Singapore — Help & Guidance
What to do after a death (Singapore)
We apologise this guidance is available only in English — Velanora doesn’t yet have the resources or local language expertise to provide this information accurately across Singapore’s languages.
If this just happened right now, you don’t need to solve everything today. In Singapore, the fastest way to reduce stress is to “unlock the official flow” first: (1) confirm whether the case is a natural death or a coroner/police case, (2) secure the body (hospital mortuary / funeral director), (3) download the digital death certificate when it is issued, (4) apply for the NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate, (5) keep a tight document pack so you can handle CPF, banks, insurance, HDB/property and estate matters without repeating steps.
Emergency: If there is immediate danger, suspected violence, or you need urgent medical help, call Singapore emergency services (999 for police, 995 for ambulance/SCDF).
If unsure: treat it as urgent and seek official guidance before moving the body or disturbing the scene.
If unsure: treat it as urgent and seek official guidance before moving the body or disturbing the scene.
Quick Find — jump straight to what you need
You don’t have to read in order. Solve the bottleneck first.
First hours checklistWhen police/coroner is involvedDigital death certificate (MyLegacy)NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate + sequenceWake/cremation/burial planning + scriptCPF (nomination vs Public Trustee) + DPS/HPSBanks/insurance/bills + scamsHDB/property after death (joint tenancy vs TIC)Probate/letters of administration basicsChildren + grief supportCall scripts you can copy
Best low-stress split: one person handles calls and appointments, one person safeguards documents and keeps a simple log (date/time, who you spoke to, reference numbers).
Checklist (tick as you go)
Checkboxes are just for you while reading — they don’t save if you refresh.
📋 Print-ready checklist
One-page summary of key steps — save to phone or print.
First hours (today): what actually matters
Your goal is safety + the correct pathway, not ‘finishing’ everything.
- Confirm the pathway: natural/expected death vs sudden/unexpected death that may require a coroner process.
- Secure the body: hospital mortuary (if in hospital) or arrange a licensed funeral director to transfer to a funeral parlour (if at home).
- Gather essentials: the deceased’s NRIC/FIN/passport details, next-of-kin NRIC, and where/when the death occurred.
- Start a document pack: digital death certificate, NEA permit, invoices/receipts, and later—estate documents. Take clear photos of everything.
If emotions are high: pick just 2 wins for today — (1) confirm if this is a coroner case, (2) confirm how/when the digital death certificate will be available.
1) When police/coroner is involved (and why it changes timelines)
This is the biggest ‘fork in the road’ for speed and paperwork.
Coroner/police involvement is more likely when a death is sudden, unexpected, unnatural, occurs in public, or the cause is unclear. In these cases, there may be investigations or post-mortem steps that affect when the medical cause is finalised and when downstream processes move smoothly.
Be cautious of “agents” who promise to speed up official steps for a fee. In Singapore, you should be able to proceed through official channels and licensed funeral directors. If someone asks for money to “unlock” a certificate or permit, pause and verify.
Ask this directly (and write the answer down): “Is this a coroner/police case? What is the next document we will receive, and what is the expected timeline for the digital death certificate and NEA permit?”
2) Digital death certificate (Singapore): what it is and how to get it
Singapore no longer issues physical death certificates by default — families often waste time looking for a ‘counter’.
- Key idea: once a doctor certifies a death in the system, the death is registered and a digital death certificate is issued.
- Where to download: use MyLegacy (LifeSG) with Singpass (commonly within a limited window after issuance).
- If you cannot download: return to the certifying doctor/hospital to ask for the alternative document that can be used for the next steps (especially NEA permit).
Keep a clean digital folder: PDF of the death certificate, clear scans of NRICs, and a single note with all reference numbers. This saves hours later.
Practical question to ask the hospital/doctor: “Has the death been certified in the system yet? When should we try downloading the digital death certificate?”
3) NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate — and the sequence that matters
You can plan the wake in parallel — but cremation/burial needs the NEA permit.
For cremation/burial at government-managed after-death facilities (and many private arrangements), the Permit to Bury/Cremate is a key “unlock” step.
Sequence (Singapore):
Doctor certifies death → Digital death certificate issued → Apply for NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate → Cremation/Burial arrangements
(You can still plan the wake, notify family, and engage a funeral director while documents are processing.)
Doctor certifies death → Digital death certificate issued → Apply for NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate → Cremation/Burial arrangements
(You can still plan the wake, notify family, and engage a funeral director while documents are processing.)
- Who can apply: you can apply yourself, but many families ask the funeral director to handle it as part of the package.
- Ask for proof: if a funeral director applies, ask for the application confirmation/reference.
- Receipts matter: keep all invoices and receipts (they may be needed for reimbursements, insurance, or family accounting).
If you’re stuck, the quickest fix is often: bring your documents to an in-person touchpoint (hospital admin / funeral director) and ask the single missing item blocking the permit.
4) Funeral planning in Singapore: make 3 decisions first
The goal is a respectful plan that matches budget, religion, and logistics — without pressure tactics.
- Wake location: home void deck / funeral parlour / private venue. Consider access, lift availability, parking, and noise rules.
- Cremation or burial: align with faith and family wishes early.
- Budget ceiling: set a maximum and insist on an itemised quote.
If a funeral provider pressures you:
Say: “Thank you. Please send an itemised written quote. We need to confirm with family and will reply within 24 hours.”
If they refuse to provide an itemised quote: consider alternatives.
Say: “Thank you. Please send an itemised written quote. We need to confirm with family and will reply within 24 hours.”
If they refuse to provide an itemised quote: consider alternatives.
Itemise to avoid “surprise add-ons”: transfer fees, embalming, casket/urn, venue, manpower, flowers, prayer services, transport, obituary, livestreaming, and after-death facility charges.
5) CPF: what happens next (nomination vs no nomination) + DPS/HPS
This is one of the most important ‘money pathways’ — and it’s very structured.
- Step 1 — check if there is a CPF nomination: If there is a valid nomination, CPF savings are paid to nominees according to it.
- If there is no nomination: CPF savings are handled through the Public Trustee for distribution according to the rules that apply.
- DPS (Dependants’ Protection Scheme): if the deceased was covered, the insurer handles claims. Ask specifically what documents are required and who the beneficiaries are.
- HPS (Home Protection Scheme): if the deceased was an HDB owner paying CPF for a home loan, HPS may settle the outstanding loan (if insured and eligible). Ask early if this applies.
A calm way to ask (CPF / insurer): “Please confirm whether there is a nomination, what the claim process is, what documents are required, and the expected timeline. Please give me a reference number.”
Keep receipts and paperwork in one place. Even in Singapore’s digital systems, delays often happen because one document is missing or one name/NRIC number is entered differently.
6) Banks, insurance, bills and digital accounts
Don’t rush to ‘close everything’. First: prevent mistakes and scams.
- Make a list: bank accounts, credit cards, loans, GIRO arrangements, subscriptions, telco plans, utilities, insurance.
- Ask about restrictions: once a bank is formally notified, accounts may be frozen/restricted. Ask how essential bills can be paid in the interim.
- Insurance: notify insurers early and request the official bereavement checklist + reference number.
Singapore scam pattern: fake Singpass / MyLegacy / “government” links via SMS or WhatsApp. Never click unsolicited links. Type the official site yourself, and never share OTPs or Singpass details.
If someone says “pay a fee to release CPF / death certificate / permit”, pause and verify via official channels or a licensed funeral director. Ask for a written invoice and a company registration name before paying anything.
7) HDB and property after death: the one distinction that changes everything
Most confusion comes from ownership type: joint tenancy vs tenancy-in-common.
- Joint tenancy: the deceased’s share typically passes to the surviving joint owner(s) by survivorship. This is not the same as “inheritance through a will”.
- Tenancy-in-common / sole owner: the deceased’s share is part of the estate and usually needs probate/letters of administration before transfer.
- Do this early: check the ownership type (HDB / SLA property records, or your documents), and ask the managing HDB branch what they require for the next step.
Practical rule: if you’re not sure, assume you’ll need a formal grant for anything substantial (property sale/transfer, big bank balances) and plan time accordingly.
8) Estate basics (Singapore): when you need probate / letters of administration
You don’t need to solve this in week 1 — but you should avoid ‘early mistakes’ that cause disputes.
- If there is a will: the executor usually applies for a Grant of Probate.
- If there is no will: a suitable person applies for Letters of Administration.
- Muslim estates: additional religious inheritance processes may apply (for example, documentation that supports distribution under Muslim law).
Safe rule: Do not sign transfers, sell property, or “hand over documents” to anyone under pressure. If there is conflict, substantial assets, or uncertainty, speak to a qualified professional early.
Children and funerals
Children can grieve too — and simple preparation helps.
- Let them choose whether to attend the wake or cremation/burial.
- Assign one calm adult to be their person who can step away anytime.
- Explain what they’ll see in simple, non-scary language (lights, flowers, prayers, people crying).
- It’s okay if they play or laugh. This is not disrespect.
- Answer questions honestly and repeat as needed.
If you feel guilt, numbness, anger, or even relief — this is common. Grief counselling can help, especially if sleep, appetite, or daily functioning is falling apart.
Call scripts (copy/paste)
Ask for the 4 things: checklist, where to submit, timeline, reference number.
Hospital / doctor (digital certificate timing)
Hello. Our family member [Full name] has died. Please confirm whether the death has been certified in the system and when we should be able to download the digital death certificate. If we cannot download it, what alternative document can we use for the NEA permit?
Funeral director (NEA permit + itemised quote)
Hello. We need an itemised written quote for the full funeral package and services (transfer, parlour/wake, embalming if needed, casket/urn, transport, prayers/services, and any facility charges). Please confirm whether you will apply for the NEA Permit to Bury/Cremate and provide the application confirmation/reference number.
CPF / insurer (nomination + DPS/HPS)
Hello. I’m calling regarding a member who has passed away. Please confirm whether there is a nomination, the claim process and documents required, the expected timeline, and a reference number. Also please confirm if DPS or HPS applies and how those claims should be made.
Bank (accounts + essential bills)
Hello. I need the official process for a deceased customer. Please confirm which documents are required, who has authority to act, what happens to GIRO/standing instructions, and how we can avoid failed payments for essential bills. Please give me a reference number for this enquiry.
End every call with: “What is the next step, and by when should I do it?” Then write it down.
Next steps
When you have more energy
Planning a funeral (Singapore)Legal & estate administration (Singapore)Bereavement support (Singapore)
Velanora provides general practical information only — it is not legal advice. If the death is disputed, there’s significant property, or conflict, speak to a qualified professional.
In Singapore, the systems are structured — but grief is not. It’s okay to ask someone directly: “Can you handle the calls?” “Can you keep the document folder?” Sharing the load is also love.