Repatriation from Singapore to Thailand

For a Thai national, the family must get a Thai death certificate from the Royal Thai Embassy before the body or ashes go to Thailand. No prior notification is needed, but this step comes first. Whichever embassy covers the deceased's own nationality must also be told.

• The ICA death certificate must be certified by the Singapore Academy of Law, then given to the embassy. The embassy keeps the original, and a photocopy is not accepted. • Only a parent, a legally registered spouse, a child, an adopted child, a full sibling, or an authorised representative of one of them may register the death. • If none of them is in Singapore, a power of attorney must be signed and certified at a District Office (Amphur) in Thailand, and the original posted to the embassy. This is usually the slowest step. • Once everything is received the embassy issues the certificate in 2 to 3 working days, or 2 if urgent. Fee S$30. Monday to Thursday, 9:30 to 11:30 am.

For a foreign national, the embassy has no information on Thailand's requirements. Thai authorities must be asked directly.

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 • Thai death certificate from the Royal Thai Embassy (Thai nationals)

Sending ashes: • Death certificate • Cremation certificate • Urn sealing certificate • Passport or travel document of the deceased • Thai death certificate from the Royal Thai Embassy (Thai nationals)

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 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) 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.