The A.S.K. a funeral services provider checklist helps facilitate the making of informed decisions by consumers (next-of-Kin/bereaved family members) when engaging funeral services providers. This checklist was developed by the Competition & Consumer Commission Singapore (CCS). It was part of a CCS market study with the support of the National Environment Agency on funeral services in Singapore to identify potential competition and consumer protection issues that could arise during the purchase of funeral products.
The checklist encourages consumers to:
- Ascertain and consider the wishes of the deceased and the deceased’s family when making funeral purchases.
- Seek important answers from the funeral services provider, so that you know what you pay for.
- Know useful sources of information you can refer to, so that you can make an informed decision.
In selecting a funeral services provider, families that opt to have their loved ones' body embalmed can refer to this list of licensed funeral parlour with embalming facilities. Funeral parlours with embalming facilities are licensed by the National Environment Agency, so as to uphold environmental hygiene standards.
If the deceased person is deemed by a medical practitioner (doctor) to have contracted highly infectious diseases, only funeral services providers that have undergone the Basic Infection Control Course (BICC), conducted by National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) should manage the infected deceased person. BICC equips the funeral services providers with basic infection control knowledge to handle deceased persons with highly infectious diseases.
The following are some other points to consider:
Funeral Wake
Decide on the location and duration of the funeral wake. Wakes can be held at a funeral parlour, void deck, or house for example.
If you are holding the wake at a Town Council-managed void deck, multi-purpose hall or pavilion, you will need to obtain a permit from your Town Council. If you need to use the adjacent surface parking lots for the wake, you will need to apply to HDB by visiting the managing HDB Branch or calling the HDB Branch Service Line at 6225 5432
If you are holding the wake in a private/landed property and need to use the public roads and/or walkways, you will need to apply for a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) from Singapore Land Authority (SLA) at and pay the prevailing TOL fee. Applicants will be required to comply with the requirements of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Traffic Police (TP). A separate application with LTA and TP is not required.
If you need to use State land managed by Singapore Land Authority (SLA) for the funeral wake, you will need to apply for a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) from Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and pay the prevailing TOL fee.
For use of parking lots managed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for funeral wakes, you may submit your application to URA directly at www.ura.gov.sg. Please note that all use of parking lots must be applied and approved by URA prior to the use.
When holding funeral wakes, please be considerate to others and consider the following:
· Advise your attendees to park their vehicles at designated parking lots.
· Deploy traffic marshals to facilitate traffic movements if the need arises.
· Minimise any inconvenience to other stakeholders when holding the funeral wake.
If the funeral wake extends to more than 7 days after death, there should be prior written permission obtained from the National Environment Agency (NEA).
You can submit a request to the NEA:
- Online via the NEA ePortal
- Write to NEA
National Environment Agency
Memorial Facilities & Planning Division
40 Scotts Road
Environment Building, #21-00
Singapore 228231
Burial/ Cremation
Your funeral director can help you make an application for the Permit to Bury/Cremate.
In scenarios where the next-of-kin is unable to obtain a digital death certificate, they can use any of the written confirmation of death documents for the application of Permit to Bury/Cremate (specimen of each of the various documents)
Thereafter, your funeral director can help you make the booking of a slot for cremation or burial. Bookings can also be done via NEA ePortal, over the phone, or at the relevant booking office. The NRIC of the applicant and next-of-kin, as well as the digital death certificate and the Permit to Bury/Cremate is required to book a slot for burial or cremation.
Please note that if the deceased is to be cremated, any valuables placed in the coffin will not be recoverable after cremation.
Ash Management
Sea Scattering
After cremation, bereaved families may consider scattering the ashes of loved ones at sea. The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has designated a site located 3.2 km east of Raffles Lighthouse, where sea scattering can be conducted. This can be done daily, from 7am to 7pm. For more information, please contact the MPA’s Port Marine Safety Control Centre at 6325 2488.
Pilot Ferry Service for Scattering at Sea
NEA will launch a two-year pilot ferry service in the second half of 2027, offering bereaved families a more accessible option for sea scattering. The pilot ferry service will operate weekly and be managed by an operator appointed by NEA. Each trip may accommodate up to eight groups of up to six persons each on a shared vessel, offering a cost-effective option for families. A fee of S$50 per application applies. Further details on the pilot ferry service, including the sea scattering site, booking arrangements and procedures, will be released closer to the commencement of operations.
Inland Ash Scattering
Bereaved families may also consider Inland Ash Scattering (IAS) at IAS facilities - the Garden of Peace located within Choa Chu Kang Cemetery or the Garden of Serenity within Mandai North Crematorium. Sessions are available daily from 9am to 5.30pm daily. Bookings can be made via the NEA ePortal, or in person at our service counters, with the required documents. More information on ash scattering facilities.
Storage at home or at columbaria
Alternatively, the ashes of the deceased may be stored at home or in a columbarium. Niches are available at two government-managed columbaria and many other private columbaria. You will need to bring your NRIC and the digital death certificate to book a niche at one of the government-managed columbaria. Booking of niches in government-managed columbaria may also be done over the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Pertaining to Funeral Arrangements
Q: Can my family choose not to hold a funeral wake, before the cremation or burial?
A: Yes, it is entirely up to the choice of families on the types of funeral services they wish to carry out for their deceased loved ones. Some families may opt for "direct cremation" or "direct burial", where the body is sent for cremation or burial shortly after passing. Families may conduct simple prayer services at home, or at the crematorium service hall, before the cremation. Some families may also choose to hold the memorial service after the cremation, i.e. the ashes are present at the memorial instead of the body.
Q: What is embalming, and is it necessary?
A: Embalming is a procedure carried out to delay decomposition of the body. The bodily fluids are removed, and are replaced with formaldehyde-based chemical solutions that will delay decomposition. It may be necessary, if you select certain arrangements, such as a funeral with viewing, or with an open casket. It is also typically done when the body is to be transported over long distances or across borders.
If you do not want embalming, you may choose an arrangement that does not require viewing. A funeral wake may still be held, as long as the body is placed in a hermetically sealed coffin (without a viewing window), for a period not exceeding 7 days after the death.
Note: Embalming is allowed for all COVID-19 deceased regardless of time from infection, i.e. no stipulation on number of days from first positive test. If embalmed, open casket wakes are allowed.
Q: What are the usual components in a funeral package?
A: The types of services/products in a funeral arrangement will vary, depending on the religious beliefs, preferences of the family (including those expressed by the deceased before their passing) and customs. Families are advised to make their own enquiries ad seek independent advice where applicable.
LifeSG supports citizens to plan and prepare for end-of-life matters.