Coroner’s case at Mortuary@HSA

What to do when a death happens in unknown, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.

Overview

A doctor may report the death to the police if the:

  • cause of death is unknown or unexplained

  • death was unnatural or violent

The case will be referred to a coroner and the police will have to send the body to the Mortuary@HSA for further investigation.

What to expect

Each coroner's case will have a Police Investigating Officer (IO) assigned. The IO will interview the family members of the deceased and guide them on the necessary procedures.

At the Mortuary@HSA, the coroner will review the case and determine if an autopsy is required.

  • If an autopsy is required, the IO will let the next-of-kin know when they can claim the deceased’s body for the funeral.

  • If an autopsy is not required, the next-of-kin can claim the deceased’s body after processing and completing the necessary documents.

If the autopsy reveals that the death is unnatural, the police will need to conduct further investigations into the cause of death. In this case, the family will need to assist with investigations. After the investigation is completed, the police will inform the family to attend a coroner’s inquiry at the Subordinate Courts.

Claiming the body

The IO will let the family know when to go to the Mortuary@HSA to claim the body. Typically, this will be the day after the body is sent to the mortuary.

Mortuary@HSA

Singapore General Hospital, Block 9

Outram Road, Singapore 169608

Operating hours

  • Weekdays: 8am to 4:30pm

  • Weekends and public holidays: 8am to 12:30pm

Before going to the Mortuary@HSA, the family must provide the IO with:

  • all medical documents relating to the deceased

  • all medicine consumed by the deceased

  • the deceased's NRIC, passport, or both

  • NRIC or passport of the person claiming the body

After submitting the required documents, the IO will provide the death document number. The family can claim the deceased's body and download the digital death certificate online . Then, the family may engage a funeral director to:

  1. collect the body from the home or hospital mortuary

  2. send the body for embalming if required

  3. deliver the body to the location of the wake

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