Checklist: What to Do Next When Your Loved One Has Passed Away
The first 24 to 48 hours involve several time-sensitive steps. You do not need to do everything at once, but knowing the right sequence and relying on the help of other family members can help you move through each task with greater clarity.
Step 1: Confirm the Death and Obtain a Death Notification
The first step is to have the death certified by a registered doctor. If no doctor is present, call the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at 995.
If the death was sudden, unexpected, or unattended, meaning no doctor was present, and the cause is unclear, call the police at 999 immediately. Do not move the body until the authorities have attended to the scene. Once the cause of death has been determined, the doctor will issue a Notice of Death, which is required for the next step.
Step 2: Register the Death and Download the Death Certificate
In Singapore, a death must be registered within 24 hours. In most cases, the attending doctor will submit the cause of death digitally through the Electronic Death Registration System (eDRS). The family then completes the registration process at any ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) Service Centre.
Once registration is complete, the Death Certificate can be downloaded via the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal or through SingPass. Make sure to save a digital copy and print several physical copies, as banks, insurers, government agencies, and CPF will require them.
Step 3: Contact Your Funeral Service Provider
With the death certified and registered, you can begin making funeral arrangements. A reliable funeral service provider will guide your family through the process, handle logistics, and ensure that the ceremony reflects their faith and wishes, whether that is a Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, or non-religious send-off.
For families who prefer a simpler, no-frills arrangement, cremation services, known in the industry as a straight case, are also available. At Singapore Funeral Enterprise, we provide affordable funeral service packages across all major faith traditions, including Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, and Catholic rites, as well as non-religious ceremonies and straight case arrangements. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and maintain full control over every aspect of service delivery, from setup through to ceremony coordination.
Step 4: Notify Employers, Family, and Key Contacts
Next, inform close family members and friends when you are ready. If they were employed, notify their employer, as this may be relevant for CPF contributions, group insurance, and any outstanding salary or leave encashment. If they were a public servant, there may be additional protocols to follow.
Step 5: Secure the Home and Gather Important Documents
Before anything is cleared or distributed, secure the home and locate the following documents:
- NRIC and passport
- Will (if one exists)
- CPF statements and insurance policies
- Bank books and investment statements
- Property and vehicle ownership documents
Do not discard or give away personal belongings until the estate of the deceased has been formally settled. This protects beneficiaries and prevents disputes later on.
Beyond the Funeral: How to Settle the Estate After Death
Once the funeral has taken place, you and your family can now move into the longer process of estate administration, handling the legal, financial, and administrative matters left behind. The MyLegacy@LifeSG portal is a helpful resource that consolidates many of these tasks in one place.
Here is what you will need to work through.
Locate the Will and Apply for the Relevant Grant
The first question in estate administration is whether a valid will exists. Check with your loved one’s lawyer, any bank safe custody arrangement, or the Wills Registry maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law.
- If a will exists: The named executor should apply for a Grant of Probate through the Family Justice Courts, authorising them to distribute the estate according to the will.
- If no will exists: The estate will be distributed under the Intestate Succession Act. A family member must apply for a Letter of Administration to manage and distribute the assets.
- For Muslim estates: Distribution will follow a separate framework under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) and will be handled through the Syariah Court.
Handle CPF Nominations and Claims
It is worth noting early on that CPF savings are not governed by a will. Unlike other assets, they are distributed solely based on nominations the deceased made with the CPF Board during their lifetime.
- If a nomination exists: The nominated beneficiaries file a claim directly with the CPF Board.
- If no nomination exists: CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee’s Office, which distributes them according to intestacy rules. This means the assets are divided among next-of-kin in a fixed order and proportion as defined by the Intestate Succession Act, regardless of any informal wishes expressed by your loved one.
This is one of the more time-sensitive financial steps to take upon the passing, as CPF accounts are separate from the general estate.
File Insurance Claims
Next, contact all relevant insurance providers with the Death Certificate and original policy documents. Most insurers will require a completed claims form and proof of the claimant’s identity. If you are unsure which insurers your loved one held policies with, check their email inbox, physical files, or CPF statements, as some policies are linked to CPF contributions.
Handle Property and Vehicle Inheritance
Alongside insurance, it is important to address any property or vehicles your loved one owned, as these are among the more complex assets to transfer.
HDB Flat
How the flat is handled depends on the ownership structure. Under:
Joint tenancy: Ownership passes automatically to the surviving owner. Please notify HDB within the required timeframe to update the records.
Tenancy-in-common: Your loved one’s share forms part of the estate and is distributed according to the will or intestacy rules.
Sole ownership: It is dealt with under the will or, in the absence of one, the intestacy rules. You will need to engage a lawyer to manage the transfer.
Private Property
Similar principles apply to private property. Notify the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and engage a lawyer to update ownership records accordingly.
Vehicle
Notify the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of the passing. The vehicle may then be transferred to a beneficiary or sold. If an outstanding car loan exists, inform the lender promptly, as the estate remains liable for the debt. Keep in mind that transfers must be completed within a stipulated period to avoid penalties.
Cancel or Transfer Key Accounts and Documents
Beyond the major assets, estate administration also involves working through a series of smaller but equally important account closures and transfers. Knowing what to do with each of the following when someone dies will help you avoid loose ends:
- NRIC: Surrender to ICA.
- Passport: Cancel the old passport with the ICA to prevent misuse.
- Bank accounts: Notify each bank of the Death Certificate. Sole accounts will be frozen and dealt with under the estate; joint accounts are handled separately, depending on the account structure
- Utilities: Notify SP Group to transfer or terminate electricity and gas accounts.
- Phone and broadband: Contact the relevant telco to cancel or transfer the line
- SingPass: Report the passing to GovTech, so your loved one’s SingPass account can be deactivated.
- Digital accounts and social media: Platforms like Facebook allow accounts to be memorialised or removed. Check each platform’s bereavement process individually.
Settle Outstanding Liabilities
Finally, before any assets are distributed to beneficiaries, all outstanding debts must be settled first. This includes credit card balances, personal loans, mortgage arrears, and income tax obligations. Notify IRAS as early as possible, and formally inform all other creditors in writing. If the debts outweigh the value of the estate, it is advisable to consult a lawyer before taking any further steps.
Taking It One Step at a Time
Knowing what to do financially when someone dies, alongside all the emotional weight of loss, is a lot to carry. The steps above cover a significant amount of ground, and it is entirely normal for estate administration to take several weeks or even months to complete. You do not need to rush.
Singapore Funeral Enterprise provides affordable funeral services in Singapore, and we are here to support your family through every stage, from funeral arrangements to navigating what comes after. With decades of frontline experience, an in-house team of 18 trained professionals, and a commitment to transparent and affordable pricing, we are here whenever you need us.
We offer a free, no-obligation 45-minute face-to-face consultation. Reach out to us at 8968 9898, available by phone and WhatsApp, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, fill in our contact form, and we will arrange a callback at a time that suits you.