The first 48 hours after a death

The first hours are the most confusing: the shock, the phone calls, decisions to make quickly. Here is what cannot wait, and what can.

The essentials

Within 48 hours: have a doctor certify the death, inform loved ones, choose a funeral home and declare the death to the civil registry. In France, the declaration is made within 24 hours; in hospital, the hospital takes care of it. The funeral takes place no later than 14 days after the death.

The steps, in order

  1. 01

    Have the death certified

    At home, call the family doctor or, at night and at weekends, the doctor on duty. They issue the death certificate. In hospital or a care home, it is done on site.

  2. 02

    Inform loved ones

    The closest first, in person. Ask one or two people to pass on the news: you will not have to repeat it twenty times.

  3. 03

    Choose a funeral home

    It takes charge of the body, offers care and arranges the funeral. Take time to compare quotes: the choice of company is yours.

  4. 04

    Declare the death to the civil registry

    In France, at the town hall of the place of death, within 24 hours, with the death certificate and an identity document of the deceased. When the death occurs in hospital, the hospital makes the declaration. The funeral home can also handle it.

  5. 05

    Look for the deceased's wishes

    A funeral plan, wishes for the ceremony, organ donation, a will. In France, the central register of last wishes lets you find out whether a will has been registered.

  6. 06

    Set the date of the funeral

    In France, burial takes place no later than 14 days after the death, except in special cases. The ceremony is decided with the funeral home, according to the deceased's wishes and the availability of loved ones.

Frequently asked questions

Who declares a death that occurs in hospital?

The hospital itself. The hospital must declare the death to the civil registry within 24 hours; the family does not have to.

Do you have to use the funeral home suggested on site?

No. You can choose the funeral home and compare quotes before committing.

What is the deadline for the funeral?

In France, burial must take place no later than 14 days after the death, unless the prefect grants an exception. Elsewhere, deadlines vary and are sometimes much shorter.

How do you find out whether the deceased made a will?

In France, a notary can consult the central register of last wishes, which lists wills deposited with a notary.

Forget nothing, without carrying it all alone

Open a file: your country's formalities appear in order, with their deadlines, and your loved ones can share some of them.

Open a file for free

Official sources

Updated on October 23, 2026. This guide summarises the usual steps; it does not replace advice from a notary, a lawyer or your country's authorities. How we write our guides

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