Losing someone you love is devastating. This practical, step-by-step guide walks you through exactly what to do in the first 24–72 hours after a death in Singapore — so you can focus on your family.
The First Call to Make
When someone passes away, the very first step is to contact a funeral director. At Indian Life Memorial, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call or WhatsApp us at +65 9687 5688 and a specialist will respond within 30 minutes. Having a funeral director with you from the start makes every subsequent step significantly easier.
If the death occurs in a hospital, the hospital's ward staff will notify you of the process. If it happens at home, call 995 for the ambulance and the police will also attend — this is standard procedure in Singapore for all home deaths. Do not move the body until the authorities have attended.
Obtaining the Death Certificate
A Death Certificate is the foundational document for everything that follows — the funeral, CPF withdrawal, insurance claims, and estate matters. In Singapore, a Certified True Copy of the Death Certificate is issued by the Registry of Births and Deaths (ICA). If the death occurred in a hospital, the hospital typically processes this.
For a home death, the attending doctor or a police surgeon will certify the cause of death, after which the family or funeral director applies to ICA. Indian Life Memorial handles all Death Certificate paperwork on your behalf — you do not need to navigate this alone.
Arranging the Funeral — What Needs to Be Decided
Once the paperwork is underway, your funeral director will guide you through the key decisions: the type of service (cremation or burial), wake location (home, HDB void deck, or funeral parlour), duration of the wake (typically 1–3 days), religious rites, casket selection, and floral arrangements.
At Indian Life Memorial, we provide a clear, transparent quote covering all these elements — no hidden fees. We will explain every option simply and without pressure, so you can make the right choice for your family and your loved one's faith.
If your loved one has pre-planned their funeral wishes — for example through Singapore's My Legacy portal — retrieve those instructions and share them with your funeral director. This makes the process significantly smoother.
Need immediate assistance?
Our team is available 24/7. Call or WhatsApp — we respond within 30 minutes.
Notifying Government Agencies and Managing Practical Matters
After the funeral is arranged, there are several practical notifications to make. The CPF Board should be notified of the death so that eligible CPF funds can be released to nominees. If the deceased had active HDB flat ownership, HDB should be contacted regarding the transfer of the flat.
IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) should be informed if the deceased had outstanding tax matters or significant assets. Cancel recurring subscriptions, credit cards, and bank accounts in due course — your funeral director or a lawyer can advise on the sequence.
Grief Support in Singapore
After the funeral is over, grief does not simply stop. Singapore has several free grief support resources including the Singapore Hospice Council's grief support helpline, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1767, and family service centres islandwide.
Indian Life Memorial's team is also available after the funeral to answer any questions about estate matters, the My Legacy Vault, or follow-up arrangements like columbarium placement. We believe our responsibility to your family does not end when the funeral ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Viknesh Geevanantham
Founder & Funeral Director, Indian Life Memorial
Viknesh has over a decade of experience guiding Singapore families through Hindu, Indian, and all-faith funeral arrangements with compassion and care.
