Steps to Take When a Family Member Passes Away

1. Obtain the Death Certificate

• If death occurs in a hospital:
  • The attending doctor certifies the death.
  • Doctor provides information to download the digital death certificate online.
• If death occurs at home:
  • Contact the family doctor attending to the deceased. If none, contact a nearby doctor willing to certify the death at home.
• Download the digital death certificate from the MyLegacy website using Singpass login.

2. Arrange Funeral and Wake

• Contact a funeral director for funeral arrangements. Choose from a list available on the Association of Funeral Directors Singapore website.
• Funeral wake location:
  • HDB estate: Obtain a permit from your Town Council and apply to HDB for temporary parking.
  • Private landed property: Apply for a Temporary Occupation Licence from the Singapore Land Authority if using public roads/walkways. For parking lots managed by URA, submit an application directly to URA.
• The funeral director can assist with obtaining the permit for burial or cremation from the National Environment Agency (NEA).

3. Notify Relatives and Friends

• Consider placing an obituary in local newspapers.

4. Counselling and Support Services

• Experiencing the death of a family member is highly stressful. Consider seeking counseling from:
  • Government-funded Family Service Centres
  • Voluntary welfare organizations
  • Samaritans of Singapore

5. Administrative and Financial Matters

• Inform the deceased’s insurance companies.
• CPF Matters:
  • If there’s a valid CPF nomination, monies will be distributed accordingly.
  • If no nomination, CPF monies are forwarded to the Public Trustee for distribution per intestacy laws (non-Muslims) or inheritance certificate (Muslims).
  • No need to notify CPF Board separately for Singapore citizens or PRs as they are automatically informed.
• Wills and Estate Matters:
  • Locate the deceased’s original will, if one exists.
  • Executor named in the will must instruct a lawyer to apply for a Grant of Probate.
  • If there’s no will, the closest next-of-kin should appoint a lawyer to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration.
• Gather relevant financial documents (bank statements, insurance policies, credit card bills, property titles, etc.) required for the court application.
• A Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration must be obtained before assets like cars can be sold or transferred.
• Once obtained, the Executor or Administrator can access assets, settle debts, and distribute proceeds to beneficiaries, guided by legal advice from the appointed lawyer.
• Engage an experienced probate lawyer for smooth navigation of the legal process. Contact Ms Ng Pui Khim via email to arrange a consultation.