Bringing the body home

What to do when bringing a casket back to Singapore for burial or cremation.

Important next steps

  1. Make sure the size of the casket fits requirements for cremation or burial in Singapore

  2. Apply for a Coffin Import Permit

  3. Prepare required documents to accompany the casket back to Singapore

How to bring the body back

If you wish to bring the body back to Singapore, MFA officers can help put you in touch with funeral services available in that country. This is so they can assist with repatriation procedures and casket options.

Bringing the body of a non-Singapore citizen back to Singapore

  • Foreigners can be cremated in Singapore, but must have a niche purchased from a private columbarium.

  • Foreigners can be buried only if their next-of-kin is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident (PR).

Learn about cremation and burial for foreigners

Steps to bring the casket back to Singapore

Step number 1

Check if casket fits size requirements

  • Cremation : 60cm (width), 210 cm (length), height (56 cm)

  • Burial : 90 cm (width), 210 cm (length), no restriction for height

If the casket is unable to fit the cremation chamber or burial plot, there will be additional cost for the body to be transferred to another casket.

Step number 2

Apply for the Coffin Import Permit

This document is required for the clearance of the coffin. You can apply for the Coffin Import Permit online , and it costs $17.50. The Permit to Bury or Cremate will be issued with the Coffin Import Permit at no extra charge.

The Permit to Bury or Cremate will be issued with the Coffin Import Permit at no extra charge. If you have any issues when applying, refer to the Port Health Office’s website .

Step number 3

Prepare documents to accompany the casket back to Singapore

  • Death certificate issued by the local authorities where the person died

  • Sealing certificate to verify that the casket is airtight and metal-lined

  • Embalming certificate (if applicable)

  • Coffin import permit issued by Singapore

  • Coffin export permit issued by the country of origin to authorise the export of the body

  • Airway bill (optional)

  • Letter of Authorisation (if the application is not submitted by the deceased's next-of-kin)

You will need to get an English translation of the above documents if they are issued in other languages. Translations from private organisations are accepted.

Check with your funeral director, MFA, or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission if there are other documents required by the local authorities in the country where the person has died.

To facilitate the clearance of the coffin into Singapore

  • Make sure there is at least 1 copy of the death certificate (in English) accompanying the casket during travel

  • Inform the embassy, consular MFA officers, or Singapore Overseas Mission about the date and flight number of the coffin so they can inform the NEA Port Health Office

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