Key takeaway
The purpose of this guide is not to detail every formality, but to give a simple view of the overall order: what comes first, what follows quickly, and what belongs to the rest of the case.
The exact order varies according to the place of death, the municipality, the presence of relatives abroad and certain follow-up matters such as the consulate, transport or inheritance.
- A chronological and simplified reading of the process.
- A clear framework to distinguish the emergency, burial, documents and the next steps in the case file.
- Links to the useful information when a step needs to be explored further.
The essential steps
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01
1. Have the death certified and obtain the burial authorization
The first phase is to secure the certification and the step that then allows the burial to be organized within the right local framework.
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02
2. Centralize family coordination
A single person should coordinate exchanges, information and useful decisions at the start of the case.
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03
3. Prepare the rites and organize the burial
The practical procedures and the organization around the burial must then be sequenced without losing time.
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04
4. Obtain and keep the documents needed for what comes next
Certain documents will be needed for the family, civil status, the bank, insurance, the consulate or inheritance matters.
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05
5. Handle special cases
MRE issues, transport, the consulate, insurance or inheritance are handled afterwards, once the emergency and the burial are stabilized.
What must be done right away
The most common risk is launching too many procedures in parallel. In reality, the first hours should stay focused on a few priorities: certify the death, identify the main contact, prepare the burial and avoid duplicate requests.
What can be handled afterwards
Questions of inheritance, consular transcription, return of the body or insurance may be important, but they must not blur the urgent actions at the beginning.
| Procedure | Why | When |
|---|---|---|
| Death certification | Unlock the rest of the case | Immediately |
| Coordination de burial | Organize the local sequence | In the first hours |
| Civil-status documents | Prepare the administrative follow-up | As soon as possible |
| Cas particuliers MRE / succession | Avoid overlooking an important matter | After the emergency has stabilized |