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When a death occurs it’s important to let the right people know as quickly as you can. Firstly, you will need to get a doctor to check and confirm the cause of death. If the cause of death is known and from natural causes, the doctor will certify the death and issue a digital certificate cause of death(CCOD).
The family can use the digital certificate cause of death to register the death at mylegacy.life.gov.sg. Upon registration of the loved one, the CCOD will kept by the death registration centre and a digital Death Certificate will be issued to the family members. You need this Death Certificate to place an obituary in the papers, engage a professional funeral director, and when you make an arrangements for cremation or burial.
If the deceased was elderly or had an existing illness and had received recent medical treatment, it is advisable to reach out to their treating doctor. The doctor may be able to provide verify the cause of death. In cases where such a doctor is not available, it is recommended to contact your family doctor or a local general practitioner who can visit the residence. If neither of these options is feasible, you can consider seeking assistance from a funeral director or contacting the police.
If the cause of death is known and from natural causes, the doctor will certify the death and issue a digital certificate of the cause of death.
Contact your family doctor, who has been attending to the deceased. If you do not have a family doctor or if the family doctor is not available, engage Singapore Casket to make arrangements for one or contact any neighborhood doctor who is willing to make a house call.
After the Certificate of Cause of Death has been obtained, the family may engage a funeral director who will
The family will have to register the death at mylegacy.life.gov.sg.
If the body is referred to the Mortuary@HSA, the death will be registered at the Mortuary@HSA.
What to bring to register a death:
The Doctor will certify the cause of death on site, after which family members will be guided to access the digital death certificate via the mylegacy.life.gov.sg portal. They will be given up to 30 days to download the digital death certificate, which is required to make funeral arrangements and application for permits. Unlike death occur at home, family may prepare 2 sets of clothes for the deceased; one for discharge and another final outfit for the service.
Should the Doctor be unable to certify the death, the deceased will be transferred to the Mortuary @ HSA in a police hearse / an ambulance whichever is applicable.
The family will be called upon to assist in the investigation.
After the coroner report is completed, the family will be guided to register for the digital death certificate at mylegacy.life.gov.sg in the Mortuary Office. The family will also need to inform their entrusted undertaker to complete the transfer process at the Mortuary.
If the body is referred to the Mortuary@HSA, the death will be registered at the
Mortuary@HSA (Singapore General Hospital, Block 9, Outram Road, Singapore 169608).
Mortuary@HSA operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 8:00am to 12:30pm
When the doctor is unable to determine the cause of death, or a death has been the result of or has been contributed by an unnatural event (e.g. surgical complication, a fall prior to admission), the doctor is under the requirement of law (Criminal Procedures Code) to refer the case to the Police/Coroner. In such cases, the body will be sent to the Mortuary@HSA (located at Block 9 Singapore General Hospital) in a Police Hearse. The hospital will arrange for this to be done. The family will be told by the Police when to go down to the Mortuary@HSA (this is usually on the next day).
What to bring to Mortuary@HSA
At the Mortuary@HSA
The Coroner will review the case and determine if an autopsy is required.
Mortuary@HSA operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 8:00am to 12:30pm
After the Certificate of Cause of Death has been obtained, the family may engage a funeral director who will
The family will need to register the death with the foreign authorities in the country where the individual has passed away. Death registration in a foreign country and repatriation of the mortal remains back to Singapore, contact either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission.
The body of a Singapore Citizen / Permanent Resident can be brought back from Overseas to Singapore for cremation or burial. In any event, a Coffin (Import) Permit is required to import a body into Singapore.
Engage a professional local funeral director with experience in repatriation services to assist you in the whole process & procedures.
You may apply for a coffin permit at any time from the following offices:
| Contact Details | Coffin Permit Fees | |
| Port Health office 4545 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore 159466 Tel: 6222 2585 Fax: 6222 8543 Open 24 hrs daily Airport Heath Office 80 Airpot Boulevard Changi Airport Terminal 1 #14-08 Singapore 819642 Tel: 6543 2515 Fax: 6543 1973 Open 24 hrs daily | Import Permit | $17.50 |
| Export Permit | $17.50 | |
| Transhipment Permit | $17.50 | |
Death Certificate issued by the country where death occurred (copy of English translation is required if the death certificate is in ethnic languages)
If the application is by the funeral director, the Permit to Cremate/Bury will be granted provided the next-of-kin gives a letter of authorization for the funeral director to apply for the permit.
The coffin permit costs $10. The Permit to Bury/Cremate will be issued with the coffin permit at no extra charge.
Note: Prior written approval has to be obtained from the National Environment Agency, Environmental Health Department for the import of a body of an HIV-infected Singapore Citizen
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 law requires all deaths (regardless of citizenship) happening in Singapore to be registered within 24 hours of occurrence.
Free of charge.
5 to 10 minutes depending on internet speed.
131 Lavender Street,
Singapore 338737
Fax: +65 6296 5993
