Reporting a death

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

If you wish to do this yourself, you must appear at the counter. Below, you can Make an appointment.
The municipality will issue 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 collect the death certificate.

What to bring:

The valid ID of the person filing the report.
B envelope (envelope for the CBS containing a medical certificate stating the cause of death).
In the event of a natural cause of death: death certificate issued by a physician or municipal coroner.
In the event of an unnatural cause of death: declaration of no objection to cremation/burial, issued by the Public Prosecutor.
If postponement of cremation/burial is necessary: statement of no objection issued by a doctor.
In the event of decomposition: request the mayor to issue a permit for decomposition.

Costs

Registering a death is free of charge. An extract from the death certificate costs €17.10 (2025) / €17.80 (2026). A multilingual model form costs €17.10 (2025) / €17.80 (2026).

(Rates for 2025/2026)

Description

Once the funeral director has filed the report, you will receive permission to bury or cremate the deceased. The municipality will update the Personal Records Database (BRP) and issue a death certificate.

Death abroad

All information about what you need to arrange if a family member or travel companion dies abroad can be found at Nederlandwereldwijd.nl:

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

Requirements

After death, you must wait 36 hours before you can bury or cremate the deceased. However, the funeral or cremation must take place no later than six working days after death.

Would you like to bury or cremate the deceased sooner or later? Then you will need permission from the mayor.