Infectious Diseases Act 1976 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Control of Infectious Diseases Within Singapore
14. Wakes and disposal of corpses
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2024. 2 amendments in all.
Where any person has died while being, or suspected of being, a case or an at-risk individual of an infectious disease, the Director-General of Health may by order —
infectious disease
“infectious disease” means —(a)any of the diseases specified in the First Schedule; and(b)for the purposes of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17A, 19, 55, 57A and 59A, includes any other disease —(i)that is caused or is suspected to be caused by a micro‑organism or any agent of disease;(ii)that is capable or is suspected to be capable of transmission by any means to human beings; and(iii)that, the Director has reason to believe, if left uninvestigated or unchecked, is likely to result in an epidemic of the disease;
prohibit the conduct of a wake over the body of that person or impose any conditions that the Director-General of Health thinks fit on the conduct of such wake; or
impose any conditions that the Director-General of Health thinks fit for the collection, removal and disposal of the body of that person.
If any person contravenes any order under subsection (1) —
that person shall be guilty of an offence; and
any Health Officer may take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the order is complied with, including entering any premises at any time without warrant and with such force as may be necessary to collect, remove and dispose of the body of the deceased person.
Any costs and expenses incurred by a Health Officer under subsection (2)(b) must be borne by the person in default and may be recovered as a debt due to the Government.
Health Officer
“Health Officer” means a Health Officer appointed by the Director‑General, the Director‑General, Food Administration or the Director under section 4;