A man in Bedok is facing a heartbreaking ordeal after being unable to claim the body of his longtime partner and arrange her funeral because the couple was not legally married.
Police Search for Next-of-Kin
On April 29, police issued a news release seeking the next-of-kin for an unidentified woman in her 60s, believed to be known as Tan Ah May. The woman died on April 15.
Investigations into her residence at Block 556 Bedok North Street 3 revealed that she had lived with a man surnamed Lv for over 30 years.
A Lifelong Partnership
Neighbors described Lv and Tan as a loving couple who never fought and referred to one another as husband and wife. Despite this lifelong bond, the lack of a legal marriage means Lv cannot claim the 68-year-old’s body.
Lv, 67, expressed his distress over his partner remaining in the mortuary. He noted that she was very sensitive to the cold
and shared his hope that she could leave this world with dignity
.
The Final Hours
Lv told reporters that nothing seemed amiss on the day of Tan’s death, noting that the two had been chatting until 2am. Tan, who was typically an early riser, was still in bed when Lv woke up.
Lv realized she was not responding a little after 7am and quickly called an ambulance. He further shared that Tan had previously worked odd jobs, but her weak heart made it impossible for her to handle heavy labor.
Next Steps and Official Appeal
The police continue to appeal for Tan’s next-of-kin to arrive forward. If no legal relatives are identified, the body may remain unclaimed, potentially prolonging the delay of her funeral services.
Anyone with information is requested to call the hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness. All shared information will be kept strictly confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the police looking for?
Police are searching for the next-of-kin of an unidentified woman in her 60s, believed to be Tan Ah May, who died on April 15.
Why is the partner unable to claim the body?
Even though the man, surnamed Lv, lived with Tan for over 30 years, they were not legally married, which prevents him from claiming her body and arranging the funeral.
How can the public provide information to the police?
Information can be submitted by calling 1800-255-0000 or by visiting www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.
How should societies balance legal requirements with the reality of lifelong common-law partnerships?
