The full C.A.L.M. guide — what to do when someone dies in Singapore
C.A.L.M. is a four-step framework for the first 24 hours after a death in Singapore: Call for Help, Alert Family, Locate Documents, Make Arrangements. Work through them in order. You do not need to solve everything at once.
C — Call for Help
Get a doctor to certify the death
The first thing you need is a doctor to certify the death and issue the death cert (also known as a ). Nothing else moves without this.
- If at home — call a doctor for a house visitMost family doctors don't do house calls for this — call Speedoc directly. +65 6909 7799 (24/7). This will take around two hours to settle. Cost: S$400–500 before GST.
- If at hospital / hospice / nursing home — the on-site team handles itThe institution's medical team will manage certification. The assigned Medical Doctor will issue the death certificate. This will take around one hour to settle.
- Download the digital copy of the death certificate from mylegacy.life.gov.sgUsually ready within 30 minutes of certification. Certain institutions and processes require a death certificate to proceed.
Important: Do NOT call an ambulance (995) for a home death — you might need to pay for the transport fee as well. Do NOT call the police unless foul play is suspected or the death is sudden and unexplained.
A — Alert Close Family and Friends
Inform the right people and appoint one coordinator
Once the death cert is being worked on, focus on people. Appoint up to three people max to handle the immediate operations.
- Inform close and trusted individuals firstDon't break the news by text or group chat first.
- Appoint one main coordinatorSingle point of contact for the funeral director, venue, and religious parties.
- If coordinator is overseas, appoint a ground backup immediatelyDon't leave things unmanaged while waiting for someone to fly back.
- Surface any pre-plans, funeral wishes, or insurance detailsThis shapes all the decisions that follow.
- Create a dedicated coordination group chat3–5 people max. Don't use the extended family group chat.
Tip: The coordinator doesn't need to be the eldest. Choose whoever is calmest under pressure.
L — Locate Important Documents
Gather what's needed for funeral and religious coordination
Gather these while you still have access to the deceased's home. Start with what you can find — most missing documents can be retrieved later.
- NRIC or ID of the deceased (required)Needed for funeral arrangements and venue bookings.
- Death Certificate or (required)Have a digital copy on your phone if you're the coordinator.
- Pre-bought funeral or columbarium package documentsReceipts, contracts, booking papers. Honour these first — they exist to remove decisions from the family.
- Religious documents or certificationsBaptism certificates, temple membership, mosque or Hindu temple records. Contact the religious institution if documents are missing.
- Important contact listFamily lawyer, religious leader, insurance agent, funeral director.
- A clear, recent photo of the deceased (required)Needed for the funeral portrait, obituary, and columbarium nameplate.
Tip: Can't find everything? Start with what you have. Most documents can be retrieved within a day or two.
M — Make First Arrangements
Engage a funeral director and confirm the basics
With the death certificate in hand, you're ready to engage a funeral director and start confirming the practical arrangements. Kenneth arranges funerals directly — you don't need a separate referral to reach him.
- Check if there's a pre-plan in placePre-bought funeral package, columbarium package, or preferred funeral director.
- Contact a funeral directorKenneth does this directly — WhatsApp him at +65 9112 1226 and he'll take it from there. Prefer to compare options first? That's fine too.
- Prepare key details for the directorDeath certificate, location of body, embalming requirement, religious preferences.
- Confirm the basic arrangementsWake location, duration, religious preference, any specific requests.
- Ask for a full itemised price list before agreeing to anythingPackages might exclude certain items depending on location of wake.
Important: Always ask: 'What is not included in this price?' It'll give you a clear picture and help avoid unnecessary charges. Do not sign anything on the first call.