SINGAPORE (Bernama): It is possible to repatriate the remains of Covid-19 victims from Singapore, says the republic's National Environment Agency (NEA)

       It said in an email reply to Bernama on Saturday (Oct 23) that there are a set of procedures in handling the remains of foreigners who had succumbed to Covid-19 in Singapore.

       The NEA said that families or next-of-kin are advised to cremate the bodies and transport the cremated ashes back to their home countries.

       "No special permit is required for the repatriation of cremated ashes,” the agency’s spokesperson said.

       As for repatriating a deceased body out of Singapore, NEA said that a Coffin (Export) Permit issued by its Port Health Office is required.

       "Approval from the receiving country for the import of the body is also required,” said NEA, a statutory board formed under the republic’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

       "As embalming of the body of a Covid-19 victim is 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,” the NEA said.

       The NEA is an agency that provides cremation, burial, columbarium, and ash scattering services in Singapore - Bernama