Death registration

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

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.