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Emergency Guide

What to Do When Your Loved One Passed Away Overseas: Emergency Guide

If a loved one has passed away overseas, we understand how overwhelming this moment is. This step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process of bringing your loved one home to Singapore. Our team is available 24/7 to handle every detail — from embassy coordination to documentation, embalming, air freight, and funeral arrangements. Call us now at +65 8111 1826 for immediate assistance.

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If You Need Help Right Now

Don't navigate this alone. Call our 24/7 emergency response team. We handle embassy coordination, documentation, embalming, air freight, and funeral arrangements — so you can focus on your family.

Call +65 8111 1826

Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Loved One Passed Away Overseas

1

Contact Us Immediately

Call +65 8111 1826. Our 24/7 emergency response team will guide you through the immediate steps and begin coordinating.

2

Contact the Embassy

Notify your embassy or consulate in the country where the death occurred. They will assist with documentation and consular services.

3

Obtain Local Death Certificate

The local authorities will issue a death certificate. Our overseas partners can assist with obtaining this on your behalf.

4

Arrange Embalming & Documentation

Aviation-compliant embalming is mandatory for international repatriation. We arrange embalming, sealing certificates, and all required documentation.

5

Obtain Export & Import Permits

We secure the export permit from the country of death and the import permit for Singapore. Embassy clearance is also arranged.

6

Coordinate Air Freight

We book air freight with a commercial airline, arrange the air waybill, and coordinate with receiving agents at the destination airport.

7

Receive Your Loved One

Your loved one arrives in Singapore. We handle customs clearance, collect the casket, and transport it to our facility or your chosen venue.

8

Funeral Arrangements

We assist with funeral arrangements — wake setup, religious rites, cremation, or burial — providing compassionate care throughout.

Documents Required for Repatriation

From Country of Death

  • Local death certificate
  • Embalming certificate
  • Export permit
  • Embassy/consular clearance
  • Sealing certificate (IATA)

From You (Family)

  • Passport of the deceased
  • NRIC of next-of-kin
  • Authorisation letter (we prepare this)
  • Insurance policy (if applicable)
  • Recent photograph
  • Clothing for dressing

We handle all documentation on your behalf. You don't need to worry about paperwork — our team manages every permit, certificate, and clearance required for repatriation.

Receiving Your Loved One in Singapore

While the repatriation is being coordinated overseas, our team in Singapore is already preparing to receive your loved one. Here is what happens on the Singapore side while you wait for the arrival.

What We Prepare While You Wait

  • Liaising with your chosen funeral venue or void deck booking
  • Preparing the wake setup, tentage, and floral arrangements
  • Coordinating with religious leaders for rites and ceremonies
  • Arranging casket selection and preparation
  • Handling NEA import permit and ICA death registration
  • Booking cremation or burial plot at Mandai / Choa Chu Kang
  • Keeping your family updated on the flight arrival timeline

Upon Arrival in Singapore

  • Customs clearance at Changi Airfreight Centre
  • Collection of the casket from the cargo terminal
  • Transfer to our facility for dressing and final preparation
  • Transport to your chosen wake venue or funeral parlour
  • Commencement of funeral rites and ceremonies

Singapore-Side Receiving Charges

Typical inbound receiving charges are around S$2,000–S$2,500, depending on the case and arrangements.

Receiving Charges (Manpower & Transportation, Import Permit Application, documentation, and SATS cargo handling fees)S$2,000–S$2,500

Weekend / After-Hours Overtime: If your loved one arrives on a weekend or after 5:00 PM, weekend/after-hours overtime charges may be approximately S$500, covering applicable SATS/cargo-terminal and Eternal Horizon manpower overtime charges.

Receiving charges cover our services on the Singapore side only — including SATS cargo clearance, collection from the airfreight terminal, and delivery to your chosen venue. Contact us for a detailed, transparent quote tailored to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to the most common questions.

What should I do immediately if someone passed away overseas?▼
If a loved one passed away overseas, contact us immediately at +65 8111 1826. We are available 24/7. Our team will guide you through: (1) contacting the local embassy or consulate, (2) obtaining the local death certificate, (3) arranging for embalming and documentation, (4) coordinating with airlines for repatriation, and (5) receiving your loved one in Singapore. We handle all logistics so you can focus on family.
How long does it take to repatriate a body to Singapore?▼
Based on our experience, repatriation typically takes 2–5 days, depending on how quickly the overseas partner can complete the required arrangements and other case-specific factors. Nearby Asian countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India) are usually 2–3 days. East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong) takes 3–5 days. Europe, Australia, USA, UK and other long-haul destinations take 5–7 days. These are experience-based estimates and are not guaranteed; actual timelines depend on embassy processing, documentation, airline schedules, and other factors.
What documents are needed when someone passed away overseas?▼
Required documents include: local death certificate, passport of the deceased, embalming certificate, export permit from the country of death, embassy or consular clearance, air waybill for air freight, and Singapore import permit. Some destination countries may require additional documents such as a non-infectious disease certificate or mortuary certificate — we will advise on the specific requirements for your destination. We handle all documentation on your behalf.
How much does it cost to receive a casket from Singapore Changi Airport upon arrival from overseas?▼
Typical inbound receiving charges are around S$2,000–S$2,500, depending on the case and arrangements, covering SATS cargo clearance, collection from the airfreight terminal, documentation, import permit, manpower and transportation, including SATS cargo handling fees. If your loved one arrives on a weekend or after 5:00 PM, weekend/after-hours overtime charges may be approximately S$500, covering applicable SATS/cargo-terminal and Eternal Horizon manpower overtime charges.
Do I need to travel to the country where the death occurred?▼
In most cases, no. We can handle the entire repatriation process remotely — coordinating with local authorities, embassies, and our network of overseas partners. However, some countries may require a family member to be present for certain documentation. We will advise you on the specific requirements.
Can you repatriate a body from any country?▼
Yes, we have a global network of funeral partners and can repatriate from any country. We have specific expertise in repatriation from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Australia, UK, USA, UAE, Germany, New Zealand, Pakistan, and many more countries.
What is the first thing I should do when someone passed away in Singapore?▼
If your loved one passed away in Singapore, call us at +65 8111 1826. We will: (1) collect your loved one, (2) assist with death registration at ICA, (3) arrange embalming if needed, (4) help you decide on funeral arrangements, and (5) guide you through the entire process. Our team is available 24/7 to assist you.
Do you handle insurance claims for overseas death?▼
Yes, we can assist with insurance documentation and claims for overseas death cases. We provide all necessary documentation including embalming certificates, invoices, and reports required by insurance companies. We also coordinate with travel insurance providers.
What if the death was sudden or unexpected?▼
For sudden or unexpected deaths, the police and coroner may be involved. We are experienced in navigating coroner's cases and can liaise with the authorities on your behalf. We ensure that all legal requirements are met while providing compassionate care for your loved one.
Can you arrange a funeral in the country of death instead of repatriation?▼
Yes, through our network of international funeral partners, we can arrange a local funeral in the country of death if that is your family's preference. We coordinate all aspects including local documentation, embalming, venue, and ceremony.

Other Repatriation Routes We Serve

Explore our specialist repatriation services for other destinations from and to Singapore.

International Repatriation Services Singapore

Our primary repatriation service page — end-to-end coordination, transparent pricing & live tracking

Mortuary Services Singapore

NEA-licensed embalming, cold storage & body preparation services

Private Jet Repatriation

Bespoke private jet air charter repatriation worldwide — ultimate privacy, speed & dignity

Global Repatriation Courtesy (10% Off)

10% off base package for both inbound and outbound international repatriation

Singapore → Malaysia

Overland repatriation via Causeway or Second Link

Singapore → Indonesia

Sea and air repatriation to Batam, Jakarta & beyond

Helpful Resources

Funeral Repatriation Guide & Articles

Read our latest guides on international repatriation

Document Checklist Tool

Generate a personalized repatriation document checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about repatriation, embalming & documentation

Our Repatriation Process

Step-by-step overview of our repatriation workflow

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What to Do When Your Loved One Passed Away Overseas

Emergency guide: embassy contact, documentation & repatriation to Singapore

Pricing Comparison

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Need Immediate Assistance?

Our emergency response team is available 24/7. Call or WhatsApp us now.

+65 8111 1826