Death, declaration

If someone has died, you report this in the municipality where the person died. The municipality processes the death of this person in the civil registry and the basic registration of personsBRP). Registration is mandatory. Usually the funeral director does this. As a surviving relative, you can also do this yourself.

eRecognitionDeclaration of death 

eRecognitionReporting a Stillborn Child

eRecognitionReport of a Body Found

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What should I do?

  • The funeral director or you file the declaration with the municipality. Do this within 6 days of the death. In fact, a funeral or cremation must take place no later than the 6th business day after the death.

The municipality then creates 2 documents and gives them to you:

  • A document in which she gives permission for the funeral (the "leave to bury" or the "leave to cremate"). Has the deceased indicated that he or she wants to give the body to science? Then you will receive a document with the "leave to dismember.
  • An excerpt from the death certificate.

What do I need to bring to the application?

  • B envelope containing the doctor's form on the cause of death
  • valid identification of the declarant
  • if postponement of cremation or burial is necessary: a permit for this purpose
  • possibly the deceased's marriage certificate

If the deceased died naturally, also take:

  • certificate of natural death (from a coroner)

If the deceased did not die naturally, also take:

  • certificate of non-natural death (from a coroner)
  • certificate of no objection for the burial or cremation (from the public prosecutor)

Costs

DescriptionCosts
Declaration of death
Death certificate €17.80
Declaration of postponement of burial or cremation

Price changes and typographical errors reserved.

Additional information

Postponement of burial or cremation

Sometimes it is not possible to bury or cremate someone within 6 days of their death. You can then request a postponement from the mayor. Usually the funeral director arranges this postponement.

Learn more: burial or cremation.

Preventing unwanted mail from the deceased

Receiving addressed advertising material or e-mails in the name of a deceased loved one is usually unwanted and unpleasant. Yet in practice, it is still common for a widow or widower to receive weekly (advertising) mail addressed to a deceased partner. See nl