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.
Death, register
Has someone close to you died during a visit abroad? Employees of the embassy, consulate or the 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, visit the website www.rijksoverheid.nl.
You may bury or cremate the deceased no earlier than 36 hours and no later than 6 working days after death.
Do you want to bury the deceased earlier? Then you need permission from the public prosecutor and the mayor.
- the valid proof of identity of the person making the declaration;
- B-envelope (an envelope for Statistics Netherlands. This contains a form on which the medical practitioner states the cause of death);
- in the event of a natural cause of death: a death certificate issued by a doctor or municipal coroner;
- in case of an unnatural cause of death: statement 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 medical practitioner;
- in case of decomposition: request to the mayor to issue leave for decomposition;
- possibly the marriage certificate for updating information about death.
Digital arrangements
Only funeral directors known to us can register a death online using eHerkenning. After you have registered a death, you will receive a confirmation. Are you not yet known to us as a funeral entrepreneur? Then report to Public Affairs.
Are you not a funeral director? Then you can arrange a death report at our desk.
Making arrangements at the counter
You can also report a death to Public Affairs. Make an appointment online for this. Bring the following documents with you:
- the valid proof of identity of the person filing the report;
- B-envelope (an envelope for Statistics Netherlands. This contains a form on which the medical practitioner states the cause of death);
- in the event of a natural cause of death: a death certificate issued by a doctor or municipal coroner;
- in case of an unnatural cause of death: statement 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 medical practitioner;
- in case of decomposition: request to the mayor to issue leave for decomposition;
- possibly the marriage certificate for updating information about death.
There are no costs associated with the declaration of death.
An extract from the death certificate costs € 16.60.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Olst-Wijhe
Visiting addresses
Raadhuisplein 1
8131BN Wijhe
| Monday | 09.00-12.00 |
| Tuesday | 09.00-12.00 |
| Wednesday | 09.00-12.00 |
| Thursday | 09.00-12.00 |
| Friday | 09.00-12.00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Jan Schamhartstraat 5b
8121CM Olst
| Monday | 13.30-16.30 |
| Tuesday | 13.30-16.30 |
| Wednesday | 13.30-20.00 |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 13.30-16.30 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |