Death, declaration

What is it?

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 persons (BRP). Registration is mandatory. Usually the funeral director does this. As a surviving relative, you can also do this yourself.

What to 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'.
  • A copy of the death certificate.

What do I need?

  • 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)

Additional information

Has someone from the Netherlands died abroad? If so, you must report this to the municipality where this person lived. To do this, you will need a (legalized) death certificate from the place where the person died. You can contact the Dutch embassy or consulate. Is there no Dutch diplomatic post in the country where you are? Then you can go to the embassy of another EU country. Or contact your travel organization or local police. You can find more information on the government website .

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.