When a Child Passes Away in a Singapore Hospital
We are so deeply sorry you are even reading this page. Nothing in this guide can take away your pain, but we hope it can lift some of the weight from your shoulders. Below is what happens next, explained gently and clearly, so that the paperwork and decisions don't add to your heartbreak. Please take only what you need, and leave the rest for now.
At Eternal Horizon, we know the unimaginable heartbreak of losing a child because we are parents too, and we feel your pain deeply. To help ease even a fraction of this heavy burden during your darkest hours, we offer a 10% Child Dignity Adjustment on our infant and child funeral arrangement services.
Step 1
Paperwork, Handled with Care
The Certificate of Passing
You don't need to worry about chasing paperwork at a time like this. The ward doctor or attending physician will gently and quietly certify your child's passing or stillbirth on your behalf. In Singapore, this is done through a secure electronic system linked to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), so the formal documentation is taken care of without adding to your burden.
Your Reference Number
When you feel ready, simply ask the ward nurse or hospital administrator for the death or stillbirth document number. They will also give you the date and the identification number used, so you have everything you need in one place.
Downloading the Certificate
With the reference number in hand, you can log into the My Legacy portal (mylegacy.life.gov.sg) using Singpass, whenever the time feels right for you. There, you can download the official digital certificate at your own pace. If the electronic system happens to be unavailable, the hospital will provide a physical confirmation document so that arrangements can begin without delay.
Step 2
Time, Space, and Gentle Choices
Time with Your Child
This is your time, and no one will rush you. Hospitals have compassionate care teams, medical social workers, and bereavement coordinators whose sole purpose is to support you right now. You and your family will be given a quiet, private space to hold your child, to spend precious moments together, and to say goodbye in your own way, at your own pace.
Understanding What Happened
If you wish, the medical team can gently discuss options such as a post-mortem examination, placental evaluation, or genetic testing, which may help provide answers about why this happened. This is entirely your choice, and no one will pressure you either way. The doctors will explain everything patiently, so you can make the decision that feels right for your family, whatever that may be.
Step 3
Honouring Your Child's Memory
Letting Someone Carry the Load
When the weight feels too heavy to bear alone, a compassionate funeral director can step in immediately to lift the practical burdens from your shoulders. They will coordinate directly with the hospital, tenderly care for your child, provide an appropriately sized casket, and handle every permit and arrangement, so you can focus entirely on being present with your family.
Burial or Cremation
There is no right or wrong choice, only what feels right for your family. You may choose burial at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, or cremation at a government or private columbarium. If you wish, memorial options such as scattering ashes at sea or keeping a small urn close to you are also available, so your child's memory stays near.
A Name, A Memory, Forever
If your child was stillborn, you may wish to apply for a commemorative birth certificate, a small but deeply meaningful way to formally record the name you chose for your little one. This is entirely optional, but many parents find comfort in knowing their child's name is officially acknowledged.
Step 4
You Don't Have to Walk This Alone
Gentle Support, for as Long as You Need
Grief doesn't follow a schedule, and you don't have to carry it by yourself. The hospital's medical social workers can connect you, whenever you're ready, with bereavement support groups, counsellors, and organisations who understand the unique heartbreak of losing a child. They will walk alongside you, not just for days, but through the weeks and months ahead, for as long as you need someone there.
We're Here, Anytime You Need Us
Whether you need help right now, tonight, or in the days ahead, our team is here for you around the clock. You don't have to be strong, and you don't have to have all the answers. Just reach out, and we'll take care of the rest.