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SINGAPORE: Hearse operators will have to follow new guidelines for the transfer of the deceased, which aim to improve standards of funeral service in Singapore, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday (October 19) .
The regulations, which are developed in partnership with the Singapore Funeral Directors Association (AFD), primarily cover “best practices” for moving the deceased from one point to another during funeral preparations and procedures.
The guidelines also detail the conditions for the maintenance and disinfection of all funeral and transfer vehicles.
“Funeral directors, funeral directors, funeral service contractors and employees have a responsibility to maintain high standards of service and accountability, to ensure that the deceased in their care are treated with respect and dignity,” NEA said.
For example, drivers or funeral service providers should ensure that caskets are securely fastened prior to departure to prevent movement of the body or casket, that music is played at an appropriate level to avoid disturbing the public, and that Vehicles must be properly cleaned with an “appropriate disinfectant”.
Stacking and placing coffins on the ground with the body inside is also prohibited, and care must be taken to ensure that the public cannot see the deceased when in the hearse.
The full set of guidelines is available on the NEA website.
GREATER DEMAND FOR SERVICES AFTER DEATH
The new guidelines “will reinforce best practice standards for funeral transport in Singapore,” said AFD Chairman Ang Zisheng.
“It further strengthens what current operators already have in place in a more structured way, ensuring the exchange of best practices among all who provide funeral services to the community,” Ang added.
The new guidelines follow the implementation of the rules for licensed funeral homes with embalming facilities in June.
READ: More stringent requirements for embalmers under new rules for licensed funeral homes
“With our aging population and increasing demand for post-death services and facilities, this will drive the demand for post-death service infrastructure, as well as the industry workforce to support the provision of those services,” NEA said.
FREE REGISTRATION FOR CONTRACTORS
The agency also announced Monday that all contractors performing services in NEA-managed post-death facilities – exhumations, niche plaque work, and the construction of headstones or monuments – must register with NEA by January 2021.
Registration is free and valid for three years.
“If a registered contractor or any of its employees is found to have engaged in unauthorized activity, NEA will take appropriate action, such as issuing written warnings or even withdrawing the registration, based on the severity of the violations,” the agency said. .
“All family members applying for work permits at NEA-managed facilities can only hire contractors who are registered with NEA.”
