What to do when Death occurs
The death of a loved is one of the most painful and stressful events in a person’s life. While you should be grieving your loved one, you also have the responsibility to make arrangements for their funeral and many decisions must be made. This can look like a daunting task, but do not be alarmed, we are here to help you and guide you through the process.
Registration of death
Step 1:
The first thing that is important following the death of a loved one, is to register the death. This is done at the Ministry of Home Affairs and can be done by a family member of the deceased.
With the introduction of the e-Death Notification System, The Ministry of Health and Social Services and mortuaries that serve as the first official point of contact with the deceased, electronically verify the identity of the deceased, classify the causes-of-death, and electronically notify the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration about the death that has occurred. (The Namibian)
If your loved one dies at a medical or nursing facility like a hospital or nursing home, the staff will electronically record the death and you are issued with a Medical Causes of Death document which is important to register the death.
If your loved one dies at home, you need to immediately contact the local emergency officials (Paramedics/ Police) to come and take them to a hospital / mortuary where they can be legally declared dead.
If your loved one dies in an accident, a post-mortem must be conducted to establish the causes of death.
Information needed to register a death
Make sure you have all the necessary information to register the death of your loved one
- NAME – Make sure that you write down the full birth name of the deceased.
- SEX – Specify if the deceased was male or female.
- IDENTITY NUMBER – Double check that you have the correct identification number for the deceased.
- OCCUPATION – Write what the deceased do for a living.
- DATE OF BIRTH/AGE – You can determine the date of birth from the ID number if you do not know it by heart.
- MARITAL STATUS – Mark if the deceased was married, unmarried or divorced.
- RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS – Specify the deceased’s permanent living address at the time of their death.
- DATE OF DEATH – The day, month and year in which the death occurred.
- DATE OF REGISTRATION – The day, month and year of the registration of the death.
- PLACE OF OCCURRANCE – Stipulate the place where the death occurred: Address, road, town/city, etc.
- PLACE OF REGISTRATION – At which town/city and place are you registering the death?
- CAUSE OF DEATH – What happened to cause the death.
- NAME – Your full name and surname
- IDENTITY NUMBER – Your ID number
- RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS – Your place of permanent residence at the time of the registration.
- TELEPHONE NUMBER – Your telephone or cellphone number.
- CAPACITY – What was your relationship with the deceased? (Wife, mother, father, son, daughter, uncle aunt, guardian, etc.)
Once the registration process is complete, you will be issued with a death certificate and a removal/burial order. Please make enough copies of these and keep it all safe. Both documents must be presented to the undertaker.
Information needed to register a death
Make sure you have all the necessary information to register the death of your loved one
- NAME – Make sure that you write down the full birth name of the deceased.
- SEX – Specify if the deceased was male or female.
- IDENTITY NUMBER – Double check that you have the correct identification number for the deceased.
- OCCUPATION – Write what the deceased do for a living.
- DATE OF BIRTH/AGE – You can determine the date of birth from the ID number if you do not know it by heart.
- MARITAL STATUS – Mark if the deceased was married, unmarried or divorced.
- RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS – Specify the deceased’s permanent living address at the time of their death.
- DATE OF DEATH – The day, month and year in which the death occurred.
- DATE OF REGISTRATION – The day, month and year of the registration of the death.
- PLACE OF OCCURRANCE – Stipulate the place where the death occurred: Address, road, town/city, etc.
- PLACE OF REGISTRATION – At which town/city and place are you registering the death?
- CAUSE OF DEATH – What happened to cause the death.
- NAME – Your full name and surname
- IDENTITY NUMBER – Your ID number
- RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS – Your place of permanent residence at the time of the registration.
- TELEPHONE NUMBER – Your telephone or cellphone number.
- CAPACITY – What was your relationship with the deceased? (Wife, mother, father, son, daughter, uncle aunt, guardian, etc.)
Once the registration process is complete, you will be issued with a death certificate and a removal/burial order. Please make enough copies of these and keep it all safe. Both documents must be presented to the undertaker.
Step 2: Begin To Make Arrangements
CHECK THE DECEASED’s
Social Security Status
The deceased might be eligible for social security death benefits, which is a monetary contribution of N$4500.00 paid by the government to assist with the funeral of a pensioner or someone who was receiving a government pension or social security benefits /grants.
The survivor/ next of kin of the deceased may submit a claim for funeral assistance at the Ministry of Labour.
Remember!
Please bring along the Death certificate and the Removal / Burial order when visiting our offices.
Remember!
Please bring along the Death certificate and the Removal / Burial order when visiting our offices.