As of 2019, the death rate in Singapore was 3.4 per 1,000 people. This means that for every 1,000 people in Singapore, 3.4 of them will die. If you are in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, there are a few things you should be prepared to do. Depending on the circumstances, there may be minor differences in each of the steps below, but the basic process is relatively the same. If you need extra help managing the death of a loved one, consider using Harmony Funeral Services of http://www.singaporefuneralservices.sg. Their Singapore team has resources to ease your stress and support you every step of the way.
Following the steps below will ensure you know what to do when someone dies at home, at night, if they were abroad, if it was sudden or unexpected, or even if the death was the result of a long illness.
- Obtain a death certificate from the relevant authorities.
- Notify the deceased’s next of kin.
- Make arrangements for the body, including transport to the funeral home and any necessary preparation.
- Make arrangements for any children or pets that were left behind.
- Secure the deceased’s assets and belongings.
- Carry out the deceased’s final wishes, if any.
- Make funeral and burial arrangements.
- Settle the deceased’s estate.
1. Obtain a death certificate from the relevant authorities
It is important to have legal documentation of death for several reasons, such as accessing bank and other financial accounts, starting the probate process (if necessary), filing a claim on life insurance and tending to other personal affairs. You will need several copies of the death certificate, which you can get from a funeral home or a medical examiner. Obtaining the death certificate should happen relatively soon after the passing, usually within a matter of days.
2. Notify the Deceased’s Next of Kin
The next of kin is usually the closest surviving relative of the deceased, such as a spouse, child, parent or sibling. Once you have the death certificate, youll need to notify the next of kin so they can begin to make arrangements. You can do this in person, by phone or by mail. If youre not sure who the next of kin is, you can check with the funeral home, the deceaseds lawyer or the executor of the estate.
3. Make Arrangements for the Body
Once the next of kin has been notified, theyll need to make arrangements for the body. This includes transport to the funeral home and any necessary preparation, like embalming. The funeral home will be able to help with all of these details.
4. Make Arrangements for Children or Pets
If the deceased has any children or pets, arrangements will need to be made for their care. This may include finding a new home for the pets and making arrangements for the children to stay with relatives or friends.
5. Secure the Deceased’s Assets and Belongings
Once the next of kin has been notified and the arrangements for the body have been made, theyll need to start looking after the deceaseds assets and belongings. This includes notifying creditors, filing a estate plan if there is one and selling any assets that will generate income.
6. Carry Out Decedent’s Wishes
If you haven’t already located the Will and any other estate planning documents, now is the time to do so. These might be able to help you as you begin planning a memorial or funeral (which we’ll cover in the next step). Often, Wills specify the type of ceremony that’s desired, including who should be invited and other important end of life decisions.
7. Make Funeral Plans
Once the assets have been secured and the funeral arrangements are complete, it’s time to make funeral plans. This includes deciding on a memorial service, who will officiate and what kind of reception will be held afterwards. With a little planning, you can create an unforgettable tribute to the deceased.
Though planning a funeral will probably be exhausting, it must be done. Follow the steps below to make sure you do everything you need in order to fully honor your loved one. And the most important part of this step is to know that it’s OK to ask for help.
- Write the obituary/death announcement –
Writing an obituary or death announcement can be painful, but it’s often cathartic, too. There are many resources out there to help you write an obituary and death announcement, but remember that you knew your loved one best, and there really aren’t any rules about what you can or can’t do. Meaningful, heartfelt expressions are always the best route.
- Deciding the type of Burial and location
If you are planning a funeral service, you will need to coordinate various arrangements. This includes deciding whether there will be a burial, and how people will travel from the service to the graveside.
- Sending out invites and RSVPs for the memorial service
Invite friends and family to the memorial service by email, phone, or through a death announcement in the newspaper. Include all of the details of the service so that everyone is aware of what to expect.
- Settle Logistics
You will need to coordinate various tasks for the funeral, such as flowers, food and drink, and so on. You will need to decide things like where the funeral will be held, how large it will be, and so on.
