Note: If you prefer step-by-step support over phone, you may also call us for instructions on what to do if a loved one has just passed on. Our funeral director will be here to assist you.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences that anyone can go through. It is a time of immense emotional distress and grief, and it can be overwhelming to know what to do next.
If you find yourself in this situation, please know that you are not alone. After all, we have worked with hundreds of bereaved families for over a decade. At Embrace Funeral Services, we understand the pain and uncertainty that comes with the passing of a loved one, and we are here to offer our support and guidance.
In this article, we aim to provide you with the necessary information on what to do when someone passes away in Singapore, so that you can make the necessary arrangements with confidence and peace of mind.
These are some immediate steps if you have a loved one that just passed away:
- Do not attempt to move the body unless it is necessary to keep the body safe
- Cover the body with a sheet or blanket to maintain dignity and respect
- If it happened at home, call for a doctor
- If it happened in a hospital
- Call the police (if needed)
- Contact the next-of-kin
- Register the death
- Check for pertinent documents or last wishes
- Engage a funeral service provider
1. Try not to move the body unless it is necessary to keep the body safe
If the death of your loved one did not take place in a hospital, it is best to avoid moving the body unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons. This is due to the fact that the cause of death may not be immediately apparent and any attempts to move the body could potentially tamper with evidence that could otherwise be vital in determining the cause of death.
Furthermore, moving the body may cause additional trauma to your loved ones and may worsen their grief.
2a. If it happened at home, call for a doctor
What to do if someone dies at home?
If someone passes away at home, call for a doctor immediately. The doctor needs to certify the death before the authorities can issue a death certificate.
You can call your
- family doctor
- a neighbourhood GP
- or call the ambulance/police
The doctor will examine the body and determine the cause of death, which is required for legal and administrative purposes. The doctor will then certify the death online and the death will be automatically registered.
In the event that the system is inaccessible, the doctor will provide you with an official document called Confirmation of Death.
The Confirmation of Death is recognized by both the National Environmental Agency and Town Councils when making applications related to funerals, burial or cremation.
It is important to note that the doctor should be contacted as soon as possible, as there is a legal requirement for the certification of the death to be done within 24 hours. Delay in calling the doctor could result in further complications and legal implications.
2b. If it happened in a hospital
If the death occurs in a hospital, the hospital staff will take care of the necessary procedures. The hospital staff will assist in informing the next of kin or the authorised person of the passing and arrange for them to view the body, if requested.
The doctor at the hospital will certify the death online and the death will be automatically registered.
The hospital staff may also provide guidance on the next steps to take, such as contacting a funeral service provider.
If the death is unexpected or due to unnatural causes, the hospital staff may inform the police and investigate the cause of death.
3. Call the police (if needed)
Call the police immediately if the death is unexpected, unnatural or due to suspicious circumstances. In Singapore, the police must be informed if the death occurs under such circumstances, and they will investigate the cause of death.
This is to ensure that any foul play or criminal activities related to the death can be ruled out or investigated. Some examples of cases that require the involvement of the police include sudden deaths without any apparent medical history, deaths caused by accidents, homicides, suicides, drug overdoses, and deaths due to contagious diseases or pandemics.
The police will take charge of the scene and work with the relevant authorities, such as the hospital or forensic team, to determine the cause of death and conduct investigations if necessary. It is crucial to follow the instructions of the police and cooperate fully with the investigations to ensure that the necessary procedures are followed and the safety of the public is upheld.
After calling the police, wait for the authorities to arrive and follow their instructions to ensure that the necessary procedures are followed.
4. Cover the body with a sheet or blanket (when appropriate)
If someone has passed away, it is recommended to cover the body with a sheet or blanket out of respect and dignity for the deceased. This is a common practice in many cultures and traditions, and it helps to provide some degree of privacy for the deceased and the bereaved family members.
Additionally, covering the body also helps to prevent the body from being exposed to direct sunlight, dust, or other environmental factors, which may affect the condition of the body.
However, if the cause of death is unnatural or due to suspicious circumstances, it is recommended to avoid covering the body, as it may tamper with evidence that could be vital in determining the cause of death during investigations.
5. Contact the next of kin
Try to get in contact with the deceased closest kin.
The next of kin is usually the closest family member, spouse, or significant other who is responsible for making decisions about the deceased’s affairs, including funeral arrangements.
Additionally, the next of kin may also have access to important information such as the deceased’s medical history, insurance policies, and other legal documents. These may be required during the funeral arrangements and other administrative procedures.
Therefore, it is important to inform the next of kin as soon as possible to ensure that they are aware of the situation and that the necessary arrangements can be made promptly and efficiently.
6. Register the death and getting the death certificate
Note: ICA no longer issues physical death certificates from 29 May 2022.
Registering the death is a legal requirement in Singapore and must be done within 24 hours of the death. The purpose of registering the death is to ensure that the death is recorded officially and that the necessary legal procedures can be followed.
The doctor will certify the death online and the death will be automatically registered at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
After the death is registered, you can download the Death Certificate, which is an official document that provides proof of the death. The Death Certificate is required for many legal procedures, such as the settlement of the deceased’s estate, insurance claims, and other administrative matters to come.
For instructions on how to download the death certificate, watch this video:
You may contact 6589 8707, a 24-hour dedicated hotline, if you have any query relating to the death registration process and digital death certificate.
7. Check for important documents or last wishes
When someone passes away, it is important to check if the deceased left behind any important documents or last wishes. This can include a will, funeral instructions, insurance policies, or any other important legal documents that may be necessary for the administration of the estate.
These documents can ensure that the deceased’s final wishes are respected and that the estate is handled according to their instructions. It is also important to check for any specific funeral instructions, such as whether the deceased wanted a religious or secular service, cremation or burial, or any other preferences they may have had.
One way to check for these documents is to look through the deceased’s personal belongings, such as a safe or a file cabinet, where they may have kept important documents. Another option is to check with the deceased’s lawyer or financial advisor, who may have access to any relevant legal documents.
Additionally, you can check with family members or close friends who may have knowledge of any specific last wishes or funeral instructions that the deceased may have communicated to them.
8. Engage a funeral service provider
At this point, you can look into engaging a funeral service provider for support and guidance to the bereaved family during their time of grief.
A funeral service provider can take care of all the necessary arrangements for the funeral, such as embalming, casket selection, funeral planning, and transportation of the deceased.
Another point to note is that the departed could have had a prior funeral pre-planned with a funeral service provider. In that case, the funeral home will have everything planned out.
To find a funeral service provider, you can ask for recommendations from family members, friends, or colleagues who may have used the services of a funeral home in the past.
You can also do an online search for funeral service providers in your area, and read reviews and ratings from past customers to help you make an informed decision.
It is important to choose a reputable and reliable funeral service provider who can provide the services you need within your budget. Once you have chosen a funeral service provider, you can discuss the details of the funeral arrangements with them.
They will guide you through the process of planning the funeral according to your preferences and budget.
Conclusion
It is an emotionally difficult time when someone passes away. We hope these steps outlined above can guide you through the necessary procedures in the unfortunate event that someone passes away in Singapore.
If you need more personal help, don’t hesitate to give us a call. If you don’t know what to do if someone passed away at night, we also have a 24 Hr helpline: 9692 1100
At Embrace Funeral Services, we have over a decade of experience providing detailed instructions and support to bereaved families.
