What to do when your loved ones pass on
Quick Reference for Bereavement Family |
Quick Reference for Bereavement Family |
Things to take note upon the death of a loved one
When your loved one passes on, there are a number of matters you will be attending to. A funeral in the style that your loved one wanted is an important event for the family to grieve over their loss.
After your loved one’s life comes to an end, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD) to register the death within 24 hours.
The CCOD will be issued by a doctor, either at the hospital, or a doctor who visits your home if death occurs at home.
Doctors can issue a CCOD if they know the cause of death, and the death is natural.
If the cause of death cannot be identified or unnatural deaths
Should this occur, the doctor will refer the matter to the police. Even if the death occurred in the hospital, it will also be referred to the police if death was directly or indirectly caused by unnatural events, eg surgical complications, a fall before admission, etc.
If the police is involved, the body will be sent to the Mortuary@HSA (Block 9, Singapore General Hospital). The next-of-kin will need to go to the mortuary to identify the body.
Documents to bring to the mortuary include:
1) Informant’s identification papers, eg NRIC/ Passport
2) Deceased’s identification papers, eg NRIC/ Passport/ Birth Certificate
3) All of the deceased’s medical documents and medicine taken
The coroner will review the case and determine if an autopsy is required. The next-of-kin will be informed of the coroner’s decision and when they may collect the body.
Registering the death
Death registration can be done at the following places:
Please note that you do not need to register the death separately if the body is referred to the Mortuary@HSA, as death will be registered at there.
Upon registration, you will be able to collect the Death Certificate.
Many people choose to place an obituary in the newspapers. This is a personal choice and it is up to you how you would like to place an obituary.
Funeral wakes are opportunities for family, friends and acquaintances to pay their respects to the deceased. You can choose to have the wake at your own home, or at the funeral parlour.
You could also hold the wake at the void deck.
You can book a date and time for cremation or burial at the relevant booking office, through the phone, or online. Your funeral director can also help you to make the booking.
You will need the following documents:
1) NRIC of the applicant and next-of-kin
2) Original Death Certificate (which contains the Permit to Bury/Cremate)
Every family has its own preferences for the ashes of the deceased. Perhaps your loved one has given you instructions about what to do with the ashes.
There are normally two options: