Declaration of death
If someone dies in the Netherlands, you must notify the municipality in which the person died. The funeral director arranges the declaration of a death. The municipality prepares a death certificate.
Approach
The funeral director uses the online form to report the death to municipality. Then he can 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
Declaration of death is free of charge. An extract of the death certificate costs €16.60. A multilingual model form costs €16.60.
(Rates 2024)
Description
Once the funeral director has filed the declaration, you will be given permission to bury or cremate the deceased. The municipality adjusts the basic registration of persons (BRP) and prepares a death certificate.
Death abroad
You can find all the information on what to do when a family member or travel companion dies abroad at Nederlandwereldwijd.nl:
- 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.
Terms
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 at municipality no later than one business day before the funeral.