What to do when someone passes away in Singapore
A calm, step-by-step guide for the first hours, in plain language: who to call, how the paperwork works now, and how we take the weight off your family. Whatever the hour, we are here.
You do not have to face this alone
The first call is the hardest. Let us make the rest simple.
Losing someone is overwhelming, and the practical steps can feel like a fog. In Singapore it really comes down to two things: getting the passing certified by a doctor, and calling a funeral team you trust. Almost everything else, we handle for you, and our funeral cost guide lays out the pricing plainly.
Here is what actually needs to happen, in order. And if you would rather not read it right now, that is completely understandable, just call Glenn or Rainer and we will walk you through every step, or simply take over.
Step by step
What to do, in order
If it happened at home, and was expected
A doctor needs to certify the passing and issue the Certificate of Cause of Death. Call the family doctor who was treating the condition first; if none is available, a private house-call doctor can certify (typically around $350 to $500). Not sure who to call? Call us, and we will help arrange it.
If it was sudden, unexpected or unattended
Call the Police at 999. Your loved one will be taken to the Mortuary at HSA, and a Coroner will decide whether an autopsy is needed. The body is released once it has been cleared, which can take a few days. We will guide you through the wait and take over the moment your family is ready.
If it happened in hospital
The hospital doctor certifies the passing. There is nothing you need to register yourself, and your loved one is cared for in the hospital mortuary until we collect them.
The paperwork is now automatic
Since 2022, Singapore no longer issues a physical death certificate. Once a doctor certifies online, the death is registered automatically, so there is no need to visit ICA or a police post. The doctor gives you the death certificate number; you download the Digital Death Certificate from MyLegacy (mylegacy.life.gov.sg) using Singpass, within 30 days. Registration itself is free.
Call us, and we take it from here
This is the call most families make first. We collect your loved one from the home, hospital or mortuary, handle the permits and the cremation booking, and set up the wake, the rites and the hearse. One call, and the arrangements are off your shoulders.
The wake and the farewell
We arrange everything for your family’s faith and wishes, over 3, 5 or 7 days, with the cremation usually on the final day. You spend the time together; we manage the rest, in-house, from start to finish.
After the funeral
We help you collect the ashes and lay your loved one to rest, whether a columbarium niche, a sea burial, or inland scattering at the Garden of Peace. When you are ready, MyLegacy also provides a checklist for notifying CPF, banks and HDB.
Questions families ask
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call first when someone dies in Singapore?
If the passing was at home and expected, call a doctor to certify it. If it was sudden or unexpected, call the Police at 999. Either way, you can call Funeral Home Team at any hour on +65 9126 1072 (Glenn) or +65 9066 9720 (Rainer), and we will guide you through what to do and collect your loved one.
Do I still need to register the death at ICA?
No. Since 2022, once a doctor certifies the passing online, the death is registered automatically. There is no need to visit ICA or a police post. You download the Digital Death Certificate from MyLegacy with Singpass within 30 days, and registration is free.
What happens if someone passes away at home?
First, a doctor certifies the passing, the family doctor who treated the condition, or a private house-call doctor if none is available. Then call us, and we will collect your loved one and handle everything from there.
What if the passing was sudden or unexpected?
Call the Police at 999. Your loved one is taken to the Mortuary at HSA and a Coroner decides whether an autopsy is needed. Once the body is released, we take over and arrange the funeral. We will support your family through the wait.
How quickly can you collect my loved one?
Straight away. Our hotline runs 24 hours, every day. Whenever you call, you reach Glenn or Rainer directly, and we can collect your loved one and begin arrangements immediately.
How soon does the funeral need to be held?
Most families hold the wake over 3, 5 or 7 days, with the cremation on the final day. There is no rush to decide everything at once, we help you plan it at your pace, around your family and your faith.
One call is enough
You do not need to have the answers, or the paperwork, or a plan. Call us, and we will carry the arrangements while your family carries each other.
Here for you, any hour of the day or night.
Whenever you are ready, we are here
Call or message any time. You will reach Glenn or Rainer directly, with no obligation.