Declaration of death

When someone dies, it must be reported to the municipality. Usually the funeral director does that. But you can also do it yourself.

If you do this yourself, you must appear at the counter for this. Below you can find a Make an appointment .
The municipality draws up a death certificate. 

Arrange online

Make an appointment

Approach

The funeral director reports the death to the municipality using the online form. He can then sign the declaration at the municipality and pick up the death certificate.

What to bring:

  • The valid ID of the person filing the report.
  • B-envelope (envelope for CBS containing a medical certificate about the cause of death).
  • In case of natural cause of death: certificate of death issued by doctor or municipal coroner.
  • For an unnatural cause of death: certificate of no objection cremation/burial issued by the District Attorney.
  • If postponement of cremation/burial is necessary: certificate of no objection issued by a doctor.
  • If dismemberment is involved: request to mayor to issue leave to dismember.
Cost

Reporting a death is free. An extract of the death certificate costs €17.10 (2025). An international extract costs €17.10 (2025). A multilingual model form costs €23.00 (2025).

(Rates 2025)

Description

Once the undertaker has filed a report, you will receive permission to bury or cremate the deceased. The municipality will apply the basic registration of persons ( BRP ) and draws up a death certificate.

Death abroad

All information about what you need to arrange if a family member or travel companion has died abroad can be found on Nederlandwereldwijd :

  • Does your travel companion die while traveling abroad? If so, contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in that country for help and advice.
  • Does a family member die (alone) during a stay abroad and you yourself are in the Netherlands? If so, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +31 (0)70 - 348 47 70. Or contact 24/7BZ contact center.
Requirements

After death, you must wait 36 hours before you may bury or cremate the deceased. But the burial or cremation cannot be more than 6 working days after the death.

Do you want to bury or cremate the deceased earlier or later? Then you need permission from the mayor.

Term

The declaration of death must be received by the municipality no later than one business day before the funeral.

Learn more

Find contact information for an embassy, consulate or other representation

Information about death abroad

Information about death

Information about inheritances

What do I need to arrange checklist

Information on legalization of foreign documents, by country

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