If the death occurred overseas

What to do if someone dies in another country outside of Singapore.

Overview

You must register the death with the local authorities in the country where the person has died and get a death certificate.

By contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission in the country, they can help you with:

  • how to register the death with respective local authorities

  • the burial or cremation options in that country

  • how to bring the body or ashes back to Singapore

All costs have to be paid for by the family.

Step 1: Report the death to local authorities

Contact MFA or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission for help with death registration in a foreign country and the repatriation of remains back to Singapore.

What to do after contacting MFA or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission

Notify the insurance company immediately if the deceased had bought a travel insurance plan that covers death overseas and the repatriation of remains.

  • Decide who will travel overseas to identify the body, register the death, and handle the repatriation of remains.

  • Decide if you want to hire a funeral director to help with the repatriation of remains.

  • Engage a funeral director in the country where the death has occurred and in Singapore to help with funeral arrangements.

Find out what MFA can help with

You might have learnt the death of a relative or a friend through a tour operator, the media, or a third party. You should contact either:

  • Consular Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs +65 6379 8800

  • MFA Duty Office +65 6379 8800

Get help from your tour guide or local police to contact either:

Step 2: Register the death overseas

There will be different procedures depending on the country where the death has occurred. Your tour guide, the local police, or the consular MFA officers can advise you on how to register the death overseas.

Important documents to bring

  • The deceased’s NRIC and passport

  • Your NRIC and passport

If you are not a relative of the deceased, check that you have the name and contact of the deceased’s next-of-kin.

Make sure that the deceased's name on the death certificate is identical to the name shown in the deceased's passport.

You will need to get an English translation of the death certificate if it is issued in another language. All documents in languages other than English must be a certified English translation made by a Notary Public.

Step 3: Decide how to bring the deceased’s remains home

There are different procedures for bringing the person's remains home. Read more about what to do if you are:

Step 4: Report the death to ICA

Upon your return to Singapore, the deceased's next-of-kin should report the death to the Registry of Births and Deaths.

If a next-of-kin is unable to report the death, a representative can be authorised to report the death to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) via a letter of authorisation from the deceased's family.

Although there is no specified time frame as to when you must report the death, reporting the death to ICA is a necessary step for dealing with money, inheritance, and account closures later on.

  1. Submit the Reporting of Overseas Death form

  2. Verify deceased’s particulars in ICA acknowledgement letterThe acknowledgement letter or email from ICA may be a required document for handling money, wills and inheritance later on.

If you have further questions, please submit an enquiry to ICA .