Important next steps
Each country has its own rules about departing with human ashes, so there may be additional requirements. Contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission for advice.
You do not need a permit to bring human ashes back to Singapore.
Getting help overseas
If you wish to bring human ashes back to Singapore, MFA or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission can help put you in touch with the funeral services available in that country for cremation and urn options.
Urn size requirements
When choosing an urn, consider where you may wish the place the urn when you get home.
Check that the urn fits the niche in the columbarium or location you have chosen for the urn.
Note: choose a non-metallic urn so that they can be x-rayed during security screenings or immigration checkpoints.
Documents to prepare
When leaving a country with human ashes, you will normally need to show the:
death certificate issued by the local authorities of the country where the person died
cremation certificate
Travel preparations
To bring the ashes home, you’ll have to:
place the ashes in a covered, non-metallic urn or container during travel
make sure that a copy of the death certificate and cremation certificate is accompanying the urn during travel. They must be in English
contact the airline to find out whether you can carry the ashes as hand luggage or as checked-in luggage
Each country has its own rules about departing with human ashes and there may be additional requirements. Contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission for advice.