Division 1 — Death in Singapore
Report of death in Singapore
22. —(1) The death of every person who dies in Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if the death is not, or does not appear to be, a reportable death. (2) The following persons are responsible for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1): ( a ) where the death occurs in a hospital — the hospital (or the person having general management and control of the hospital); ( b ) where the death occurs in any premises (other than in a hospital) — (i) every relative of the deceased person who is present at the death; and (ii) every occupier of the premises who knows of the death in the premises; ( c ) where the death occurs in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) while the conveyance is in Singapore — (i) every relative of the deceased person who is in the conveyance at the time and knows of the death; and (ii) the master of the conveyance; ( d ) where the death occurs in any other place — (i) every relative of the deceased person who knows of the death; (ii) every person who is present at the death; and (iii) every person who takes charge of the body of the deceased person. (3) A person responsible under subsection (2) for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1) (called in this section the responsible person) must, as soon as practicable after the death, report the death to a medical practitioner. (4) Where there is more than one responsible person in respect of a death and any of the responsible persons complies with subsection (3) in respect of the death, the duty of every other responsible person under that subsection in respect of the death is discharged by that compliance. (5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both.
—(1) The death of every person who dies in Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if the death is not, or does not appear to be, a reportable death.
(2) The following persons are responsible for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1): ( a ) where the death occurs in a hospital — the hospital (or the person having general management and control of the hospital); ( b ) where the death occurs in any premises (other than in a hospital) — (i) every relative of the deceased person who is present at the death; and (ii) every occupier of the premises who knows of the death in the premises; ( c ) where the death occurs in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) while the conveyance is in Singapore — (i) every relative of the deceased person who is in the conveyance at the time and knows of the death; and (ii) the master of the conveyance; ( d ) where the death occurs in any other place — (i) every relative of the deceased person who knows of the death; (ii) every person who is present at the death; and (iii) every person who takes charge of the body of the deceased person.
(3) A person responsible under subsection (2) for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1) (called in this section the responsible person) must, as soon as practicable after the death, report the death to a medical practitioner.
(4) Where there is more than one responsible person in respect of a death and any of the responsible persons complies with subsection (3) in respect of the death, the duty of every other responsible person under that subsection in respect of the death is discharged by that compliance.
(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both.
Duties of medical practitioner who receives report of death under section 22(3)
23. —(1) A medical practitioner who receives a report of a death under section 22(3) must, as soon as practicable — ( a ) examine the body of the deceased person; and ( b ) ascertain relevant information about the deceased person’s medical history and the circumstances of the death. (2) If the death is not, or does not appear to be, a reportable death, the medical practitioner must provide the cause of death and the other death particulars to the Registrar‑General within 24 hours after complying with subsection (1). (3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
—(1) A medical practitioner who receives a report of a death under section 22(3) must, as soon as practicable — ( a ) examine the body of the deceased person; and ( b ) ascertain relevant information about the deceased person’s medical history and the circumstances of the death.
(2) If the death is not, or does not appear to be, a reportable death, the medical practitioner must provide the cause of death and the other death particulars to the Registrar‑General within 24 hours after complying with subsection (1).
(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Registration of death in Singapore
24. The Registrar‑General must register the death of a person in Singapore, as soon as practicable — ( a ) where section 23(2) applies — after receiving from a medical practitioner mentioned in that provision the cause of death and the other death particulars; ( b ) where a pathologist or forensic pathologist examines the body of the deceased person — after receiving from the pathologist or forensic pathologist (as the case may be) such death particulars as the pathologist or forensic pathologist (as the case may be) is able to ascertain; or ( c ) where a Coroner’s certificate is issued for the death — after receiving the Coroner’s certificate.
Registration of reportable death in Singapore without Coroner’s certificate
25. —(1) Where the Registrar‑General is informed that a death has occurred in Singapore but that the body of the deceased person is destroyed, is not recoverable or cannot be located, the Registrar‑General may register the death before a Coroner’s certificate is issued for the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied, from the information and evidence made available to the Registrar‑General, as to — ( a ) the occurrence of death in Singapore; and ( b ) the identity of the deceased person. (2) Where a reportable death in Singapore does not require a Coroner’s certificate under the Coroners Act 2010, the Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied, from the information and evidence made available to the Registrar‑General, as to — ( a ) the occurrence of death in Singapore; and ( b ) the identity of the deceased person.
—(1) Where the Registrar‑General is informed that a death has occurred in Singapore but that the body of the deceased person is destroyed, is not recoverable or cannot be located, the Registrar‑General may register the death before a Coroner’s certificate is issued for the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied, from the information and evidence made available to the Registrar‑General, as to — ( a ) the occurrence of death in Singapore; and ( b ) the identity of the deceased person.
(2) Where a reportable death in Singapore does not require a Coroner’s certificate under the Coroners Act 2010, the Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied, from the information and evidence made available to the Registrar‑General, as to — ( a ) the occurrence of death in Singapore; and ( b ) the identity of the deceased person.
Division 2 — Death outside Singapore
Report of death in aircraft, vessel or train bound for Singapore
26. —(1) The death of every person who dies in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) outside, but bound for, Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if — ( a ) the death occurs — (i) in the case of an aircraft — during the flight of the aircraft to an airport or any other place in Singapore; (ii) in the case of a vessel — during the voyage of the vessel to a port or any other place in Singapore; or (iii) in the case of a train — during the passage of the train to a station or any other place in Singapore; and ( b ) the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore, and was not taken to any foreign country or territory during the period between the time of the death and the arrival of the body in Singapore. (2) The following persons are responsible for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1): ( a ) the master of the conveyance in which the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore; ( b ) every relative of the deceased person who knows of the death and arrives in Singapore with the body of the deceased person in the conveyance mentioned in paragraph ( a ). (3) A person responsible under subsection (2) for reporting a death (called in this section the responsible person) must report the death to the police as soon as practicable after the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore. (4) Where there is more than one responsible person in respect of a death and any of the responsible persons complies with subsection (3) in respect of the death, the duty of every other responsible person under that subsection in respect of the death is discharged by that compliance. (5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both.
—(1) The death of every person who dies in an aircraft, a vessel or a train (called in this section the conveyance) outside, but bound for, Singapore must be reported in accordance with this section if — ( a ) the death occurs — (i) in the case of an aircraft — during the flight of the aircraft to an airport or any other place in Singapore; (ii) in the case of a vessel — during the voyage of the vessel to a port or any other place in Singapore; or (iii) in the case of a train — during the passage of the train to a station or any other place in Singapore; and ( b ) the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore, and was not taken to any foreign country or territory during the period between the time of the death and the arrival of the body in Singapore.
(2) The following persons are responsible for reporting a death mentioned in subsection (1): ( a ) the master of the conveyance in which the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore; ( b ) every relative of the deceased person who knows of the death and arrives in Singapore with the body of the deceased person in the conveyance mentioned in paragraph ( a ).
(3) A person responsible under subsection (2) for reporting a death (called in this section the responsible person) must report the death to the police as soon as practicable after the body of the deceased person arrives in Singapore.
(4) Where there is more than one responsible person in respect of a death and any of the responsible persons complies with subsection (3) in respect of the death, the duty of every other responsible person under that subsection in respect of the death is discharged by that compliance.
(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both.
Registration of death in conveyance reported under section 26
27. —(1) A relative of a deceased person whose death is required to be and is reported under section 26 may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered. (2) The application by the relative (called in this section the applicant) under subsection (1) must — ( a ) be made within 3 months after the death; ( b ) be accompanied by a document issued by a medical practitioner (including a pathologist) in Singapore certifying the cause of death; and ( c ) contain the other death particulars for the deceased person. (3) The applicant must also provide to the Registrar‑General any information or evidence the Registrar‑General requires that supports the application, or verifies the accuracy of the matters contained in or accompanying the application, within the time the Registrar‑General requires. (4) The Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied that — ( a ) the applicant has complied with the requirements relating to the application; ( b ) there is no uncertainty or dispute as to the death particulars or registration of the death in Singapore; and ( c ) the death is not registered under any corresponding law of a foreign country or territory.
—(1) A relative of a deceased person whose death is required to be and is reported under section 26 may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered.
(2) The application by the relative (called in this section the applicant) under subsection (1) must — ( a ) be made within 3 months after the death; ( b ) be accompanied by a document issued by a medical practitioner (including a pathologist) in Singapore certifying the cause of death; and ( c ) contain the other death particulars for the deceased person.
(3) The applicant must also provide to the Registrar‑General any information or evidence the Registrar‑General requires that supports the application, or verifies the accuracy of the matters contained in or accompanying the application, within the time the Registrar‑General requires.
(4) The Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied that — ( a ) the applicant has complied with the requirements relating to the application; ( b ) there is no uncertainty or dispute as to the death particulars or registration of the death in Singapore; and ( c ) the death is not registered under any corresponding law of a foreign country or territory.
Registration of death of Singapore citizen or permanent resident outside Singapore
28. —(1) Where a Singapore citizen or permanent resident dies outside Singapore and the body of the deceased person is brought to Singapore, a relative of the deceased person may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered. (2) The application by the relative (called in this section the applicant) under subsection (1) must — ( a ) be made within 3 months after the death; ( b ) be accompanied by a document issued by a medical practitioner (including a pathologist), whether in Singapore or elsewhere, certifying the cause of death; and ( c ) contain the other death particulars for the deceased person. (3) The applicant must also provide to the Registrar‑General any information or evidence the Registrar‑General requires that supports the application, or verifies the accuracy of the matters contained in or accompanying the application, within the time the Registrar‑General requires. (4) The Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied that — ( a ) the applicant has complied with the requirements relating to the application; ( b ) there is no uncertainty or dispute as to the death particulars or registration of the death in Singapore; and ( c ) the death is not registered under any corresponding law of a foreign country or territory. (5) This section does not apply to a death that is required to be reported under section 26. (6) In subsection (2)( b ), “medical practitioner” includes any person who is authorised to practise as a medical practitioner in a foreign country or territory under the law of that country or territory.
—(1) Where a Singapore citizen or permanent resident dies outside Singapore and the body of the deceased person is brought to Singapore, a relative of the deceased person may apply to the Registrar‑General for the death to be registered.
(2) The application by the relative (called in this section the applicant) under subsection (1) must — ( a ) be made within 3 months after the death; ( b ) be accompanied by a document issued by a medical practitioner (including a pathologist), whether in Singapore or elsewhere, certifying the cause of death; and ( c ) contain the other death particulars for the deceased person.
(3) The applicant must also provide to the Registrar‑General any information or evidence the Registrar‑General requires that supports the application, or verifies the accuracy of the matters contained in or accompanying the application, within the time the Registrar‑General requires.
(4) The Registrar‑General may register the death if the Registrar‑General is satisfied that — ( a ) the applicant has complied with the requirements relating to the application; ( b ) there is no uncertainty or dispute as to the death particulars or registration of the death in Singapore; and ( c ) the death is not registered under any corresponding law of a foreign country or territory.
(5) This section does not apply to a death that is required to be reported under section 26.
(6) In subsection (2)( b ), “medical practitioner” includes any person who is authorised to practise as a medical practitioner in a foreign country or territory under the law of that country or territory.
Registration of death under Coroner’s certificate
29. If a Coroner’s certificate is issued for a death that occurs outside Singapore (including a death mentioned in section 26 or 28), the Registrar‑General must register the death as soon as practicable after receiving the Coroner’s certificate.
Division 3 — Related matters
Coroner’s certificate issued after death registration
30. If the Registrar‑General receives a Coroner’s certificate for a death after the death has been registered, the Registrar‑General must, as soon as practicable after receiving the Coroner’s certificate — ( a ) where the death particulars stated in the Coroner’s certificate are not entered in the register of deaths — enter those death particulars in the register; and ( b ) where the death particulars stated in the Coroner’s certificate differ from the death particulars entered in the register — alter the record of the death in the register in accordance with the Coroner’s certificate.
Duty to report death under other written law not affected
31. This Part does not affect the duty of any person to report a death under any other written law.
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (Attorney-General's Chambers), © Government of Singapore.
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