• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • UFIT TennisOutdoor activities – group fitness classes, tennis, cycling etc.
        • feng shui focus lucy richardsonExpat Journey: Lucy Richardson
        • Forbidden Hill fathers day gifts15 Fabulous Father’s Day Gifts and Things to Do
        • weddingTop 20 wedding venues in Singapore, for all sorts of couples
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Muswell Hill comedy Pangdemonium dinner partyPangdemonium brings Muswell Hill to Singapore
        • looking for clues treasure hunt time heistWin big in the Civic District treasure hunt
        • As You Were ArtworksWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • The National Stadium - Sports Hub Best venues for concertsTheatres in Singapore plus venues for events & concerts!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • pre & post baby items cleaning by pramwashWhen did you last clean the baby pram?
        • Nexus International School students reading in library learning experienceLearning for the Future at Nexus
        • Forbidden Hill fathers day gifts15 Fabulous Father’s Day Gifts and Things to Do
        • fishing 3aHoliday fun and outdoor activities at this Adventure Camp
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • feng shui focus lucy richardsonExpat Journey: Lucy Richardson
        • European bedding best mattressBest mattresses for the best sleep!
        • antique furniture singaporeAntique furniture shops – plus vintage and reproduction furniture!
        • Where to buy lamps in SingaporeWhere to buy lamps in Singapore – lights galore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • ideas for a long weekend awayPlan ahead for that long weekend away!
        • international health insuranceProtecting your health overseas in 2022
        • Krabi Thailand beachfront villas for beach holiday in ThailandBeachfront villas in Krabi Thailand – perfect for your next beach holiday!
        • New ZealandYour mini guide to New Zealand
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Pizza12 great places to get the best pizza in Singapore
        • Farmers market - butcher - meat shopTop butchers for good-quality meat
        • Sugarhall DaquriLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • M&S Meat Free NuggetsPlant-based nuggets – here’s what we think!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • hydrating products skinTried and tested: Hydrating Products for Dry Skin
        • ARIANE ZAGURY 2A Curated Fashion House for All
        • Frizz TreatmentIn need of a quick fix for frizzy hair?
        • Spray tan singaporeGet a golden glow quickly with a spray tan!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • injuries to hip and hamstring injuriesInjuries to hip muscles & hamstring injuries – how to treat them!
        • UFIT TennisOutdoor activities – group fitness classes, tennis, cycling etc.
        • overweightWeight gain and your health – How a GP can help
        • PainWhat is pain and how do you treat it?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close

Funerals & Dying in Singapore

12th September 2019 by Expat Living 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/funerals-and-funeral-arrangements-for-expats-dying-in-singapore/

Would you know what to do if somebody you love died a long way from home? DEBORAH ANDRES, the CEO of Flying Home, offers some wise words we should all ponder.

We all want to take on the expat adventure with a sense of renewed energy and commitment. What no expat wants to think about really is what happens if they or one of their family members dies in Singapore, away from their home country.

Death brings a sense of loss and anguish for those left behind, but when it happens in a different part of the world, these emotions are often amplified and can be even more profound for those back home. Often, expats don’t even consider repatriating the departed loved one. I’ve had conversations with people who have said, “There is nothing to do. I told my children just to have me cremated and thrown in the sea!” or “No need to plan anything. They can just cremate me and throw my ashes in the rubbish”; or “Maybe my parents would want to see me one last time but it’s too expensive, so I guess they’ll just have me cremated.”

However, the decision to cremate or repatriate a loved one should be considered wisely. While the family members here in Singapore will have the opportunity to see their loved one a final time before the cremation occurs, it’s a different story for the people back home. They’re not given a chance for that final touch, a kiss on the forehead, a stroke of the hair or holding a hand in theirs one last time. For those not present, it makes it difficult to believe and accept that the person they love is dead. The grief and healing process becomes harder, and the denial stronger, when you don’t get to say goodbye.

 

cremations

Questions to ask

There are some things you should figure out before you face a situation like this. Does the family want to be present for the funeral? Does your employer cover the cost of repatriation back to your country? If you’re to be cremated, what should be done with the ashes? What kind of service do you want? Do you want a memorial service here and at home? As awful as it might be to think about these things today, it’s far easier to figure this all out when you’re not immersed by the emotions surrounding death.

Arranging for services, repatriation, documentation and more may seem overwhelming, which is where Flying Home comes in. We handle everything, from organising death certificates and export permits, to the legalisation of all forms by governing organisations. The process of expediting a repatriation is determined by the country to which they are returning, as well as flight schedules. This process can take anywhere from 36 hours to five weeks. We can also help with arrangements for wake services, religious rites, booking of the flight for repatriation, fees and transportation. We can even help survivors contact relatives, friends and coworkers. Our job is to make your grief easier.

From one expat to another, I urge you to put your affairs in order. Then, go on living and enjoy your family, friends, work – and your life abroad!

For more information, visit flyinghome.com.

 

For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section.

11 spots to try a local breakfast
The expat’s guide to where to live in Singapore
20 quirky facts about Singapore

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

Categories: Living here Living in Singapore Tags: Dying in Singapore Expat Flying Home

You May Also Like

feng shui focus lucy richardson

Expat Journey: Lucy Richardson

finfluencer financial scammers

Scammers and finfluencers!

sports schools in singapore students jumping sack sports activities

Discover the sports programme at this international school

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2022 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.