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Taking a deceased person out of the Netherlands

Do you wish to transport the body of a deceased person from the Netherlands to a foreign country? To do this, you need transportation authorisation from the municipality where the person died. This is called a laissez-passer. In most cases, the funeral director submits the application for you.

If you wish to take the body of a deceased person to Belgium or Luxembourg, you do not need a laissez-passer. However, you must have written permission from the municipality, stating that that you may bury or cremate the deceased person. This is called leave for burial (verlof tot begraven) or leave for cremation (verlof tot cremeren). You submit the application for this leave at the same time as you register the death.

This is how it works for you

Your (future) place of residence falls under:
Informatie:

Here is some information from your municipality.

Taking a deceased person out of the Netherlands

Deceased outside the Netherlands

Has the person died outside the Netherlands? And would you like to have his or her remains transported to the Netherlands? If so, it is best to contact a uitvaartonderneming (funeral home) in the Netherlands that specialises in repatriating deceased persons. The funeral home will then also take care of obtaining the required documents, including an afschrift (official copy) or uittreksel (extract) of the overlijdensakte (death certificate). You should submit this document to the municipality where the deceased is registered so that the Basisregistratie Personen (Personal Records Database, BRP) can be updated.  

Deceased in the Netherlands

If the person died in the Netherlands and you wish to have his or her remains transported abroad, you or an uitvaartverzorger (funeral director) must complete an aangifte van overlijden (death registration). You do this in the municipality where the person died.

Applying for laissez-passer

You can apply for a laissez-passer at the municipality. You make an appointment to do so by dialling 14 043.

Death certificate

You receive a death certificate when you report a death at the municipality. You can make an appointment to report a death by dialling 14 043.

2022 rates

  • aangifte van overlijden (registration of death) is free of charge
  • afschrift (official copy) or uittreksel (extract) of the overlijdensakte (death certificate) costs: €14.30
  • A laissez-passer is free of charge

Questions about this topic?

Contact the Municipality of Maastricht

Visiting address

Mosae Forum 10

6211DW Maastricht

Opening hours
Monday
08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday
08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday
08:30 - 16:30
Thursday
11:00 - 19:00
Friday
08:30 - 12:30
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Last updated on 26 September 2022