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Death registration

A death registration is the registration of the death of a person with the register office of the place of death.

Procedure

A death must be registered as soon as possible with the register office in the municipality in which the person died.

  • The death itself is pronounced by a doctor, who draws up a death certificate.
    • If someone dies at home, you must notify the general practitioner or doctor on call.
    • If a person dies in a hospital or other care facility, the person who is in charge there will provide a death certificate.
    • In the event of a fatal accident, the police will draw up an official report in the presence of a doctor.
  • The death must then be registered as soon as possible (the death registration itself) with the register office in the municipality in which the person died.
    • Generally, the funeral director takes care of the death registration and any administrative formalities. However, you can also do this yourself.
  • The register office will draw up a death certificate. This is the official proof of death.

Remember to also inform the following people or institutions about the death:

  • Bank
  • Notary
  • insurance company
  • health insurance fund
  • pension service
  • tax service
  • homeowner
  • water company
  • gas and electricity supplier
  • employer
  • etc

Requisites

To register the death, you must bring the following documents:

  • death certificate written by the doctor
  • identity card of the deceased
  • identity card of the declarant
  • driving licence of the deceased
  • and possibly the last will of the deceased.

In the event of a suspicious or violent death, you must bring the following additional documents:

  • the official police report
  • and the public prosecutor’s consent for burial or cremation.