SingaporeWhat is the bereavement award for dependants?
Singapore law does not provide a fixed 'bereavement award' for dependants; instead, the Civil Law Act allows dependants to claim damages for loss of dependency, but excludes bereavement damages for adults.
What the Law Says
The Civil Law Act governs claims by dependants following a person’s death due to negligence or wrongful act. It sets out who may claim and what types of losses are recoverable — but explicitly excludes bereavement damages for most claimants.
Under Singapore law, there is no statutory 'bereavement award' payable to dependants upon the death of a loved one — unlike some other common law jurisdictions. The Civil Law Act (Cap. 43, 1999 Rev Ed) permits dependants to claim financial loss arising from dependency (e.g., lost income or support), but does not allow compensation purely for grief or sorrow.
Section 21(2) of the Civil Law Act states that 'no claim shall lie for damages for bereavement in respect of the death of any person'. This means that, as a matter of law, dependants — including spouses, children, or parents — cannot recover a lump sum simply for the emotional impact of losing a family member.
This exclusion applies universally: it covers all adult dependants and has applied since amendments took effect in 2011. Prior to 2011, limited bereavement damages were available only to spouses under certain conditions, but this was abolished.
Statutory Textno claim shall lie for damages for bereavement in respect of the death of any person
— Civil Law Act, s. 21(2) — Damages for bereavement
What to Do
Confirm whether you qualify as a ‘dependant’ under section 21(1) of the Civil Law Act (e.g., spouse, child, parent, or someone financially dependent on the deceased).
Gather evidence of financial dependency — such as income contributions, shared expenses, or proof of support — to support a claim for loss of dependency.
File a claim within the limitation period: generally 3 years from the date of death or when the cause of action accrued.
Consult a lawyer to assess whether other heads of damage (e.g., funeral expenses, pain and suffering before death) may be claimed alongside loss of dependency.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.