Bereavement checklist

Immediately after death

1Inform a doctor

Have the death confirmed by a doctor

2Funeral

Contact an undertaker

3Civil status

Ask the undertaker or the responsible person at the hospital to provide you with statements from the death registry

4Bank and insurance company

Report the death to banks and insurance companies

5Notary-public

Appoint a notary-public

6Employer or pension provider

Inform the deceased person's employer

Inform the deceased person's accountant

Check with the pension provider whether you are eligible for a survivor's pension

After the funeral

1Family

Check whether you are entitled to increased child benefit

Are you entitled to increased child benefit? Check whether you are receiving it

Inform the educational institution of the death

Find out whether you are entitled to an (increased) educational grant

Find a home for any pets

2Income

Ask the employer about any remuneration that has not yet been paid out

Find out whether the deceased was subscribed to a group insurance policy

Inform the insurance company with whom the deceased person took out their group insurance

Report the death to the institution paying out the replacement income

Submit the funeral invoice to the insurance company

Check whether the trade union will contribute to the funeral or cremation expenses

Get in touch with the health insurance fund

3Real estate

Decide what should happen to the family home, second home, garage, etc.

Put the family home, second home, garage, etc. up for sale

Check the provisions of the lease contract(s) and discuss how to settle these with the owner/tenant

Arrange for post to be forwarded to another address

Decide what should happen to any properties being rented out

Decide what should happen regarding water, gas, electricity, etc. and notify the relevant suppliers

Terminate any maintenance contracts

4Expenses

Decide what should happen regarding fixed expenses

Take over any subscriptions or memberships and adjust the associated direct debit or standing order

Cancel any subscriptions or memberships and their associated direct debits and standing orders

Cancel any other periodic orders and payments

5Vehicle

Decide what should happen to the deceased person's vehicle

Get in touch with the Vehicle Registration Office (DIV) in order to return or transfer the registration plate

Get in touch with the insurance company in order to cancel or take over the car insurance policy

6Estate

Check whether or not the deceased person made a will

Ask for a deed or certificate of succession

Decide whether you will accept the inheritance, reject it, or accept it subject to an inventory

Submit your tax return

Decide how to distribute the inheritance together with all the other heirs

Pay inheritance tax

7Taxes

Submit a tax return on behalf of the deceased person

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