Repatriation from Singapore to Japan

The Embassy of Japan asks for no documents and issues none for sending remains or ashes to Japan. The embassy of the deceased's own nationality must still be told. For Japan, the airline sets the practical rules. Whichever embassy covers the deceased's own nationality must also be told.

• The family or the funeral director asks the airline directly about its carriage rules for remains or ashes. • If the deceased is buried in Japan, a death notification is submitted to the local City Hall in Japan just after the remains or ashes arrive. There is then no need to notify the embassy. • To notify the embassy instead, the family reads the embassy death notification page. Questions about it go from the family themselves, not through the funeral company. • The embassy has no after-hours line for this. Its general number is 6235 8855.

The embassy confirmed there are no extra steps if the deceased is not Japanese or lived elsewhere.

Sending remains: • Death certificate, with the name matching the passport • Embalming certificate • Coffin sealing certificate • NEA coffin export permit (your funeral director applies for it) • Passport or travel document of the deceased

Sending ashes: • Death certificate • Cremation certificate • Urn sealing certificate • Passport or travel document of the deceased

Kenneth coordinates the Singapore side: the funeral director, embalming and sealing (for remains), the NEA coffin export permit (for remains), the booking with the airline cargo, and the paperwork above. Delivery is to Tokyo Narita (NRT) airport cargo.

Not included: the journey from the airport to the home town, and any prayers or wake held in Singapore before departure. Those are separate and are paid for by the family. For a Work Permit holder or a domestic helper, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower puts the cost of returning the body on the employer, so the employer arranges it. See Sending a Body or Ashes Overseas for the Singapore side in detail.