Singapore, 9 May 2024 – More Singaporeans are embracing open conversations about death, but most are still not taking concrete steps to prepare for it. While 81% now claim moderate to high openness towards end-of-life (EOL) planning - the highest ever recorded - fewer than 13% have both spoken and written down their final wishes. More than half (53%) have done neither.
These were among the key findings uncovered in a new nationwide survey conducted by Singapore Management University (SMU), tracking insights into Singaporeans’ attitudes and preparations in the circle of life, from hatch (birth) to match (marriage) to despatch (death). The project was supported by Assisi Hospice and Direct Funeral Services. The National Environment Agency (NEA) graciously hosted Ms Ching and her students on guided tours of the Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang, opening its gates to a university for the first time. Direct Funeral Services and Assisi Hospice also welcomed the group with heartfelt generosity, offering profound, behind-the-scenes insights into the care, dignity, and complexity involved in end-of-life arrangements.
Conducted in five weeks from January 2025 by SMU Principal Lecturer of Statistics Rosie Ching (郑如美 , 统计首席讲师 , 新加坡管理大学) and her 101 undergraduates in an experiential Statistics project, the study gathered responses from a total of 2,187 respondents across Singapore. Ms Ching and her students interviewed respondents through face-to-face, online, telephone and other remote means. This effort marked the third in a series, building on previous surveys conducted in 2021 and 2018.
Before conducting the field survey, Ms Ching’s students underwent training by the Samaritans of Singapore to develop the skills needed to navigate sensitive conversations around death. This preparation was crucial in helping them understand the extent to which individuals are open to, and actively plan for, end-of-life matters.
The survey uncovered a disconnect between what Singaporeans say and what they do when it comes to end-of-life planning.
Across areas such as planning, timing, motivation, and communication, there is a clear trend of increasing awareness, openness and willingness. However, meaningful actions - such as having discussions, writing down wishes, and formally documenting or declaring them - remain limited. Despite good intentions and the desire to ease the burden on their loved ones, the data reveals that actual follow-through is still lacking.
Said Ms Ching, “Just today, my doctor shared with me how lost she and her siblings had felt when their father passed away without any arrangements in place. As someone who has survived long-term illness and lost many dear to me, I’ve come to believe that death is a door we will all walk through one day. The only way to step through it with peace is knowing that those we love will be safe and cared for after we’re gone from this earth.”
“For the third time in seven years, I’ve led this project on a subject still considered taboo by many,” commented Ms Ching. “Throughout this journey, I have stayed the course in my belief that we must educate one another on the importance of preparing for end-of-life matters, topics too often swept under the carpet and left unspoken.”
Full survey results are accessible at www.screeningstatistics.com/despatch.
Please refer to Annex for the key findings of the 2025 survey. Graphs and charts are available upon request.
