Declaration of death

When someone dies, the municipality must be officially informed within 6 working days. The declaration of death is almost always arranged by a funeral director, but may also be arranged by a family member or friend.  

Declaration of death by funeral directors

As a funeral director, you can report a death in 2 ways: 

  • You can register the death online via the button below.  
  • you call us on 14 0511 to make an appointment to file the declaration at the town hall. 

eRecognitionDeclaration of death for funeral directors

Is it unclear where or when someone died? 

Then report the discovery of a body.

eRecognitionReporting a body discovery for funeral directors

Registering a death as a relative

Usually, the funeral director files the death certificate. However, as a surviving relative, you can also do this yourself. Please make an appointment by calling 14 0511.

How does it work?

The funeral director or you must report the death to the municipality within 6 days of the death. A burial or cremation must take place no later than the 6th working day after the death. 

The municipality then creates two documents: a copy of the death certificate and a permit for burial or cremation. The copy of the death certificate goes to the relatives. This is an official document that the relatives need for handling various matters: it is the proof of death.

How much does it cost?

Registering a death is free of charge. An extract from the death certificate costs € 17.10. 

What do I bring to the appointment?

Please bring the following documents to the appointment: 

  • B-envelope containing the doctor's form about the cause of death; 
  • your valid proof of identification; 
  • if postponement of the cremation or burial is necessary: a permit for this; 
  • if applicable, your marriage certificate. 

If the deceased died of natural causes, also bring: 

  • declaration of natural death (from a medical examiner). 

If the deceased did not die of natural causes, also bring: 

  • declaration of unnatural death (from a medical examiner); 
  • a declaration of no objection to the burial or cremation (from the public prosecutor). 

Death abroad

If a resident of the Netherlands has died abroad, you must report this to the municipality where the person lived. For this, you will need a (legalized) death certificate from the place where the person died. You can contact the Dutch embassy or consulate for this. If there is no Dutch diplomatic post in the country where you are, you can go to the embassy of another EU country. Or contact your travel organization or local police. More information can be found on the website of the national government.

The leave to bury or cremate is issued by the registrar of the municipality where the burial or cremation takes place.