Funeral help in the Netherlands — for English speakers
Losing someone is hard enough without having to navigate it in an unfamiliar country and a foreign system. RouwUitvaart.nl is an experienced Dutch funeral guidance service. Our team and our wider network primarily work in Dutch — but we are very glad to support English-speaking expats, migrants and international residents personally, in clear English.
Whether you've just lost a partner, parent, or friend here in the Netherlands, we will explain calmly what needs to happen, when, and how — including the option of bringing your loved one home, if that is what your family wants.
- Report the death to the municipality: within 6 days
- Funeral or repatriation: ideally arranged within 36 hours – 6 days
- Average funeral cost in NL: €8,500–€12,000
- Repatriation: from approx. €5,000, often insured
- We support you directly in English or Dutch
First steps after a death in the Netherlands
Take a moment with your loved one first. There is no rush. Then call the family doctor (huisarts) or the out-of-hours GP service. The doctor officially confirms the death.
The doctor issues an A-form(cause of death) and a B-form(permission to move the body). Without these forms, the body cannot legally be transported.
If unnatural death is suspected, call 112 (the Dutch emergency number). Disturb the scene as little as possible. Police and the public prosecutor must give permission before the body may be moved.
After confirmation, the body should be cooled as soon as possible. Caring for your loved one at home is fully permitted in the Netherlands and many families find it comforting.
With a cooling plate or cooling blanket, your loved one can stay at home for several days. We can arrange urgent home cooling support — call +31 6 45 10 06 08.
The death must be reported to the civil registry (burgerlijke stand) of the municipality where it occurred — within 6 days, and ideally before the funeral.
Bring the doctor's A/B-form, identification of the deceased, and your own ID. You will receive the death certificate and permission to bury, cremate, or repatriate.
Decide between cremation, burial, or returning your loved one to their country of origin. If repatriation is being considered, it's best to start arrangements as early as possible.
A funeral must normally take place between 36 hours and 6 days after death. For repatriation, the municipality can grant more time once the process is underway.
The farewell can be exactly as you wish. We can help arrange notices, music, flowers and catering, in a way that reflects your loved one and your culture.
Most administrative matters can be handled calmly in the weeks after the funeral — notifying banks, insurers and the Dutch tax authorities.
For deaths in or after 2026, the deadline to file inheritance tax is 20 months after the date of death. The Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst) will send a letter automatically.
Our services — personal, independent, tailored to you
We are an experienced, independent funeral guidance service. Our network of specialists supports families across the Netherlands with personal, carefully tailored farewells — never a one-size-fits-all package.
For English-speaking clients, we offer direct, personal guidance in English from one of our team members, alongside access to our full network of independent specialists.
Families who have worked with us often tell us that having someone explain things clearly, in their own language, made an overwhelming process feel manageable — and that being able to shape the farewell around their own traditions mattered just as much as the practical help.
- Direct phone guidance after a death, in English (24/7)
- Referral to an independent funeral specialist near you
- Arranging home viewing and cooling
- Clear, honest information on funeral costs
- Full ceremony planning — burial, cremation or other forms
- Repatriation to your country of origin, via our specialised partner
- Support with grief and the practical steps that follow
- Aftercare and administration once the farewell is complete
Repatriation to your country of origin
We understand that many migrant and expat families wish for their loved one to return to their country of birth, to rest among family, or simply because that is where home truly is. This is one of the most meaningful decisions a family can make, and we take it seriously.
For the international logistics, we work together with Mortuarium Schiphol, a partner that specialises specifically in repatriation. They take care of the complex parts so your family doesn't have to:
- All required travel documents, including the Laissez-Passer
- Embalming and preparation in line with destination-country rules
- Coordination with airlines and customs procedures
- Transport from the Netherlands to the destination country, door to door
- Liaison with funeral professionals at the destination, where needed
Questions about repatriation? Call +31 6 45 10 06 08 — we will explain the process and connect you with our partner.
What repatriation typically costs
Costs depend heavily on the destination country and the documents required, but as an indication:
- Repatriation: indicative from approx. €5,000
- Often covered, in part or fully, by funeral insurance — Dutch or international
- We will help you check what your policy actually covers
- A clear, written quote before anything is arranged
What does a funeral cost in the Netherlands?
Honest and transparent: total costs depend strongly on your choices. Here is a current overview, including ways to reduce costs without compromising on dignity.
| Cost item | Cremation | Burial | Self-arranged / savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crematorium / cemetery | €555 – €2,200 | €1,200 – €4,000+ | Booking directly saves money |
| Coffin or urn | €50 – €800 (urn) | €400 – €2,500 (coffin) | Choose your own supplier |
| Funeral specialist / guidance | €1,500 – €4,000 | €2,000 – €5,000 | Hire individual services from €200 |
| Transport | €250 – €600 | €350 – €900 | Independent driver from €250 |
| Ceremony, music & flowers | €800 – €2,500 | €800 – €2,500 | Digital notices, your own choices |
| Repatriation (instead of NL funeral) | From approx. €5,000 (destination-dependent) | Often insured | |
| Average total | €7,000 – €9,500 | €9,000 – €12,000
(luxury options can exceed €14,000) |
Potential savings: €2,000 – €5,000 |
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Questions after a death — honest answers
Take a moment with your loved one first. Then call the family doctor for official confirmation. The doctor's forms are required before the body can be moved. For direct support in English, call +31 6 45 10 06 08 (24/7).
You report it to the civil registry of the municipality where the death occurred, within 6 days and before the funeral. Bring the doctor's form and identification of the deceased and yourself. You will receive the death certificate and permission to bury, cremate or repatriate.
Yes. We work with a specialised partner, Mortuarium Schiphol, who arranges all logistics, documentation including the Laissez-Passer, and international transport. Indicative cost is from around €5,000, and this is often covered by insurance.
In the Netherlands, a funeral must normally take place between 36 hours and 6 days after death. The municipality can allow more time, for example during a repatriation process.
On average between €8,500 and €12,000. Cremation €7,000–€9,500, burial €9,000–€12,000 (luxury options up to €14,000+). Hiring independent specialists separately can save €2,000 to €5,000.
No. We can support you fully in English. To arrange the funeral itself, our team communicates in English or Dutch — and for the international side of repatriation, we work with our specialised partner who manages the cross-border process.
Yes, our wider website is in Dutch, as most of our visitors live in the Netherlands and search in Dutch. You can translate any page instantly — right-click anywhere on the page in Chrome or Edge and choose "Translate to English," or paste the page address into Google Translate.
Call the family doctor or out-of-hours GP service immediately. If unnatural death is suspected, call 112. For direct support in English: +31 6 45 10 06 08 (24/7).
Let's talk — calmly, and in your own language
There is no need to decide everything today. When you're ready, we invite you to a free, no-obligation conversation in English — by phone or, if you prefer, in person. We'll listen first, then explain your options clearly, including repatriation if that's something your family is considering.
- A calm, judgment-free first conversation
- Clear explanation of costs and next steps
- No pressure, no obligation
- Support available in English or Dutch
Reach us directly
Call us any time, day or night. If you'd prefer to write first, that's fine too — just let us know you'd like to continue in English.
Call: +31 6 45 10 06 08 Contact form (Dutch page — translatable)
