Embalming
What is embalming?
Embalming is the thorough
disinfection and preservation
of the deceased's body. Embalming
helps preserve the body from decay.
It also restores and presents
the body in presentable form.
Contrary to beliefs, internal
organs are not removed when the
body is embalmed.
Is embalming required
by law?
No, embalming is not
required by law.
However, if the family opts to
allow viewing of the deceased
during the funeral wake, embalming
is advisable. Otherwise, the dead
body may also be placed in a hermetically
sealed coffin, for up to 7 days
before burial or cremation.
Regardless whether embalming
is carried out or not, written
permission from Director-General
Public Health is required to
retain a dead body for any period
exceeding 7 days after death.
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Funerals
Can I have a funeral procession
on the road?
A permit from the police may be required depending on the
situation.
You may wish to refer to website
of the Traffic
Police for more details.
How late in the night
can I continue with the funeral
rites?
Please conclude the funeral
rites by 10:30 p.m daily.
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Cremated
Ashes
Can I keep the cremated
ashes of the deceased at home?
Yes.
Can I scatter the cremated
ashes of the deceased in the sea?
The scattering of small
amounts of ashes can be carried
out at the designated site located
about 1.5 nautical miles (2.8
km) south of Pulau Semakau. The
scattering of ashes can be conducted
daily, from 0700 hrs-1900 hours.
For further information on scattering
of ashes, please call the Port
Marine Safety Control Centre at
telephone number: 6325 2488.
Do I need a coffin permit
to take the cremated ashes in
or out of Singapore?
No. A Coffin Permit is
not required to take the
cremated ashes in or out of Singapore
.
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Export
How do I export the body
of a deceased out of Singapore?
A Coffin (Export) Permit
is required to take the body of
a deceased out of Singapore .
The permit can be applied at either
of the two Port Health Offices,
which are open 24 hours a day.
Each permit costs $10.
I.
Port Health Office
4545 Jalan Bukit Merah
Singapore 159466
Tel:
6222 2585
Fax:
6222 8543
II.
Airport Health Office
Singapore Changi Airport
Tel: 6543 2515
Fax: 6543 1973
Please bring the following documents
for the issuance of the coffin
permit:
I.
Certificate of Registration
of Death
II.
Sealing Certificate for the
coffin
III.
Embalming Certificate
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For export of still-birth (above
28 gestation weeks), the Certificate
of Still-birth should indicate the
name of the deceased as Still-born/Child
of <name of parent>.
For export of foetus (below 28 gestation
weeks), no permit is required. |
