Repatriation from Singapore to the Philippines

The Philippine Embassy needs the death reported and issues the Report of Death, the Consular Mortuary Certificate and the Certificate of No Objection. The embassy's website says a death should be reported within 30 days. Bring the original death certificate and prepare five sets of the documents. Whichever embassy covers the deceased's own nationality must also be told.

• The embassy needs the original death certificate, the Embalming and Sealing certificates and the deceased's original passport for remains. For ashes it needs the death certificate, the application for cremation, the collection of the cremated remains and the deceased's original passport. • Regular processing is two business days. Same-day collection is possible if the complete documents reach the embassy before 11:00 AM, with an additional expedite fee of S$15. • Documents bearing an apostille are accepted.

The embassy told us that the entry of human remains and cremated ashes of non-Philippine nationals is not permitted, except for those who were married to Philippine nationals. Speak to the embassy before any booking is made.

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 • Original Certificate of Death • Permission to export issued by the National Environment Agency • Confirmed flight itinerary • Passport or ID of the person reporting the death • Full name, complete address and contact details of the consignee in the Philippines • Five sets of every document: 1 original and 4 photocopies

Sending ashes: • Death certificate • Cremation certificate • Urn sealing certificate • Passport or travel document of the deceased • Certificate of Death • Application for cremation • Collection of the cremated remains (as the embassy lists it) • Copy of the passport of the person reporting the death • Confirmed flight itinerary • Five sets of every document: 1 original and 4 photocopies

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 Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB) 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.