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 CCOD. Nothing else moves without this.
- If at home — call a doctor for a house visitTry your family doctor first. Otherwise call Speedoc at +65 6909 7799 (24/7). Allow up to 2 hours. 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. Allow extra time during non-office hours.
- Download the death certificate from mylegacy.life.gov.sgUsually ready within 30 minutes of certification. Save at least 5–6 copies — banks, CPF, and insurers each need one.
Important: Do NOT call an ambulance (995) for a home death — you'll pay both the transport fee and CCOD costs. Do NOT call the police unless foul play is suspected or the death is sudden and unexplained.
A — Alert Family
Inform the right people and appoint one coordinator
Once the CCOD is underway, focus on people. The biggest mistake families make: five people giving contradictory instructions to the funeral director.
- Call closest family members individuallyDon'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 one dedicated coordination group chat3–5 people only. Keep it separate from the extended family group.
Tip: The coordinator doesn't need to be the eldest. Choose whoever is calmest under pressure.
L — Locate 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 CCOD (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 Arrangements
Engage a funeral director and confirm the basics
You don't need the full death certificate yet — the death document number is enough to begin engaging a funeral director.
- Check if there's a pre-plan in placePre-bought funeral package, columbarium package, or preferred funeral director.
- Contact a trusted funeral directorDon't feel pressured to commit to the first one you call.
- 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 often exclude: chiller, mobile toilet, GST, paper offerings, catering.
Important: Always ask: 'What is NOT included in this price?' That answer tells you everything. Do not sign anything on the first call.