We all are living away from family hence losing someone close to you can be incredibly difficult and it becomes more traumatic if you have not arrange few things well. Based on OFBJP experience we have prepared the below checklist which may be useful to you all. There is no particular order. Also seek through guidance from your near and dear ones.
We advise to split up the tasks between family & friends in order to manage things well. Create a what’s app group or group email to share workload and funeral plans.
1. Arrange the will: Always ensure the will was registered in a government body and contains all information in the movable and immovable assets of your loved one. Please prepare the will when a person is mentally sound as it cannot be prepared in sickness. Will can ensure the family is not harassed with paper work to get their own belongings. In Netherlands you can arrange for Funeral Insurance by paying three months premium.
2. Secure all your property: Secure your home, vehicle, bank locker, bank accounts, life insurance, shares, fixed deposits, PPF accounts, etc. by ensuring you have access to all above assets and your name is mentioned in all places to avoid unnecessary paper work after death. Ensure all online access.
3. Legal Document needed for pronouncement of Death: If your loved one died in a hospital, a doctor can give you a medical certificate which you need to take to your registered Gementee. The Gementee will issue the certificate. Order copies of the death certificate.You’ll likely need anywhere between 5 and 10 copies (but possibly more), depending on the accounts that your loved one had open. BSN number ?
4. Organ Donation, if applicable: In the Netherlands the hospital will always check if your loved was organ donor, so check the paperwork. If so, let hospital staff know immediately. Organ donation is time-sensitive, so this is one area where it’s important to act quickly.
5. Notify close friends, family and landlord: This can be done by sharing the news in-person or over the phone or an email or text message or social media or newspaper. The key essence here is to ensure that people get the message.
6. Arrange for Cremation: First, check to see if your loved one expressed any wishes. Decide the funeral plans. Draft an obituary for your loved one and get feedback from friends and family before you finalize. The Indian Embassy can also help you via emergency funds (only for Indian passport holders). Funeral cost can be raised via Crowdfunding campaigns. If your loved one was a veteran, you may be able to get financial assistance with the funeral or burial?
Below are contact numbers of people who provide cremation services as per Indian tradition. We advise to contact & meet them.
Stijl Uitvaart planners – Dennis Vrijperson +31 6 41047723
Break up Cost – Euro 3500 to Euro 4000
Support to send body to India –
Kishore Almere Pandit Ji – +31 36 524 2415
Break up Cost –
Support to send body to India –
Amresh Sardjoe Mishre – +31 6 24288687
Break up Cost –
Support to send body to India –
Additonal options / contacts if need to consider:
7. Arrange care of dependents: If your loved one was responsible for caring for one or more people, quickly find someone who can take care for them temporarily while you figure out a long-term plan.
8. Notify Employer: If the deceased was employed (or actively volunteering), call to let them know that your loved one has passed away. This is also a good time to ask about pay owed, benefits and life insurance. Determine any employment benefits. If your loved one was working at the time of their death, contact his or her employer to find out about union death benefits, pension plans and credit unions.
9. Notify banks or mortgage providers: If you’re unsure of what accounts your loved one held, use their mail and any online accounts you have access to in order to identify what accounts may be open. Then, take copies of the death certificate to each bank and change ownership of the accounts. You may need a court order to open and inventory a safe deposit box if a key isn’t readily available.? Reach out to any financial advisors or brokers if needed. Try to identify any additional financial and investment accounts that your loved one held. Work with each one to transfer ownership. You’ll likely need a death certificate for each account.
10. Contact a tax accountant. You’ll need to file a return for both the individual and the property owned by your loved one.
11. Notify life insurance companies: Fill out the claim form for any life insurance policies of the deceased.
12. Cancel insurance policies: This could include health insurance, car insurance, homeowner’s insurance , medical insurance or anything else. Depending on the policy, reach out to either the insurance company or your loved one’s employer to stop coverage.
13. Identify and pay important bills. Make a list of bills that are likely to be due (e.g. mortgage, car payments, electricity, tax ), and do your best to track them down via the person’s mail and online accounts. Set up a plan to ensure these bills continue to be paid on time.
14. Close credit card accounts: Leverage your loved one’s mail, wallet and any online accounts you have access to in order to identify open credit card accounts. For each one, you’ll likely need to call customer service and then email or mail a copy of the death certificate.
15. Cancel driver’s license: This will also help to prevent identity theft. Go online or call your state’s DMV for instructions. Have a copy of the death certificate ready. Notify the local election board. This helps reduce the risk of voter fraud in your area.
16. Delete all Social media accounts like Facebook, Linked in, Twitter etc. and Close email accounts: Once you feel confident that you have necessary information on other accounts, it’s a good idea to permanently close your loved one’s email accounts as an additional step to prevent fraud and identity theft. Every email provider has their own process, so do a quick online search to figure out the steps you need to take.
OFBJP Netherlands 