncertain or Unnatural:
- The body will be referred to the police and sent to Mortuary@HSA (Block 9, Singapore General Hospital) for further investigation. The next-of-kin will need to identify the body and may be required to provide relevant medical documents.
2. Register the Death
- As of 29 May 2022, deaths are automatically registered once a doctor certifies the death online. The next-of-kin will receive the Death Certificate Number and can download the digital death certificate from the My Legacy portal.
3. Engage a Funeral Director
- A funeral director can assist with:
- Collection of the body from the place of death.
- Embalming services, if required.
- Arranging the wake and funeral services.
- You can arrange a funeral service with us. We are the leading licensed funeral director in Singapore, with over 10 years of experience and 300 Google reviews.
4. Arrange the Wake and Funeral
- Decide on the Venue:
- Options include the family home, HDB void deck, funeral parlour, or place of worship.
- Obtain Necessary Permits:
- For wakes at HDB void decks, obtain a permit from the respective Town Council.
- For wakes at landed properties extending onto public roads, apply for a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) from the Singapore Land Authority.
- Determine the Duration:
- Funeral wakes typically last between three to seven days, depending on religious and cultural practices.
5. Decide on Burial or Cremation
- Cremation:
- Cremations are conducted at government-managed facilities like Mandai Crematorium or private ones such as Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
- Booking can be done online or through your funeral director.
- Burial:
- Due to limited land, burial plots in Singapore are offered on a lease term, typically 15 years.
- After the lease term, exhumation is required, and remains are either cremated or re-interred. Homage
6. Obtain the Permit to Bury or Cremate
- Apply for the permit through the National Environment Agency’s e-Services website or with assistance from your funeral director.
7. Place an Obituary (Optional)
- To inform extended family and friends, you may place an obituary in local newspapers. Prepare the original death certificate and identification documents of the person placing the obituary. Costs vary depending on the publication and size of the notice.
8. Manage Post-Death Matters
- Inform Relevant Parties:
- Banks: Notify to freeze accounts and manage any standing instructions.
- Insurance Companies: File claims for any life insurance policies.
- Employers: Settle any outstanding salaries or benefits.
- Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board: CPF savings will be distributed to nominated beneficiaries or handled by the Public Trustee if no nomination exists.
- Gather Important Documents:
- Death certificate.
- Marriage certificate.
- Birth certificates of the deceased’s children.
- Identification documents of all parties involved.
- Bank account information.
9. Probate and Estate Administration
- If a Will Exists:
- The executor named in the will should apply for a Grant of Probate to administer the estate.
- If No Will Exists:
- A next-of-kin can apply for Letters of Administration to manage and distribute the estate according to intestacy laws.
10. Seek Support
- Grieving is a natural process. Consider reaching out to support groups or counsellors to help cope with the loss.
Allow Yourself to Grieve
Losing a parent is deeply painful, and the many necessary arrangements can feel overwhelming, leaving little space to grieve. If the weight of managing these responsibilities becomes too much, consider seeking grief counselling. It can provide support in working through complex emotions and give you the time and space needed to heal.
Understanding the steps to take when a parent passes can ease some of the burden. Educate yourself in advance to reduce the stress, and remember to be patient with yourself, completing each task one step at a time. We’re here to support you—download our checklist today and find peace of mind, knowing that everything will be handled with care
