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
Here is some information from your municipality.
Taking a deceased person out of the Netherlands
The person passed away in outside the Netherlands
Did the person pass away in outside the Netherlands? And do you want to transport them to the Netherlands? If so, you need to contact the municipality or local authority where the person passed away.
You (or a funeral director) must also register the death. You must do this in person (?) in the municipality where the deceased person is registered. To do so, you must make an appointment with the municipality.
The person passed away in the Netherlands
Did the person pass away in the Netherlands? And do you want to have them transported outside the Netherlands? If so, you (or a funeral director) must register the death. You must do this in the municipality where the deceased person is registered. To do so, you must make an appointment with the municipality.
Making an appointment with the municipality
You can make an appointment via:
The conditions for the transport of a mortal remains are:
- You have the following documents in your possession:
- the death certificate
- a statement issued by the competent authority, for example:
- a medical certificate from a doctor or coroner
- proof of natural death or a statement from the public prosecutor
- a permit for burial or burning, or a laissez-passer
- Are you transporting the deceased within the Benelux? Then you need a leave of absence for burial or incineration.
- Are you transporting the deceased to a country outside the Benelux? Then you need a laissez-passer.
- Are you transporting the deceased from a country outside the Benelux to the Netherlands? Then you need a laissez-passer
- You transport the body in a watertight box.
Registering a death
You will need the following documents to register a death:
- ‘A-formulier’ (A form). This is a declaration of death (doctor’s certificate).
- ‘B-formulier’ (B form). This is a form from the doctor stating the cause of death.
- A valid identity document (passport, identity card or driving licence).
- Verklaring van natuurlijk overlijden (Declaration of natural death) by a forensic pathologist. Or verklaring van niet-natuurlijk overlijden) (Declaration of non-natural death) by a forensic pathologist.
- Verklaring van geen bezwaar (Declaration of no-objection) to the funeral or cremation from the officier van justitie (public prosecutor).
- Do you want to have the deceased buried or cremated outside the Netherlands? If so, a kistverklaring (coffin declaration) with a medical certificate is required.
Transporting a deceased person outside the Netherlands
You will need the following documents to transport a deceased person outside the Netherlands:
- The Overlijdensakte (death certificate).
- A statement issued by the competent authority, for example:
* a medical certificate from a doctor or coroner
* a certificate of natural death or a statement from the public prosecutor. - Was the certificate drawn up in a language other than Dutch, German, English or French? If so, you must have the certificate translated by a sworn translator.
- A Verlof tot begraving of verbranding (burial or cremation licence), or a laissez-passer.
- Are you transporting the deceased person within the Benelux region? If so, you will need a burial or cremation licence.
- Are you transporting the deceased person to a country outside the Benelux region? If so, you will need a laissez-passer.
Are you transporting the deceased person to the Netherlands from a country outside the Benelux region? If so, you will need.
Applying for a laissez-passer:
You can apply for a laissez-passer from the municipality. This must be done in person. You need to make an appointment to do so. You can do so:
Online:
Death certificate
You will receive an Overlijdensakte (death certificate) when you register the death with the municipality. You need to make an appointment to do so. You can do so:
Online:
You pay a fee for this service. For more information, [contact](You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality) the municipality.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Meerssen