Must You Report and Register a Death in Singapore?

Last updated on October 11, 2024

While mourning deaths is part of life, an often overlooked aspect of Singapore’s laws is the legal requirements surrounding the registration of deaths. However, the subject was thrown into the spotlight with the introduction of the new Registration of Births and Deaths Act (RBDA) 2021 which came into effect on 29 May 2022.

This article highlights the relevant laws under the RBDA and will explain:

Whether you must report and register a death in Singapore
Who is responsible for reporting and registering a death
The procedure for reporting and registering a death
What are the penalties for not reporting and registering a death

Must I Report and Register a Death in Singapore?

What is the difference between reporting and registering a death?

Reporting and registering happens sequentially after somebody passes away. In general, upon the death of a person, the death must be reported to a medical practitioner as soon as practicable.

The Registrar-General will automatically register the death of a person after the death is reported.

Who is Responsible for Reporting and Registering a Death?

Reporting deaths

As above, the person(s) responsible for reporting a death depends on where it occurs. The following table contains the details of the situations described in the RBDA and the corresponding person(s) who would be responsible:

If the death occurs…	*The person(s) responsible for reporting the death would be…**
In a hospital	The hospital.
In any premises (other than in a hospital)	Every relative of the deceased person who is present at the death; and Every occupier of the premises who knows of the death in the premises.
In an aircraft, a vessel or a train while it is in, or bound for, Singapore	Every relative of the deceased person who is present at the time and knows of the death; and The captain of the aircraft or the person having control or charge of the vessel or train.
In any other place	Every relative of the deceased person who knows of the death; Every person who is present at the death; and Every person who takes charge of the body of the deceased person.

* Where more than one person is listed as being responsible for reporting the death and any of the responsible persons reports the death, the duty of every other responsible person is discharged.

Registering deaths

The registration of a death in Singapore falls squarely on the Registrar-General, who must register the death as soon as practicable upon receiving the death particulars from a medical practitioner, pathologist, forensic pathologist, or upon receiving the Coroner’s certificate where it is issued.

A Coroner’s certificate will be issued upon the completion of a Coroner’s inquiry, which is an inquiry conducted by a Coroner into the circumstances surrounding the death of certain persons. For example, where the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, or the cause of death is unknown.

In the event that a Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident passes away 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.

What is the Procedure for Reporting and Registering a Death?

Reporting deaths

For a person responsible for reporting a death, he/she must report the death by calling a medical practitioner or the police as soon as practicable.

Registering deaths

With regard to the registration of a death in Singapore, after the medical practitioner certifies the death online and a digital death certificate is generated, the death will be automatically registered by the Registrar-General. The digital death certificate can be downloaded by the next-of-kin via the MyLegacy Portal within 30 days of its issuance.

In the event of the death of a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident outside Singapore, or in an aircraft, train or vessel bound for Singapore, the relative must make an application to the Registrar-General for the death to be registered within 3 months after the death.

The medical practitioner must be based in Singapore if the deceased had passed away in an aircraft, train or vessel bound for Singapore. Otherwise, for the reporting of deaths of Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents outside Singapore, the medical practitioner can be based in either Singapore or elsewhere.

What are the Penalties for Not Reporting and Registering a Death?

It is an offence for any person responsible for reporting a deceased person’s death to not report the death as soon as practicable. Upon conviction, the person shall be liable to a fine of up to $1,500 and/or to a maximum jail term of 1 month.

As above, the reporting of one of the responsible persons discharges the others from their duty to report. However, unlike registration of birth, there is no offence for not registering a death as the Registrar-General is solely responsible for this.

Must I Report and Register the Birth of a Stillborn Child in Singapore?

The rules regarding the reporting and registration of birth of a stillborn child in Singapore are identical to the rules for reporting and registration of a death in Singapore, as discussed above.

This includes the persons responsible for reporting/registering the birth of the stillborn child, the procedures involved and the potential penalties for non-compliance with the rules.

You may wish to read our other article on reporting and registering a birth in Singapore, which covers in detail the reporting and registering of stillbirths as well as the naming of stillborn children.

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As the reporting and registration process is relatively straightforward, you should be able to do so even without the assistance of a lawyer. However, if you choose to consult a lawyer, the lawyer may be able to help clarify the rules surrounding the registration of deaths in Singapore, and advise you on how to proceed so as to avoid unwittingly committing any offences.

You may get in touch with experienced lawyers here.