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Arranging a funeral in the Netherlands: guidance, clarity, and support in English
When someone you love passes away, you are not only faced with the emotions of loss but also with the practical responsibility of arranging a funeral. For many people, and especially for expats and international residents in the Netherlands, this is unfamiliar territory. And while that often means life has been kind in that respect, it can also bring uncertainty and many questions in a moment when clarity is most needed.
With this in mind, I have written this page to offer guidance and reassurance. Here, you will find clear information on what to expect when arranging a funeral in the Netherlands as an international. Step by step, I aim to bring structure, clarity, and a sense of calm so you can make decisions with greater ease and confidence.
If you would prefer personal contact or have a specific question, you are always welcome to call or send a message to +31 6 52 02 17 76. As an English-speaking funeral director, I will take the time to support you and think along in whatever way feels right for you.
What to do when someone dies?
When someone passes away, it can be difficult to know what to do first. In those initial moments, a few practical steps help bring clarity.
The first steps to take
After a death, the first thing that needs to happen is contacting a doctor. This is usually the person’s GP or, outside office hours, the out-of-hours medical service (huisartsenpost). The doctor will come over to formally confirm the death and hand you an official death certificate. This consists of two documents: one declaring the passing, and one stating the cause of death.
When should you contact a funeral director?
Once you have received the death certificate, you can contact me. From that moment on, I will guide you through the next steps: from caring for your loved one to making important decisions, organising the funeral, and handling administrative matters.
If you are unsure about anything, even before the doctor has visited, you are always welcome to call. You do not have to figure things out on your own. As an English-speaking funeral director, I will help you create an overview and gently guide you through what needs to be done, at a pace that feels manageable.
Step-by-step: what to do when someone dies in the Netherlands
1. Call your GP or — outside office hours and weekends — the huisartsenpost (out-of-hours medical service)
2. The doctor visits and formally confirms the death
3. You receive an official death certificate
4. Contact your English-speaking funeral director, available 24/7 at +31 6 5202 1776
5. Together, we discuss your wishes and what is possible
6. I guide you through organising the funeral, making choices, and handling all administrative matters
Making choices for a personal farewell in the Netherlands
The choices made when arranging a funeral shape the atmosphere and meaning of the farewell. For that reason, it can be helpful to take a moment, with care and attention, to consider what this farewell might look like.
Sometimes, it is already clear what feels right. Perhaps your loved one has expressed their wishes in advance, offering guidance and direction. At other times, you may find yourself searching for a way to honour the life that has been lived.
Whatever your situation, I am here to support you - in English, and at your own pace - in creating a meaningful and personal farewell. Together, we explore the choices that help bring everything into balance. This may include defining your preference for a burial or cremation in the Netherlands, as well as the elements that shape the ceremony itself. Music, photographs, personal memories, and the atmosphere of the location all play a part in creating a farewell that feels complete and true to the person you are remembering.
On this website, you will also find a wish book: a simple, personal guide that helps you think through and record your own funeral wishes in advance. It can be a meaningful gift to those you leave behind, offering guidance and clarity during a time when making decisions isn’t easy. You are always welcome to go through this together with me, without any obligation.
The process of arranging a funeral in the Netherlands
Arranging a funeral is a gradual process, in which everything comes together step by step. Each farewell is unique and deserves an approach that reflects both the life that was lived and the wishes of those left behind. As an English-speaking funeral director, I guide you through every element that this process involves, clearly, calmly, and at your own pace.
Shaping the farewell step by step
Arranging a funeral begins by listening. Your wishes, your memories, and your feelings form the foundation from which everything else unfolds.
From there, we shape the farewell together, step by step. This may include the structure of the day and funeral service, choosing a suitable location, selecting elements such as the coffin, flowers, music, and speakers, and adding personal touches such as photos, texts, or symbolic elements. Each choice, however small, contributes to a farewell that feels complete, personal, and true.
The practical organisation
Alongside these visible choices, several practical matters are carefully arranged in the background. These include coordinating with locations and suppliers, arranging transport and international repatriation where needed, and ensuring that all logistical elements come together seamlessly.
You can leave these matters in my care. I will quietly work behind the scenes to ensure everything is thoughtfully prepared, both in the days leading up to the funeral and on the day itself. This allows you to focus on being present, rather than on managing details.
You do not have to think of everything at once. I help translate your wishes into clear and manageable steps, bringing structure and calm, and ensuring that each element is carried out with care, respect, and attention.
When does the funeral take place in the Netherlands?​​​​
In the Netherlands, there are legal timeframes that determine when a funeral can take place. A funeral may be held no sooner than 36 hours after the death and no later than six working days. The day of death, weekends, and public holidays are not included in this period.
Within this timeframe, there is usually enough space to organise a meaningful farewell. During this time, I gently guide you through the necessary choices and ensure that everything is prepared in time.
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​Sometimes, circumstances call for adjustments. Cultural or religious traditions may require a shorter timeframe, while in other situations, additional time may be needed to allow family members to travel from abroad or to make considered choices. If necessary, it is possible to apply for an extension through the municipality.
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​Together, we will choose a date that feels right for you, while staying within the legal framework.
A funeral checklist for guidance and overview in the Netherlands
In a time when emotions can feel overwhelming, a clear overview can bring a sense of calm. For that reason, I have added a practical checklist to this page, tailored to the Dutch funeral process. Without any obligation to follow every step, it is simply there to offer structure and reassurance. It can help you see what needs to be arranged, what has already been taken care of, and what can wait for later.
​Immediately after the death
• Contact the GP (family doctor) or – outside office hours and during weekends – the out-of-hours medical service (huisartsenpost)
• The doctor officially confirms the death
• You receive the death certificate
• Contact the funeral director (available 24/7 via +31 6 52 02 17 76)
• Together, we discuss your wishes and the available options
• I support you in organising the funeral and handling the necessary administration
The first decisions
• Decide between burial and cremation
• Discuss your wishes for the farewell
• Choose the date and time of the funeral
• Select a location (such as a chapel, church, natural burial ground, crematorium, home, museum, or another meaningful place)
Care and laying out
• Choose between laying out at home, in a funeral home, or another location
• Guidance in the final care of your loved one
• Discuss clothing and personal belongings
• Record any rituals, traditions, or religious wishes
The ceremony
• Confirm the final location of the ceremony
• Choose music (live or recorded)
• Decide on speakers
• Select photos or video
• Choose texts or poems
• Discuss flowers and any symbolic elements
Practical matters
• Arrange and send funeral announcements
• Prepare and place obituary notices in newspapers (if desired)
• Set up an online condolence page for family and friends to share their memories
• Organise the condolence gathering or reception
• Arrange catering, from simple to more elaborate
• Coordinate the schedule and logistics of the day
• Arrange transport, such as the hearse and accompanying vehicles
Administrative matters
• Register the death with the municipality
• Check any funeral insurance policy
• Assist with notifying organisations and subscriptions
• Access to an aftercare administrative tool to help manage correspondence, subscriptions, and notifications after the funeral
• Arrange thank-you cards (if desired)
• Space and attention for grief and reflection
• Aftercare and support, also in the period following the farewell
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Personal support, every step of the way
No two farewells are the same, just as no two lives are the same. Arranging a funeral together means taking the time to listen, to align carefully, and to allow space for whatever is needed in that moment.
In the days surrounding a loss, you may experience a wide range of emotions and questions. Whether you are looking for calm, clarity, practical support, or simply someone who listens - in English, and without formality - you do not have to go through this alone. I will move alongside you, at a pace that feels right.
There is space for grief, for memories, for silence, and for everything that comes with saying goodbye. Together, we create a farewell that feels honest, personal, and meaningful.
If you would like to explore what I can do for you, you are always welcome to call or send a message to +31 6 52 02 17 76. I am here for you - as your English-speaking funeral director - with care and attention.
