Registering a death in the Netherlands
Would you like to report the death of a loved one or someone else? Usually the funeral director will declare the death, but you can also do this yourself. This should be done at the municipality where your loved one died.
When you go to the municipality to register a death, you will need to bring the death statement (verklaring van overlijden) with you. This will be given to you by the doctor who confirmed the death. The death statement is made up of 2 parts: the A-verklaring where the death is officially declared and the B-verklaring which states the cause of death.
After a death has been registered, the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand) issues the death certificate (Akte van overlijden). The personal details of the deceased appear on the certificate, as well as the name of the informant. It is possible to obtain an excerpt of the certificate.
After issuing the death certificate, the municipality amends the information held on the deceased in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP).
The municipality also issues a document in which it gives permission for the funeral: either the authorisation for burial (verlof tot begraven) or the authorisation for cremation (verlof tot cremeren).
Did the deceased indicate that they wanted to donate their body to science? Then you will be issued a authorisation for dissection (verlof tot ontleding).
You must register a death within 6 working days, and always before the funeral.
If you still have questions about the death certificate, contact your municipality.
This is how it works in your (future) place of residence
Municipality of Groningen: Registering a death
Please bring
- Valid passport, ID card or driver's license.
- Declaration of death.
- Cause of death declaration for the Central Bureau of Statistics (B-envelope).
- Bank card.
- If you have one: Marriage booklet.
- If the deceased died non-naturally: If so, contact the Burial Office. Ask if the window has already received a "Statement of No Objection" from the District Attorney.
- If postponement of the funeral or cremation is necessary: 'Statement of No Objection' by a doctor.
- If the deceased has made himself available to science: The correct documents.
- If transported abroad (with the exception of Germany): A Medical Statement / medical certificate
Declaration by relatives
You can report the death yourself. You can do this in the municipality where your loved one passed away. Make an appointment with the municipality of Groningen.
- Registration of death: free of charge
- Copy of the death certificate: €14.30
- As the next of kin, you will receive the extract from the 'death certificate' and the 'burial permit' immediately.
- Funeral directors receive the extract and any other documents on the same or, at the latest, the next working day.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Groningen