What to do when a loved one passes away in Singapore? Things to prepare within the next 24 hours

Losing a loved one to death is a painful experience to deal with; it's not something we can entirely be prepared for no matter how much we try to mentally.

Sometimes, it gets even harder to bear especially for the bereaved family who is preparing the funeral.

On top of planning for the funeral, here are some important things to do within the first 24 hours of the death of a loved one, and this compiled list might help with the process.

GETTING A CERTIFICATE OF CAUSE OF DEATH (CCOD)

LOSING A LOVED ONE AT HOME

If the death happened at home, contact the doctor who has been attending to the deceased, or a doctor who is able to make a house call. 

In the event that the death is due to an unnatural cause or has happened suddenly without a known cause, and the doctor isn’t able to certify the death, call the police for the body to be sent to Mortuary@HSA in a police hearse.

For cases classified as unnatural deaths, the Forensic Medicine Division will advise the State Coroner if an autopsy is required.

The Coroner will then authorise the autopsy for an investigation into the cause of death, and it will be used as evidence in Coroner's Inquiries and criminal trials.

Family members will be notified, usually a day later, to identify the body in the presence of the Coroner.

Things to bring to the Mortuary@HSA:

• Supporting medical documents related to the deceased
• All medicine consumed by the deceased
• Identifications (NRIC, passport, certificate of registration of birth, FIN card)

LOSING A LOVED ONE AT THE HOSPITAL

When death happens in the hospital, the doctor will be able to certify the cause of death and produce the CCOD. 

Prepare a favourite set of clothing and covered shoes that the deceased used to wear to hand them over to the undertaker.  

Things required:

• Identification of the deceased
• A set of clothing of the deceased 

LOSING A LOVED ONE OVERSEAS

Should a loved one pass away overseas, the relevant foreign authorities should be contacted to register the death.

ENGAGING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR

At this point, the family can contact a funeral director to help with obtaining the various permits for repatriation.

For loved ones who have passed on at home or at the hospital, while obtaining the CCOD, family members can start to engage a funeral director to look into planning for the wake. 

The funeral director is in charge of coordinating the booking and setting up of the wake at the selected venue and all logistical arrangements.

Services include:

• Collection at hospital or home
• Embalming and makeup services
• Transporting to vigil location
• Cremation fee
• Funeral set up
• Prayer or memorial items
• Casket
• Pallbearer services and funeral hearse
• Chartering aircon bus

Here's a full list of funeral directors available in Singapore.

A DEATH CERTIFICATE IS NOT A CCOD

The CCOD comes before obtaining the death certificate and should not be confused with one or the other. 

The registering of death should be done within 24 hours at the nearest police station, or the Registry of Births and Deaths in the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

When obtaining the death certificate, the CCOD has to be produced, along with your identification and the deceased’s.

At this time, family members should have already decided if the body will be cremated or buried as it will be noted on the Certificate of Death.

What to prepare:

• CCOD 
• Identifications (NRIC, passport, certificate of registration of birth or FIN card)
• Deciding if the body should be cremated or buried.

OBITUARY

Now it's time to break the news to friends and family members. It can be done via phone call or text messaging or a notice placed on the obituary.

While it is not a must to place an obituary, you can do so in the local newspaper to announce the location and details of the wake.

Things to include in the obituary:

• Photo of deceased
• Name of deceased
• Date of death
• Name of family members
• Location of wake
• Details of prayer or memorial service 
• Burial or cremation details

Things required: 

• Original Death Certificate
• Identification of person placing the obituary

BURIAL, CREMATION & NICHE

Booking of burial ground or cremation can be done online, over the phone or in-person at the selected location. 

The burial or cremation service would usually be handled by the funeral director.

Cremated ashes may be placed in either of the two government-managed columbaria (Choa Chu Kang Columbarium and Mandai Columbarium) or at a private columbarium. 

Advance booking is not allowed and niches at government-managed columbaria are allocated. A $250 fee is required to choose a different location.

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There is no one right way to cope with the loss of a loved one. If you're struggling or have noticed prolonged grieving symptoms in friends or relatives, you can seek help at these community organisations in Singapore:

• Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), 1800 – 2214444
• Mental Health Helpline, 6389-2222
• Counselling & Care Centre, 6536-6366 

For more information on what to do when a loved one dies, here's a useful checklist.

READ ALSO: Interesting funeral services you should know about

melissagoh@asiaone.com