SINGAPORE – On Thursday, a Malaysian man was among 16 more people who died from Covid-19 complications in Singapore.
With Malaysia-Singapore cross-border travel restricted except for the ferrying of goods – and the fact that the bodies of Covid-19 victims cannot be embalmed – could the victim’s remains be repatriated to Malaysia then?
Yes, it is possible. There are a set of procedures in handling the remains of foreigners who had succumbed to Covid-19 in the nation.
According to the republic’s National Environment Agency (NEA), families or next of kin are advised to cremate the bodies and transport the ashes back to their home countries.
“No special permit is required for the repatriation of cremated ashes,” the agency’s spokesman said.
NEA said a Coffin (Export) Permit, issued by its Port Health Office, is needed to repatriate a deceased body out of Singapore.
“Approval from the receiving country for the import of the body is also required,” said NEA, a statutory board formed under the republic’s Sustainability and the Environment Ministry.
“As the embalming of bodies with a Covid-19 infection are not permitted, the next of kin will need to utilise other means of preservation – approved by both the receiving country, as well as the airline or carrier,” NEA said.
NEA is an agency that provides cremation, burial, columbarium, and ash scattering services here.
Then, how about Muslims whose remains need to be buried?
Jasa Budi Muslim Casket and Marble Contractor undertaker operations manager Jameela Bee Md Ismail shared that her company has experienced handling a foreign Muslim deceased case with a Covid-19 infection.
“It involved a Bangladesh citizen. At that time, there were no airlines available to transport the remains. Thus, we had to bury it here,” she said, noting that approval must first be granted by the relevant parties that include next-of-kin and the respective foreign missions.
Jameela Bee added that Muslim burials cost more when it comes to Covid-19-related deaths for Singaporeans, what more for foreigners.
She said prices for a Covid-19 burial for locals are between S$2,000 (RM 6,156) and S$5,000 depending on the manpower needed, while normal Muslim burials usually cost around S$1,500-S$1,600.
Meanwhile, The Life Celebrant funeral director Dennis Wong said his company has handled a few Covid-19 cases in recent months, but those did not involve the repatriation of remains.
“As far as the current protocols (are concerned), embalming is not allowed for an infectious body,” he said, adding that he is also hoping to know the protocols for handling the remains of Covid-19 patients before deporting them out of Singapore. – Bernama, October 23, 2021
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