U.S. Embassy in Singapore

The following information is submitted in accordance with the referenced requirements. The laws and information gathered are from the Statute of Singapore, Environmental Public Health Act and National Environment Agency

Part I.  Singapore

Part II.  U.S. Embassy or Consulate Information

American Embassy
27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508
Phone: 65-6476-9100
Fax: 65-6476-9232
After Hours Phone: 65-6476-9100

• Country Information
• Register With the U.S. Embassy

Part III.  Profile of Religions of the Host Country and Religious Services available to visitors.

Country Profile:  Various Religions 

Religious Activities For Visitors

“Singapore is a multi-cultural country with many different types of temples, churches and other places of worship. Many Christian churches conduct services in Mandarin and English; a number of churches also have services in other languages such as Bahasa, Thai and Tagalog.

Most major religions are represented in Singapore, to include the following: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Church of Christ, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Christian Scientist, Jewish, Pentecostal, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Armenian, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai and Taoist.”

This website lists temples and churches:  www.yellowpages.com.sg

Part IV.  Funeral Directors, Mortician and Related Services Available in the Host Country:

Funeral Directors in Singapore :

Part V.  Profile of services available in the host country regarding preparation and shipment of remains:

The purpose of this section is to describe:

a.  Disposition of Remains (general): A body which is not embalmed can normally be kept up to 72 hours at the mortuary of all hospitals in Singapore.  However, most of them have very small capacity.  The Mortuary@HSA, Forensic Medicine Division of the Health Science Authority of Singapore has a capacity of up to 53.  In unnatural death cases the Coroner will determine if an autopsy is required.  If a doctor is unable to determine the cause of death, or a death has been the result of or has been contributed by an unnatural event (e.g. surgical complication, a fall prior to admission), the doctor is under the requirement of the law (Criminal Procedures Code) to refer the case to the Police / Coroner. In such cases, the body will be sent to Mortuary@HSA (located at Block 9 Singapore General Hospital) in a Police Hearse.

At the Mortuary@HSA

• The Police Investigator will arrange for the family to view and identify the deceased’s body in the presence of the Coroner. • The Coroner will review the case and determine if an autopsy is required. • The family will be informed of the Coroner’s decision and the time to claim the body for the funeral.If the autopsy reveals that the death is unnatural, the Police will need to conduct further investigations into the cause of death and the family will need to assist. Once the investigation is completed, the family will be told by the Police to attend a Coroner Inquiry at the Subordinate Courts.

b.   Specific facts relating to embalming, cremation, caskets, exportation, documentation requirements, preparation, shipment, and exhumation:

See “f” below or refer to information at National Environmental Agency- Other Death Related Matters.

c.   As applicable, please include any unique circumstances which may apply to post; for example, special requirements for deaths by infectious disease or under suspicious circumstances:

See “a” above and “f” below.

d.   Shipping:

In-country transportation is not applicable.  Singapore is an international hub and most major airlines fly to and from Singapore on a weekly or daily basis.

e.   Local authorities responsible for licensing funeral directors and morticians:

Funeral homes in Singapore are run as businesses that belong to the Association for Funeral Directors, which oversees standards and regulates  members.

f.    Local authorities responsible for making findings regarding the cause of death and for issuing death local certificates:

Doctors or Authorized Officers (i.e. Forensic Death Investigators) from the Ministry of Health are the local authorities responsible for making findings regarding the cause of death and for issuing death local certificates.

(1)     Maximum period Before Burial of Remains:

Burial in Singapore is covered by Chapter 95 of the Environmental Public Health Act of the Statutes of the Republic of Singapore Revised 1988.  The statutes do not provide regulations regarding the maximum period before burial, unless the deceased had died of an infectious disease and in such cases, the Director General will make the decision on when and how the remains are to be handled.

When embalmed, a body can be stored up to several weeks and arrangements for this are done by the funeral home.  A body which is not embalmed can normally be kept up to 72 hours at all hospitals in Singapore. In exceptional cases, such as those in which the next of kin is not present, permission may be granted to store the body for longer periods at Mortuary@HSA.

Foreigners are allowed to be buried in Singapore only if they are also a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident or if their immediate next-of-kin is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. The National Environment Agency does not approve the import of other foreign person’s remains to Singapore for burial due to the limited size of Singaporean burial grounds. A burial permit is required and can be obtained from the E-Services, National Environment Agency.  Your chosen funeral director will assist you with such an application. The Registry of Births and Deaths or the police may issue a Death Certificate.

(2)    Embalming:

Facilities exist in Singapore for embalming.  Embalming should be completed as soon as possible after death.  Embalming may be performed by any licensed mortician.  The funeral home will assist you with this. A body which is not embalmed can normally be kept up to 72 hours at the mortuary of all hospitals within Singapore.   When embalmed, a body can be stored up to several weeks and arrangement for storage is done by the funeral home.

(3)    Cremation:

Singapore law permits cremation. There are three crematoriums, including a modern crematorium (gas) at Mandai Crematorium, 300 Mandai Road, Singapore.  A letter of authority from the next of kin or their authorized agents is required, as well as a death certificate (issued by either the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the police). with a Cremation Permit. Next-of-kin are advised not to place any valuables in the coffin for cremation as they will be completely destroyed at high temperatures in the cremator. After cremation, the ashes of the deceased can be repatriated, stored at home or in a columbarium, or scattered at sea. Contact the Port Marine Safety Control Centre at telephone number: 6325 2488 for information on scattering of ashes. Note that Singapore law does not allow for the cremation of remains if the deceased’s religion is indicated as Jewish or Muslim on the application, in such cases it is best to indicate the religion as “other”. NOTE: Singaporean cremation procedures do not result in the same sized fine ash as it does in the United States, but in somewhat larger-sized pieces of bone. For an additional charge, the bones can be processed into finer bones or ash. When speaking with a funeral director or associates, our office recommends being politely upfront and specific about what kind of cremation service you would like performed.

(4)     Caskets and Containers:

Caskets and containers as prescribed in 7 FAM 257 – Shipment of Remains to the United States, are obtainable in Singapore and meet the Singapore regulations for shipment out of the country.

(5)    Exportation of Human Remains:

Singapore regulations require that an export permit be obtained before a body may be shipped out of Singapore. The funeral director can assist with such arrangement or you refer to E-Services, National Environment Agency for further information. The deceased’s passport must travel with the body.

(6)    Exportation of Cremated Ashes:

The shipment of a deceased’s ashes does not require an export permit, but the ashes must be placed in a metal lined urn, accompanied by an official death certificate and a cremation certificate.

(7)    Costs: 

All prices are approximated and listed in local currency: Singapore (SGP) dollars. Please contact a funeral home for a quotation.

	SGP Dollars
Local interment without embalming (cost of casket & burial fee, manpower service charge)	3895-8496
Local interment with embalming (cost of casket, embalming & burial fee, manpower fee)	4216-8817
Cremation with embalming (cost of casket, embalming, & cremation fee, manpower fee)	3150-7751
Cremation without embalming (cost of casket & cremation fee)	2882-7483

 

Preparation for shipment:

	SGP Dollars
Cost of casket (variable) and manpower fee	1150-4300
Embalming for export	550-850
Packing & sealing (Wooden packing)	600-1500
Administrative charges & Manpower	1200-1550
Fumigation	150

Air freight charges including document, handling charges and airway bill (unable to quote since it’s dependent on airlines and destinations)

	SGP Dollars
Estimated cost for shipment of remains to the U.S.	7768-15650
Shipment of ashes in urn to U.S.: Air freight	850-1580
Shipment of ashes in urn to U.S.: Cost of urn	200-280

 

(8)     Exhumation and Shipment:

Under the Singapore Statutes Revised Edition 1988, CAP 95 Environmental Public Health Act Section 82, a body may not be exhumed without a license granted by the Commissioner of the Environment or by special court order.    Exhumation is normally not permitted when the death was caused by a dangerous infectious disease or when less than five years have elapsed after burial unless it is determined that there are special reasons requiring exhumation.

Application to exhume must be made by prescribed form to the Commissioner of Environment Public Health, Ministry of Environment. An export permit must be obtained before shipment of exhumed remains.  If exhumed remains are cremated, no export permit is required for shipment of the ashes.

Cost of exhumation, cremation and shipment of ashes in aluminum can be obtained upon request from the funeral director.

(9)     Local Customs Regarding Funerals, Disposition of Remains, Mourning, and Memorial Services:

The funeral home will generally advise on all matters according to the deceased’s religion, personal wishes of the family, and other cultural norms.

As a multi-ethnic society where Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions coexist, funeral rites and ceremonies are available for a wide variety of religions (including Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Taoist and others) depending on the particular affiliation of the family and the wishes of the deceased or the Next-of-Kin.

The Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex, comprised of multiple cemeteries of different faiths, is the only cemetery in Singapore still open for burials.

Given the scarcity of land in Singapore, by law, bodies must be exhumed after 15 years. For those whose religion permits cremation, the exhumed remains will be cremated and stored in columbaria niches. Where compulsory burial is required due to religious reasons, the remains will be re-buried in smaller individual plots.