Overseas – Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents
If death has occurred overseas, it should be registered with the relevant foreign authorities where the death occurs.
Step 1:
- Register the cause of Death with the relevant foreign authorities where the death occurs
- Engage Tan Khiam Soon Undertaker to assist in the procedures
Step 2:
- Application of Coffin Permit (import) at Port Health Office or Airport Health Office
- Documents needed for Coffin Permit
- Death Certificate issued by the country where death occurred (copy of English translation is required if the death certificate is in ethnic languages)
- Cause of Death Certificate or a Statutory Declaration

- Sealing Certificate for the coffin
- Embalming Certificate (where applicable)
- Coffin Export Permit from the country exporting the body
- Air Waybill (Air Consignment Note) if by air
Step 3:
- Register the death at Singapore 's Registry of Births & Deaths, Citizen Centre, 3rd Storey, ICA Building personally by the next-of-kin of the deceased
- If the next-of-kin is unable to report the death personally at ICA Building, a letter of authorization will be required
- Documents Required
- Death Certificate issued by the foreign authorities (copy of English translation is required if the death certificate is in ethnic languages)
- Coffin (Import/Export) permit
- Permit to Bury/Cremate
- Deceased's Singapore identity card, passport, Citizenship Certificate (if any), and Informant's identification documents