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If the death occurs in a hospital
Step 1: Obtain Certificate of Cause of Death (CCOD)
When a death occurs, a doctor at the hospital can certify the cause of death if the cause of death is known AND the cause is natural. He will then fill up the CCOD and hand it to the ward nurse. The family can obtain the CCOD from the ward nurse by producing the identity card of the deceased.
If the 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 the Centre for Forensic Medicine (CFM) Mortuary (located at Block 9 Singapore General Hospital) in a Police Hearse. The hospital will arrange for this to be done. The family will be told by the Police when to go down to the CFM Mortuary (this is usually on the next day).
What to Bring to CFM Mortuary:
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- All medical documents relating to the deceased
All medicine consumed by the deceased
- Identification papers of the deceased and informant e.g. NRIC/Passport/Certificate of Registration of Birth/ FIN card
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At the CFM Mortuary
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- 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.
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Step 2: Engage a Funeral Director
After the Certificate of Cause of Death has been obtained, the family may engage a funeral director who will
(i) collect the body from the hospital mortuary
(ii) send the body for embalming (if required), and
(iii) deliver the body to the location of the wake
Step 3: Register The Death (this could be done simultaneously with Step 2)
Prior to registration, the family should decide whether the body will be cremated or buried as this information is required when registering the death.
Government Restructured Hospitals
If the body is in a government restructured hospital, the registration can be done at the hospital (consult the ward nurse where to do the registration). The Certificate of Cause of Death will have to be produced to register the death.
- Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital
- Alexandra Hospital
- Changi General Hospital
- KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital
- National University Hospital
- Singapore General Hospital
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Private Hospitals
If the body is in a private hospital, then the family will have to register the death at
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The Registry of Births & Deaths
3rd floor, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road S(208718)
Tel: 6391 6100
| Working hours |
8am - 5pm (Mon - Fri)
8am - 1pm (Sat) |
What to Bring to Register a Death:
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- Certificate of Cause of Death
Identification papers of deceased and informant e.g. NRIC/ Passport/ Certificate of Registration of Birth/ FIN card |
If the body is referred to the CFM Mortuary, the death will be registered at the CFM Mortuary.
You may refer to Arranging a Funeral for more information.
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