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 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. Usually, the funeral director reports a death to the municipality. As next of kin, you don't have to do anything. Funeral directors report a death through our website: Overlijden, aangifte doen | Gemeente Westland
Making an appointment with the municipality
Call our phone number 14 0174.
For the transportation of a deceased body from the Netherlands to abroad or from abroad to the Netherlands, you must possess a laissez-passer and a death certificate.
You pay a fee for this service. For more information, contact the municipality with phone numer 14 0174.
For more information, please contact the municipality using phone number: 14 0174.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Westland