The emotional strain after attending a funeral service can be so overwhelming that you may not feel like yourself again for a while. Grief is a debilitating emotion and just a few days of navigating your thoughts and emotions may not be enough.
Unfortunately, pressing matters will still need to be finalised despite the heartache. To help you through this tough time, we’ve compiled some of the administrative tasks you will need to settle after the funeral service. The number of things to be done will be dependent on the relationship you had with the deceased. If you were their spouse or an immediate family member, you’d most likely have to settle all the following tasks, and perhaps even more.
1. Paperwork
One of the most crucial tasks is to settle all the paperwork and make sure they are all in order. All the essential documents need to be present before you can proceed with any closing of accounts. The most important document that you will need to get ahold of is the deceased’s death certificate. To register for one, you will need to head to Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or any Neighbourhood Police Centres/Posts within 24 hours of their death.
You will need the following documents to have the death certificate issued:
– A Certificate of Cause of Death issued by Doctors or an authorised medical practitioner from the Ministry of Health (MOH)
– The deceased’s identification documents such as their birth certificate or NRIC
– Your own identification documents (NRIC or Passport)
Other documents that you may need to have near you when cancelling other accounts include:
– Identification documents
– Death certificate
– Marriage certificate
– Divorce papers
– Driver’s license
– Travel documents and Passport
– Their will
– Titles and deeds to real estate and other properties
– Income tax forms
– Medical insurance forms and medical record
– Life insurance, vehicle insurance, and other insurance policy documents
2. Financial matters
Ensure that all funeral costs are covered and everything else is paid for. This includes the deceased’s monthly bills, including credit card payments, mobile phone contracts, utilities, amongst other things. Contact the banks and make sure that you finalise all payments on any of their credit cards before closing those accounts. If there are any automatic GIRO payments, inform the companies to cancel the arrangement.
3. Insurance payout
Talk to the deceased’s insurance agents and inform them of the death. You can gain their assistance to move forward to the next step. It’s best to do this as soon as possible to avoid any complications that may arise if you leave it for far too long. Depending on the policy, beneficiaries can receive payouts which can help to cover the funeral cost and living expenses for the bereaved family.
4. Withdrawing sum from Central Provident Fund (CPF) as nominees
The CPF board is automatically notified once you have registered the deceased’s death. If they are a CPF member and have made a valid nomination, the nominated beneficiaries will be notified for a withdrawal and receive a proposed percentage of the member’s CPF savings. Apply online via the CPF website or mail the completed application form to CPF. They can receive the sum in the form of cash, cheque or GIRO. If no CPF nomination was made before passing, the CPF savings will be forwarded to the Public Trustee to the legally entitled beneficiaries (usually the next-of-kin and family members) under Singapore’s Intestate Succession Act.
Even if the above-mentioned administrative tasks may seem daunting, especially during a volatile and emotionally taxing time, it is crucial that they are dealt with. Ensure that you have the help and support from family members and friends throughout this ordeal.
