Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when someone dies?
1. Contact the GP or attending physician as soon as possible to request an official death certificate.
2. Once this has been issued, please reach out to us directly on +31 6 5202 1776. We are available day and night, and will guide you through each step from that moment onwards.
What happens after the doctor has visited?
Once the official death certificate has been issued, we sit down together to discuss the first steps. We help you gain an overview of everything that needs to be arranged, so that you do not have to find your own way through it alone.
We are not Dutch. Can you help us arrange a funeral?
Absolutely. Reichrath Uitvaartverzorging regularly works with international families and expats living in the Netherlands. We are experienced in navigating the practical, cultural and administrative differences that arise, and we are happy to conduct all communication in English.
What if the death was sudden or unexpected?
When a death comes without warning, a great deal arrives at once. We are there to help you find your footing, step by step, so that some sense of calm and order can return in the midst of everything.
We live in the Netherlands but wish to hold the funeral in another country. Is this possible? Yes. Repatriation of a loved one to their home country is something we can arrange and guide you through. There are additional administrative and logistical steps involved, and we will take care of these on your behalf so that you can focus on what matters most.
What if our loved one passes away abroad?
When a death occurs outside the Netherlands, there are a number of international procedures to navigate. We are experienced in coordinating repatriation and will help you maintain clarity and calm during what can be an overwhelming time.
May our loved one remain at home until the funeral?
In many cases, yes. We discuss together what is both practical and meaningful to you, and ensure that everything is arranged with the utmost care and respect.
How quickly must a funeral take place in the Netherlands?
Dutch law requires that a funeral be held within six working days of the death. However, it is possible to arrange an extension when family members need additional time to travel, or when circumstances require it. We will always explore what is possible within your situation.
We have family travelling from overseas. Can the funeral be postponed?
Yes, in many cases this is possible within the legal framework. We will discuss your needs and work to find an arrangement that allows everyone who matters to be present.
Can a funeral be personal without being large or elaborate?
Very much so. Depth and intimacy are not a matter of scale. A personal farewell is often found in simplicity: in the right words, in a piece of music, in small gestures that speak clearly to who someone was.
Can a funeral span more than one day or occasion?
Yes. Some families wish to have several moments of gathering, perhaps a private family farewell followed by a wider commemoration. We look together at what is possible and what feels fitting.
What if there are few or no close relatives?
Every person deserves a dignified and considered farewell, regardless of the size of the circle around them. We give the same care and attentiveness to every farewell, however intimate.
Is a formal ceremony necessary?
Not at all. A farewell can take precisely the shape that reflects who your loved one was. Reserved or open, ceremonial or informal: there is no single correct form, only the one that is true to them and to you.
We have not yet registered in the Netherlands. Could this cause complications? Administrative situations for international families can sometimes be more complex, particularly when registration, residency or documentation is not straightforward. We are experienced in navigating these circumstances and will help you find clarity without adding to your burden.
What if we are unsure what our loved one would have wanted?
This is something many families wonder. We take the time to ask the right questions and to listen carefully, so that together we can arrive at a farewell that feels honest and true, even without explicit instructions left behind.
Can music, images, or personal stories play a central role?
Absolutely. Music, photographs, spoken memories or personal rituals can make a farewell deeply resonant and entirely unique to the person being remembered. We welcome all of these and weave them in with care.
Can children be involved in the farewell?
Yes, and often this is a profound and important part of the process. We can offer gentle guidance on how to include children in a way that feels age-appropriate and meaningful, in the ceremony itself or in the preparations beforehand.
Can we speak with you in confidence before making any decisions?
Yes, always. An initial conversation carries no obligation of any kind. It is simply an opportunity to meet, to ask whatever is on your mind, and to sense whether our way of working feels right for you. We hold every conversation with discretion and care.
How much does a funeral cost in the Netherlands?
Costs vary depending on your wishes and the choices you make together. We work with a fixed guidance fee and a transparent cost overview, with no surprises. You will always receive a clear summary in advance so that you remain fully in control.
Do you work with funeral insurance policies?
Yes. We work independently of all insurers and handle all related administration on your behalf, regardless of which policy your loved one held, including those taken out abroad.
What is a living farewell?
This is a gathering held while the person who is approaching the end of their life is still present to take part. We arrange this entirely according to your wishes, whether at home, in nature, or at a location that holds special significance.
Can I document my wishes in advance?
Many people find considerable peace of mind in doing so, and we warmly encourage it. By discussing your wishes beforehand, you offer clarity to yourself and to those you love, at a moment when there is space for calm reflection rather than urgency.
Do we need to make decisions immediately after a death?
No. We take each step at your pace, without pressure and without haste. There is always time to pause, consider, and decide what feels right.
Can family members take an active part in the service?
Yes, and many families find this deeply meaningful. Whether it is a reading, a piece of music, or a personal ritual, we will support and guide you in whatever role you wish to take.
Can the ceremony reflect our cultural or religious traditions?
Absolutely. We work with families from many different backgrounds and hold each tradition with genuine care and respect. Whatever customs are meaningful to you will be honoured thoughtfully within the farewell.
Can a funeral take place without religious elements?
Yes. A farewell can be shaped entirely according to what feels true to who your loved one was, with or without religious or spiritual elements, and with complete freedom.
Can we choose a sustainable funeral?
If this is important to you, we are happy to explore environmentally considered options for each part of the farewell. There are thoughtful choices available at every stage.
What is the difference between burial and cremation?
The difference lies primarily in what follows the ceremony itself. We will explain both options quietly and clearly, and help you discover which feels right for you and for your loved one.
Can the service take place at an unusual or personal location?
Yes. Beyond crematoria and cemeteries, it is possible to hold a service at home, in nature, or at a location that carries personal significance. We will explore together what is both meaningful and feasible.
Is support available after the funeral?
Yes. After the farewell, there may still be moments when you need to talk or simply know that support is available. You are welcome to reach out whenever you feel the need.
Can you help with the practical and administrative matters that follow a death?
Yes. Beyond the funeral itself, we can help guide you through the administrative steps that follow, including those that can feel particularly unfamiliar when you are living in a country that is not your own.
Can I meet with you before there is any immediate need?
Yes, and we gently encourage it. A preparatory conversation, without any urgency, can offer great peace of mind and allow you to think through your wishes at your own pace.
How does a first conversation work?
We take all the time needed to hear your questions and wishes. There is space for both the emotional and the practical, and there is nothing you need to prepare in advance.
Do you have further questions?
Please do not hesitate to call or write. We are here, and we will always take the time for you.