What To Do When Someone Passes Away in Singapore

When someone passes away in Singapore, families usually need to confirm the death, obtain a Certificate of Cause of Death, and begin basic funeral planning. These early steps allow the family to arrange the wake, engage a funeral service provider, and prepare for funeral rites and mourning traditions.

Understanding the process can help families make calm and informed decisions during a difficult time.

Confirm the death

A doctor must verify the death and issue the Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD).

Register the death

Deaths in Singapore are registered digitally, and families can download the digital death certificate through the My Legacy portal.

Plan the funeral arrangements

Families may decide whether to hold a funeral wake or proceed with a direct cremation.

Engage a funeral service provider

Funeral service providers assist with body collection, wake arrangements, and funeral logistics.

Observe cultural traditions

After the funeral, families may follow mourning practices such as the 7th day, 49th day, and other remembrance milestones.

Practices and procedures may vary depending on family traditions, religious customs, and circumstances surrounding the passing.

The first step after a person passes away is to have the death confirmed by a doctor.

If the death occurs in a hospital, the attending doctor will verify the passing and issue a Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD).

If the death occurs at home, families may contact:

• the hospital that previously treated the patient, if home passing arrangements were discussed, or
• a funeral service provider who can arrange for an on-site doctor.

Before the doctor arrives, it is helpful to prepare:

• the deceased's NRIC or identification card
• hospital records or medical reports
• medications taken by the deceased

These documents help the doctor verify the cause of death when issuing the certificate.

In Singapore, deaths are registered digitally.

Families can obtain the digital death certificate through the government portal:

https://mylegacy.life.gov.sg/

If the death occurs at home, the attending doctor or medical service may assist with the registration process.

Many guides recommend contacting a funeral service provider immediately. However, it can be helpful for families to first decide on a few basic details before requesting quotations.

These include:

Funeral type

• Funeral wake with ceremonies
• Direct cremation without a wake

Wake duration

Commonly 1, 3, or 5 days.

Wake location

Possible locations include:

• HDB void decks
• multi-purpose halls
• funeral parlours
• private residences

Religion or cultural rites

Examples include Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, or non-religious services.

Having a simple description such as:

"3-day Buddhist funeral wake at an HDB void deck"

helps funeral service providers provide clearer quotations.

Once the basic funeral arrangement is decided, families can contact funeral service providers for consultation and quotations.

Most funeral companies in Singapore offer:

• funeral planning consultations
• package quotations
• explanations of the rituals involved

Families may consult several providers before confirming arrangements.

Hospitals usually allow sufficient time for families to make funeral arrangements.

Funeral planning usually involves several components.

Understanding these categories can help families avoid unexpected costs.

Possible wake locations include:

• funeral parlours
• HDB void decks
• multi-purpose halls
• private properties

Some town councils may charge a booking fee for void deck usage.

If the wake is held outdoors, tentage services may include:

• canopy tents
• tables and chairs
• lighting
• fans
• carpeting

Private property wakes may require additional tentage setup.

The memorial altar usually includes:

• the deceased's portrait
• floral arrangements
• backdrop setup
• incense and candles

These may include:

• condolence books
• funeral notices
• donation boxes

Undertaker services often include:

• embalming
• body preparation and dressing
• casket provision
• funeral staff support

On the final day, arrangements may include:

• hearse transport
• family transport buses
• ceremonial items
• small remembrance gifts for guests

Common items include:

• drinks
• snacks
• food catering
• chiller boxes
• portable toilets (for larger wakes)

Depending on religious tradition, this may include:

• chanting or prayer services
• ceremonial incense
• candles
• ancestral tablets
• paper offerings

Families must decide whether the deceased will be cremated or buried.

Options may include:

• columbarium placement
• sea burial
• urn selection and niche inscription

Burial involves additional considerations such as:

• burial plot availability
• gravestone construction
• exhumation after the standard burial tenure

After the funeral, many families continue remembrance practices.

In Chinese traditions, families may set up a temporary altar during the first 49 days (安靈) and later establish a permanent ancestral tablet.

Compass provides guides explaining these traditions, including:

• Chinese Funeral Traditions in Singapore
• Chinese Mourning Period
• 7th Day After Death
• 49th Day After Death
• 100th Day After Death
• 1 Year Death Anniversary
• 3rd Year Death Anniversary

These milestones form part of the traditional mourning timeline observed by many families.

Before the funeral wake begins, families may need to prepare several items.

A photograph of the deceased is typically enlarged to create the funeral portrait displayed at the altar.

Funeral service providers often assist with:

• photo enlargement
• background adjustments
• cropping images from existing photos

Families may prepare a set of clothing for the deceased to wear during the wake.

Common items include:

• shirt or blouse
• pants or skirt
• underwear
• socks
• shoes
• dentures if applicable

These items are provided to the embalmer or undertaker during body preparation.

Many families contact a funeral service provider early, but it can help to first decide on basic funeral details such as the wake location and number of days.

Yes. If a person passes away at home, a doctor must still confirm the death and issue the Certificate of Cause of Death.

After the funeral, families may continue remembrance rituals or mourning milestones depending on cultural or religious traditions.

This reference guide is part of Compass, a public information project that helps families understand funeral procedures and mourning traditions commonly observed in Singapore.

Compass provides neutral explanations of cultural practices such as the Chinese mourning period and important remembrance dates after a funeral.

• Reference Library
• Chinese Funeral Traditions in Singapore
• Chinese Mourning Period
• 49th Day After Death

The passing of a loved one can be overwhelming. Understanding the steps involved in funeral arrangements can help families make calm and thoughtful decisions during this difficult time.