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.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Municipality of Laarbeek: Registering a death
If someone has died, a death certificate must be filed in the municipality in which the person died. Consult with your funeral director about who is reporting. Usually this is done by the undertaker. You can also do it yourself. Do this within 6 days of death.
You may not bury or cremate the deceased earlier than 36 hours and not later than 6 working days after death. Do you want to bury or cremate the deceased earlier? Then you need permission from the Public Prosecutor and the mayor. Do you want to bury or cremate the deceased later? Then you only need permission from the mayor. Death abroad Has someone close to you died during a visit abroad? Employees of the embassy, consulate or Ministry of Foreign Affairs can help you. You must also report the death to the municipality where the deceased lived. You need a death certificate for this. Sometimes the deed must have an apostille or legalization. This indicates that the document is genuine. For more information, please visit the website of the Central Government (link is external). Notification to other organizations Various organizations, such as the Tax Authorities, the health insurer, the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) and the Water Board are automatically notified of the death from the BRP. These organizations want to know who will handle cases on behalf of the next of kin. They will contact you by letter. They may still use the address of the deceased. Information Central government Are you going to arrange matters on behalf of the deceased? You will receive a personal overview on the website of the national government (link is external). It shows you what you need to arrange and where you do this. Do you need help with the personal overview? Then call Information Rijksoverheid on telephone number 1400. They will be happy to help you. Declaration of death stillborn child If your child was born stillborn after a pregnancy of 24 weeks or more, you must report it to the municipality. It is legally required to have your child buried or cremated. You do not have to report a pregnancy shorter than 24 weeks, but you are allowed to. You do this at the municipality where your child was born. You also have the option of registering your child in the Personal Records Database. Registration does not happen automatically when you file a tax return. For more information, visit: https://www.laarbeek.nl/producten/registratie-levenloos-geboren-kind
Do you arrange the declaration of death yourself? Making an appointment is not necessary. You can visit us during the opening hours of the public desk. Due to Corona, we advise you to call us in advance 0492 469 700 The funeral director arranges the declaration of death The declaration of death can be arranged online, click here to file a declaration digitally. The death certificate can be emailed by the undertaker to post Population@laarbeek.nl (link sends e-mail). What you need To register someone's death, you need the following. Your valid ID. The original death certificate from the physician or municipal coroner. B-envelope (envelope for CBS containing a medical statement about the cause of death). In the case of an unnatural cause of death; certificate of no objection to cremation/burial, issued by the Public Prosecutor. If a postponement of cremation/burial is necessary; certificate of no objection issued by a doctor. If a section is to take place; leave for dissection, issued by the mayor. Has the deceased made his/her body available for science? Then a codicil / will of the deceased is required. This must show that the deceased has made his or her body available to science. Possibly the marriage certificate to record the death.
What does it cost There are no costs associated with the declaration of death. An extract of the death certificate costs € 14.30. (rates 2022)
- As a surviving dependant, you receive the extract from the death certificate and the verlof tot begraven of cremeren (permission for burial or cremation) immediately.
- Funeral homes should receive the extract and any other documents on the same working day or, at the latest, the next working day.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Laarbeek