deces.lu

The first 72 hours

Very little is genuinely urgent. Three things are: have the death certified, declare it to the commune, and arrange the funeral. The rest can wait until next week.

General information, not individual legal advice.

In order

  1. Immediately

    Have the death certified

    A doctor must issue the death certificate. At home, call the family doctor; if unavailable, or if the death was unexpected, call 112. In a hospital or care home the institution handles this and gives you the documents.

    • Unexpected death, accident or unusual circumstances: move nothing and wait for the authorities.
    • Nothing else can proceed without the medical certificate.
  2. Within 24 hours

    Declare the death to the commune

    The declaration is made at the civil registry of the commune where the death occurred, in principle within 24 hours. In practice the funeral director often handles this for you.

    • Bring the medical certificate, the deceased's identity document and your own.
    • A family record book, if one exists, makes registration easier.
    • Order 10 to 15 copies of the death certificate straight away: every organisation will ask for one.
  3. Day 1

    Choose a funeral director

    They coordinate transport, the coffin, the formalities with the commune, the ceremony and the burial or cremation. Ask for a detailed written quote: prices vary significantly between providers.

    • Check whether the deceased had a prepaid funeral contract or death cover.
    • An existing family grave changes both the arrangements and the cost.
    • Cremation requires a specific authorisation.
  4. Days 1 to 2

    Look for the last will

    A will may have been deposited with a notary and registered in the central register of last wills, kept by the Chamber of Notaries. The notary will search this register for you.

    • Also look through personal papers, the safe deposit box and the computer.
    • A will may set out funeral wishes: read it before the ceremony.
  5. Days 1 to 3

    Inform the immediate circle

    Family, the deceased's employer, and the landlord where applicable. Informing the employer quickly protects the family's entitlements (final pay, group insurance, death benefit).

    • If the deceased lived alone: secure the home, empty the fridge, redirect the post, arrange care for pets.
    • Do not clear anything significant before all heirs agree.
  6. After 24 hours

    Burial or cremation

    A burial may not take place less than 24 hours after death. The authorisation is issued by the civil registrar. Cemeteries are run by the communes; fees and concession durations vary widely from one commune to another.

    • Some communes offer preferential rates to their residents.
    • Ask about the length of the grave concession and the renewal conditions.

The file to start building now

  • Medical death certificate
  • Death certificate (10 to 15 copies)
  • Identity document and residence permit of the deceased
  • Family record book or marriage certificate
  • Marriage contract, if any
  • Will or gift between spouses
  • Contact details of the family notary
  • Bank statements and insurance policies
  • Property title deed

What is not urgent

  • Cancelling subscriptions and contracts: a few extra weeks cost almost nothing.
  • Clearing the home: wait for all heirs to agree, some items have estate value.
  • Deciding what happens to the house: do not sign anything while emotions are raw, and certainly not in the days after the funeral.
  • Responding to unsolicited purchase offers: approaches arrive quickly after a death notice. They are rarely at market price.

Move on to who you need to notify