Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. During such an emotionally overwhelming time, there are important legal and practical steps that need to be taken in Singapore. This guide walks you through everything you need to do, from the moment of death through to funeral arrangements, estate matters, and beyond.
Step 1: Establish the Cause of Death
The first step depends on where and how the death occurred.
Death at Home (Natural Causes)
If the death occurs at home and the cause appears to be natural, contact the family doctor or the nearest clinic to certify the death. A doctor will attend to examine the body and issue a Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD).
Death at Home (Unexpected or Suspicious)
If the death is unexpected, unnatural, or suspicious, call the police at 999 immediately. The police will investigate the circumstances and refer the case to the coroner. A post-mortem examination may be required before the CCOD can be issued.
Death in Hospital
If your loved one passes away in a hospital, the attending doctor handles the certification process. The hospital will guide you through the next steps, including death registration.
Step 2: Register the Death
Death registration in Singapore is a legal requirement. However, the process has been significantly simplified since May 2022.
Automatic Online Registration
Since 29 May 2022, deaths in Singapore are automatically registered online once a doctor certifies the death. Families no longer need to visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to register the death in person.
Downloading the Digital Death Certificate
The next-of-kin can download the digital death certificate through the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal (mylegacy.life.gov.sg) using Singpass. This must be done within 30 days of the death.
To download, you will need:
- The death certificate number
- The deceased's ID number
- The date of death
There is no fee for death registration or the digital death certificate.
Important Notes on Death Registration
- The deceased's identity documents (NRIC) are invalidated in the ICA system once death is registered. The next-of-kin should destroy the invalidated ID (punch a hole or cut it) to prevent misuse.
- For any queries, the 24-hour hotline is 6589 8707.
Step 3: Arrange the Funeral
With the death certified and registered, the next step is to arrange the funeral. This is where a funeral director becomes invaluable.
Choosing a Funeral Director
A funeral director coordinates all aspects of the funeral, including:
- Venue booking (void deck, funeral parlour, private property)
- Permit applications
- Transport of the deceased
- Coordination with religious officiants
- Setup and logistics
- Embalming (if needed for a multi-day wake)
- Cremation or burial arrangements
When choosing a funeral director, ask about what is included in their packages, whether there are hidden costs, what faiths they specialise in, and whether they handle all permit applications on your behalf.
Deciding on the Funeral Format
Consider the following decisions:
- Faith tradition: Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, Soka, Hindu, Muslim, Freethinker, or a personalised service
- Duration: Typically 1 to 7 days depending on faith tradition
- Venue: HDB void deck, funeral parlour, landed property, or religious institution
For a comprehensive look at planning, see our guide on how to arrange a funeral in Singapore.
Applying for Permits
Your funeral director will typically handle permit applications, which include:
- Permit to Bury or Cremate via the NEA ePortal (no fee)
- Coffin/Casket Permit via the NEA ePortal ($10)
- Void deck permit from the relevant Town Council (if applicable)
If the wake extends beyond 7 days after the date of death, written permission from NEA is required.
Step 4: Locate the Will
It is important to determine whether the deceased left a will, as this affects how the estate is distributed.
If There Is a Will
The named executor in the will applies for a Grant of Probate from the court. This gives the executor the legal authority to manage and distribute the estate according to the will's instructions.
You can check whether a will was registered with the Singapore Academy of Law Wills Registry.
If There Is No Will
If the deceased did not leave a will, a close family member must apply for Letters of Administration. The estate will then be distributed according to:
- The Intestate Succession Act (for non-Muslim deceased)
- Muslim inheritance law under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (for Muslim deceased)
Small Estates
For estates valued under $50,000 with no will, the Public Trustee's Office can assist with administration, simplifying the process for families.
Step 5: Handle CPF Matters
CPF (Central Provident Fund) savings are handled separately from the estate.
Automatic Notification
For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, ICA automatically informs the CPF Board when a death is registered. There is no need for the family to separately notify CPF Board.
For foreign nationals with CPF accounts, the family must report the death directly to CPF Board.
CPF Distribution
How CPF savings are distributed depends on whether the deceased made a CPF nomination:
- With a valid CPF nomination: Savings are distributed directly to the nominees. CPF Board contacts nominees within 10 working days.
- Without a CPF nomination: CPF savings are transferred to the Public Trustee's Office (PTO) for distribution according to intestacy laws.
It is important to note that CPF savings are not covered by a will. Only a CPF nomination determines how CPF money is distributed. For more details, see our guide on CPF withdrawal for funeral expenses.
Step 6: Handle Property and Estate Matters
Joint Tenancy Property
Property held under joint tenancy passes automatically to the surviving joint owner through the right of survivorship. No Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is needed.
Sole-Owned Property
If the deceased owned property solely, a Grant of Probate (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will) is required before the property can be transferred or sold.
Other Estate Matters
After the funeral, the family should also attend to:
- Closing or transferring bank accounts (accounts are frozen once the bank is notified of the death)
- Cancelling subscriptions, memberships, and credit cards
- Notifying relevant government agencies (HDB, IRAS, etc.)
- Settling outstanding bills and debts
Step 7: Considerations for Muslim Deceased
If the deceased is Muslim, there are specific inheritance rules to be aware of:
- Only one-third of the estate can be willed away. The remaining two-thirds must follow Muslim inheritance law (faraid).
- A beneficiary must apply to the Syariah Court for an Inheritance Certificate to determine the lawful distribution of the estate.
- CPF savings of a Muslim deceased without a CPF nomination are also distributed according to Muslim inheritance law.
Step 8: If Death Occurred Overseas
If a Singapore citizen or resident passes away overseas:
- Inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or the nearest Singapore Mission/Embassy in the country of death.
- Register the death with the relevant foreign authorities.
- Decide whether to repatriate the body to Singapore or arrange burial/cremation at the place of death.
- Upon return to Singapore, report the death to Singapore's Registry of Births and Deaths (in person at the ICA building).
Key Government Resources
Here are the essential government resources for dealing with a death in Singapore:
- MyLegacy@LifeSG (mylegacy.life.gov.sg) - Official portal for all death-related matters including downloading the digital death certificate
- NEA ePortal (eportal.nea.gov.sg) - For applying for permits to bury or cremate
- CPF Board (cpf.gov.sg) - For CPF nomination and distribution matters
- Singapore Academy of Law Wills Registry - For searching registered wills
- Office of the Public Trustee (pto.mlaw.gov.sg) - For small estate administration and un-nominated CPF distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register the death myself?
No. Since May 2022, deaths in Singapore are automatically registered online once a doctor certifies the death. You simply need to download the digital death certificate via the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal using Singpass.
How do I get the death certificate?
The digital death certificate is downloaded through the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal (mylegacy.life.gov.sg) using Singpass. There is no fee. The next-of-kin has 30 days to download it.
What if the person dies at home?
If the death is from natural causes, call the family doctor or nearest clinic to certify the death. If the death is unexpected or suspicious, call the police at 999 immediately.
How long can a funeral last?
Funerals can last up to 7 days without special permission. If the wake needs to extend beyond 7 days from the date of death, written permission from NEA is required.
What happens to the deceased's bank accounts?
Bank accounts are frozen once the bank is notified of the death. Access to the funds requires either a Grant of Probate (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will).
Can I use the deceased's CPF to pay for the funeral?
No. CPF savings cannot be used upfront to pay for funeral costs. The savings are distributed to nominees (or through the Public Trustee's Office) after the death is processed. For un-nominated CPF, the PTO allows up to $6,000 reimbursement for funeral expenses.
How soon must I arrange the funeral?
The timeline depends on the faith tradition. Muslim and Hindu funerals are typically conducted within 24 hours. Chinese Buddhist and Taoist funerals commonly run 3 to 7 days. Christian funerals usually take 2 to 5 days. There is no strict legal deadline, but the wake should begin within a reasonable timeframe.
What if I cannot afford the funeral?
Families facing financial difficulty can contact their nearest Social Service Office to apply for ComCare financial assistance. Some religious organisations also offer subsidised funeral services for their members.