Declaration of Death - Deaths on public roads

Verified 07 décembre 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Your situation

Deaths on public roads

A doctor records the death and issues the death certificate.

In case of violent death (for example, accidental death, suicide), you should alert the police or the national gendarmerie.

Funerals can only take place after obtaining judicial authorization, called record for burial.

It shall be drawn up by a judicial police officer, on the order of the public prosecutor.

Who shall I contact

Office of the Commissioner

Police Department

After a doctor's report, any adult can declare the death, preferably a relative. For example, a parent or person with vital statistics information.

However, if the cause of death is suspicious, the police forces take care of the declaration of death.

FYI

specific rules apply in certain cases, for example at sea.

To declare a death, you must go to the municipality of the municipality where the death occurred, regardless of the nationality of the deceased.

You must present yourself with the following documents:

Your ID
If possible, the death certificate issued by the doctor, police station, or gendarmerie
Any document concerning the identity of the deceased (family record, identity document or birth certificate for example)

Who shall I contact

Town Hall

The police officer shall transmit the information to the registrar of the place where the person died.

He writes the death certificate and informs the registrar of the residence of the deceased.

Following the declaration of death, the City Hall establishes a death certificate.

Death must be certain and established by examination of the body of the deceased.

There's no reporting time.

You should do this as soon as possible to then perform the other death-related procedures.

Please note

The mortuary chamber of a health facility receives the deceased free of charge for 3 days (then at the daily rate). The reception in a private funeral room (or funeral home) is paid from the 1st^er day. In addition, admission must be made within 48 hours of death. Conservation care is not mandatory.