A formal announcement was made on national television and radio by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at 08:00 that morning.

On 23 March 2015 at 13:00, Lee's body was brought to the Istana, the official residence of the President of Singapore and the office of the Prime Minister.

It was placed in Sri Temasek, the Prime Minister's official residence in the Istana grounds, where a private wake was held from 23 to 25 March 2015.

Upon the announcement of his death, all free-to-air television channels and radio stations suspended their regular programming and simulcast special programmes from broadcasters Mediacorp and SPH Media, which consisted of a montage of videos and photos of Lee Kuan Yew's life, accompanied by coverage of live events from the Istana, Parliament House and the state funeral procession.

Each community tribute site consisted of wreaths from various citizens and organisations, as well as a projection screen showing montages of Lee Kuan Yew's life.

[8] After leaving Sri Temasek, the gun carriage paused in front of the main Istana building to allow President Tony Tan Keng Yam, his wife Mrs. Mary Tan, emeritus senior minister and former prime minister Goh Chok Tong, and Istana staff to pay their respects.

During this time, a piper from the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force played "Auld Lang Syne" from the roof of the building.

In addition, thousands of people lined the roads to watch Lee move from the Istana to Parliament House on 25 March in the morning.

[14] The SCDF Public Warning System siren was sounded twice islandwide at 16:35 to signal the start and end of a minute of silence in honour of Mr Lee.

Passenger Information Displays in the MRT network and bus interchanges showed "One minute of silence for Mr Lee Kuan Yew".

[17] Notable mourners at the private wake at Sri Temasek: Foreign dignitaries who paid their respects at Parliament House:[24] Foreign dignitaries who represented their countries at Lee's state funeral at the University Cultural Centre, NUS, on 29 March 2015:[34] representative of Chief Executive of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Government leading the Presidential Delegation representing President Barack Obama Prior to the death of Lee Kuan Yew, when he was hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital on 5 February, Singaporeans expressed concern for his health through social media websites.

On 20 March 2015, the Singapore General Hospital designated an area for well-wishers to leave cards and flowers for Lee Kuan Yew.

Additionally, the Tanjong Pagar Community Club set up a "get well corner" for residents to write messages and leave flowers and cards for Lee Kuan Yew.

A tribute site was set up at the Istana, as well as other community clubs around the country for Singaporeans to pen their wishes for the late Lee Kuan Yew.