What is the process of a funeral in Singapore?
When a person passes, he should be cremated as soon as possible. The body has to be kept in a refrigerated morgue for not more than seven days.
What if the deceased had not made any advance funeral arrangements?
If the deceased does not have any pre-paid funeral plan, the family will have to make a deposit at the crematorium which will be used to pay for the funeral expenses.
What happens if the family does not have the means to pay for the funeral expenses?
In such situations, the next-of-kin can approach the Social Service Offices (SSO) for assistance. The family will need to provide the following documents:
1. Death Certificate
2. SSO Form 1
3. ID of next-of-kin
4. A letter from the next-of-kin or relatives explaining the situation (there is no need for the letter to be witnessed or notarised)
The next-of-kin can approach the SSO for assistance. The family will need to provide the following documents:
1. Death Certificate
2. SSO Form 1
3. ID of next-of-kin
4. A letter from the next-of-kin or relatives explaining the situation (there is no need for the letter to be witnessed or notarised)
What are the requirements for cremation?
The deceased has to be cremated as soon as possible. The body has to be kept in a refrigerated morgue for not more than seven days.
How long does cremation take?
Cremating a body usually takes about three hours, and the ashes can be collected after seven days.
How much does cremation cost?
A cremation charge is $2,000 for a basic cremation, which includes the coffin, cremation and the urn.
If the family wishes, they can request for a more expensive cremation, which includes a casket, flowers, wreaths and a wake service.
Is a service held before the cremation?
Not necessarily.
The family can opt to hold a memorial service before the cremation, but they can also opt for a simple cremation without any ceremony.
Is there a minimum or maximum period between a service and cremation?
No. The family can either choose to hold a memorial service before the cremation or not.
How is the ashes disposed of?
The ashes are placed in the urn and buried in a columbarium, or a niche in a columbarium wall.
What are the options for burial?
There are two options for burial:
1. Burial in a columbarium
2. Burial at a designated cemetery
What are the options for disposal of ashes?
There are two options for disposal of ashes:
1. Disposal at sea
2. Burial in a columbarium
What is the process of burial at a columbarium?
There are five steps to burying ashes at a columbarium:
1. The family has to choose the niche at the columbarium.
2. The family has to make a deposit for the niche.
3. The family will be issued a letter of authority to choose a date and time for the burial.
4. The family will have to bring along the urn with the ashes, a death certificate, the letter of authority and a copy of the ID of the next-of-kin.
5. The family will be required to sign an acknowledgement of cremation form.
What is the process of burial at a designated cemetery?
There are six steps to burying ashes at a designated cemetery:
1. The family has to make a deposit for the grave.
2. The family has to make a burial plan. The burial plan will have to be signed by the next-of-kin.
3. The family will be issued a letter of authority.
4. The family will have to bring along the urn with the ashes, a death certificate, the letter of authority, a copy of the next-of-kin’s ID and the burial plan to the cemetery.
5. The family will have to sign an acknowledgement of disposal form.
6. The family will have to choose a date and time for the burial.