Death, Registration
If someone has died, you must report the death to the municipality where the person died. The municipality will record the person’s death in the civil registry and the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). Reporting the death is mandatory. Usually, the funeral director handles this. As a surviving relative, you can also do this yourself.
What should I do?
- The funeral director or you must file the death certificate with the municipality. Do this within 6 days of the death. A burial or cremation must take place no later than the 6th business day after the death.
The municipality will then prepare two documents and provide them to you:
- a document in which she grants permission for the funeral (the “permit for burial” or the “permit for cremation”). If the deceased indicated that he or she wishes to donate the body to science, you will receive a document with the “permit for dissection.”
- a copy of the death certificate.
What do I need?
- A B-envelope containing the doctor's form regarding the cause of death
- valid identification document of the person filing the report
- If a postponement of the cremation or burial is necessary: a permit for this
- if available, the deceased's marriage certificate
If the deceased died of natural causes, please also bring:
- Certificate of Natural Death (issued by a medical examiner)
If the deceased did not die of natural causes, please also bring:
- Certificate of Unnatural Death (issued by a medical examiner)
- Certificate of No Objection for the burial or cremation (issued by the public prosecutor)
Additional Information
Has someone from the Netherlands died abroad? If so, you must report this to the municipality where that person lived. To do so, you will need a (legalized) death certificate from the place where the person died. You can contact the Dutch embassy or consulate at . If there is no Dutch diplomatic mission in the country where you are, you can go to the embassy of another EU country. Alternatively, contact your travel agency or the local police. More information is available on the Dutch government’s website at .
Postponement of Burial or Cremation
Sometimes it is not possible to bury or cremate someone within 6 days of death. In that case, you can request a postponement from the mayor. The funeral director usually arranges this postponement.
Costs
Arrange it online right away
Funeral directors registered with the municipality of Voorschoten can file a digital death certificate here. If you are a funeral director and would like to register so that you can file a digital death certificate, please call the municipality.