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Funeral Guide (Malaysia)

A funeral is a person’s last ceremony, funeral pre-planning is thus encouraged as it provides relief to the individual’s family, giving them the needed space to grieve.

Formalities:


Venue of Death?

When the death of a Malaysia resident occurred at home, the next of kin of the deceased or the informant must:
  • Report the death to a death verification agency (Hospital/Police) within 3 working days. They will then receive a blue-coloured copy of the death registration/ burial permit (JPN.LM02) from the death verification agency.

  • It is important that the body is not moved. Malaysian law stipulates that the body of a person who did not die in hospital can only be moved by official personnel - the police or ambulance staff.

  • Relevant medical records will be required by the police if a medical practitioner is absent. The police would usually request a post-mortem if the cause of death is not known.

  • Submit a copy of JPN.LM02 to a caretaker for burial purposes.

  • Register at a nearby National Registration Department (NRD) and collect the death certificate. Documents required are:
    (a) copy of the blue death registration and,
    (b) identification documents of the deceased and the informant.

    When the death occurred at the hospital, the hospital must:
  • Verify and issue a death registration/ burial permit (JPN.LM02), and hand the blue copy of the document to the deceased’s next of kin in 24 hours.

  • Submit the grey copy of death registration/ burial permit (JPN.LM02) to the nearest National Registration Department (NRD) within 7 working days. The next of kin of the deceased may then obtain the death certificate from the NRD office.


    • When the death of a Malaysian occurred abroad, the next of kin of the deceased or the informant must:
  • Report the death to the National Registration Department (NRD). A certification of death will be issued to the person applied.
    • Documents required are:
    (a) Death registration (JPN.LM02) which acts as an update of death abroad.
    (b) IDentification document of the deceased and the informant.
    (c) Documentary proof of death.

  • The repatriation of the body to Malaysia for burial purposes is subject to approval given by the Embassy of Malaysia acting in accordance with foreign country laws.

  • The next of kin of the deceased must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to import a human corpse. The body will be verified by the Health Officer upon arrival before being released for burial.



    • Post-mortem?

    Post-mortems are not routinely performed unless death occurs in suspicious circumstances or trauma. However, the police have the power to order a post-mortem inquiry for any death. If an autopsy is ordered, the police will pend for the pathologist report on cause of death then decide if any further action is needed.
    When a person dies of natural causes at home in the absence of a medical practitioner, the next of kin must make a report to the police with deceased’s relevant documents and medical records. After the death is recorded, body of deceased will be sent to hospital. Family may collect the body after Doctor’s examination, and a Letter of Release and Burial (Surat Kebenaran Pengkebumian) has been issued.

    Find out more information and locate nearest NRD Branches at:
    1. Ministry of Health
    2. NRD Branches
    3. Death registration

    The last rites:
    The Funeral

    A funeral is a ceremony that serves to remember the deceased. There are different types of funerals depending on one’s culture, religion, beliefs, and values.
    Again, planning ahead will minimize the burden of unforeseen costs on the next-of-kin. Decisions on funeral service/director choice may involve below considerations:
  • Budget- Costs for burial plots and columbarium vary widely depending on the location and the service provider.
  • Religion/ Beliefs
  • Location (for Burial)- convenient for visiting and viewing purposes? Various choices of environment and surroundings are available to suit one’s preference.

    Embalming?

    Embalming serves the purpose of preserving the deceased’s body, especially when it is an open casket. Embalming is not required by law.

    Burial? Cremation?

    Choosing to be buried or cremated is closely tied to one’s beliefs or religion. For example, Muslims are prohibited from choosing cremation. When one chooses burial, they would need to decide where they want to be buried.
    For cremation, ashes can be stored in an urn or scattered. The general options for scattering ashes include sea, land and aerial scattering.

    Funeral Directors

    A funeral director’s role is to arrange and take care of the funeral service to relieve the grieving family’s burden. It is important to choose a reputable funeral service company. Funerals should be dealt with upmost respect and care. A funeral service provider that is professional and compassionate will be a huge relief to the deceased’s family during the stressful period so they can focus on grieving and healing.

    Below is a sample of Funeral Service firms Malaysia:
    • (The list is arranged in alphabetical order and not exhaustive.)
    1. Eternity Bliss (Penang)|
        Phone: 019-481 1777

    2. Funerals Malaysia (Klang Valley)|
        Phone: 018-941 4965

    3. Heaven Funeral Care (Selangor)|
        Phone: 019-7770948

    4. Nirvana|
        Phone: 1800-88-1818| info@nvasia.com.my

    5. Tiong Hua Memorial Park (Johor)|
        Phone: 07-227 3815

    6. Xiao En (Klang Valley)|
        Phone: 03-9145 3888


    For more information, visit Malaysia Funeral Public Association or email to info@pipm.my.

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