Documents Required for a Funeral in the Czech Republic — A Complete Overview

Introduction

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult periods of your life. The loss of a loved one is painful in itself — and the need to deal with administrative matters deepens this grief further. Funeral documents, official deadlines and forms can seem bewildering, especially if you are encountering this for the first time.

This article will help you find your way step by step. You will find a complete overview of all the documents you will need — from the certificate of examination of the deceased (list o prohlídce zemřelého) through the death certificate (úmrtní list) to the documents for the funeral service. Also included is a clear table showing who issues each document and the relevant deadlines, as well as a checklist of matters that need to be dealt with after the funeral.

The funeral service handles most of the administration on your behalf — your task is simply to supply the necessary documents and sign the contract. If you are unsure about choosing a funeral service, read our guide on how to choose a funeral service.

This article is intended for all bereaved persons in the Czech Republic who need to arrange a funeral — whether it is a religious ceremony, a civil funeral or a cremation. We also touch on matters that arise after the funeral: inheritance proceedings, notifying institutions and applying for the funeral allowance.

While you deal with the necessary formalities, you might also consider creating a digital memory page — a lasting place for photographs and stories about your loved one.

What Documents Do You Need for the Funeral Service

To arrange a funeral with the funeral service, you need to present your identity card, the deceased's identity card and the certificate of examination of the deceased issued by a doctor. Further documents depend on the type of funeral — whether it is a burial, cremation or urn interment.

Documents of the Person Arranging the Funeral

The person arranging the funeral is the individual who enters into the contract with the funeral service and pays the costs. This does not necessarily have to be the nearest relative — anyone may arrange a funeral.

You will need:

• Identity card (or passport) — to verify your identity and enter into the contract
• Contact details — address, telephone number, email for communication with the funeral service
• Invoicing details — if the funeral is to be paid for by a legal entity (e.g. employer)

Documents of the Deceased

About the deceased, you will need to provide the funeral service with:

• Identity card of the deceased — the funeral service will hand it over to the registry office after the funeral is arranged. If the identity card is not available, a passport, driving licence or birth certificate may be used instead.
• Birth certificate (if available) — helps when completing the details for the registry office
• Marriage certificate (if the deceased was married) — some registry offices require it to verify marital status

Certificate of Examination of the Deceased — The Key Medical Document

The certificate of examination of the deceased (list o prohlídce zemřelého) is the most important document, without which the funeral cannot be arranged. It is issued by the doctor who conducted the examination of the body:

• Death in a hospital or other healthcare facility — the certificate is issued by the attending doctor at the facility.
• Death at home — call the deceased's GP, the First Aid Medical Service or the Emergency Medical Service (155, 112). The attending doctor will conduct the examination and issue the certificate.
• Death in suspicious circumstances — the examination is carried out by a coroner and the case may be referred to the police and a forensic pathologist.

The certificate of examination of the deceased comprises several parts. One part is sent by the doctor directly to the relevant registry office, another is received by the funeral service and a further part goes to the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic (ÚZIS).

Important: As the bereaved, you do not arrange the certificate of examination of the deceased yourself — the doctor issues it automatically and delivery to the registry office is handled either by the doctor or the funeral service.

What Else the Funeral Service May Require

Depending on the type of funeral, additional materials may be needed:

• Clothing for the deceased — the funeral service will inform you of the handover date
• Photograph of the deceased — for the parte (death notice), if the funeral service prints one
• Wishes regarding the ceremony — music, readings, flowers, speaker
• Information about the grave plot — grave number, contract with the cemetery administration (when burial is in an existing grave)

A detailed guide to the entire process can be found in the article How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic.

Death Certificate — How and Where to Obtain It

The death certificate (úmrtní list) is issued by the registry office (matriční úřad) in the municipality where the death occurred, on the basis of the certificate of examination of the deceased. The registry office has a statutory deadline of 30 days (in more complex cases up to 60 days), but in practice the death certificate is usually ready within one to two weeks. There is no administrative fee for the first copy.

Procedure at the Registry Office Step by Step

1. The registry office receives the certificate of examination of the deceased — it is sent by the doctor or the funeral service. You do not need to bring anything to the registry office yourself.
2. The registry office contacts you — once the entry is ready, the registry office will notify you that you may collect the death certificate and the deceased's personal documents.
3. Collection in person — you visit the registry office with your identity card. You receive the death certificate on the spot.
4. The deceased's identity card is confiscated (invalidated) by the registry office — if you still have it, hand it over at the registry office.

The death certificate may be requested by:

• The spouse of the deceased
• The parents, children or siblings of the deceased
• The person who arranged the funeral (even without a family relationship)
• An authorised representative on the basis of a power of attorney

Deadlines and Fees

Duplicate Death Certificate

If you need an additional copy of the death certificate (for example, for a bank, insurance company or inheritance proceedings), you may request a duplicate from the registry office. The administrative fee is 300 Kč per copy. A duplicate may be issued by any registry office in the Czech Republic, not only the one where the entry was made — you simply need to know the basic details about the deceased.

Practical tip: Obtain at least 3 certified copies of the death certificate right at the beginning. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, the deceased's employer and inheritance proceedings. This will save you repeated visits to the registry office.

Overview Table: Funeral Documents, Who Issues Them and Deadlines

The following table summarises all the key documents related to the funeral and post-death administration. Print it out or save it on your phone — it will help you keep track of what has already been dealt with.

Tip: The funeral service will usually help you with most of the administration and will tell you exactly what they need. Do not hesitate to ask — helping the bereaved is part of their services.

What to Arrange After the Funeral — Administrative Checklist

After the funeral, a number of administrative matters need to be dealt with within certain deadlines. Banks, insurance companies and the deceased's employer need to be informed; inheritance proceedings are initiated automatically by the court. Below you will find a clear checklist arranged by priority.

Immediately After the Funeral (Within 1–2 Weeks)

• The deceased's employer — inform them as soon as possible. The employment relationship ceases upon death and the employer must deregister the deceased from social and health insurance. They may also issue a confirmation of income needed for inheritance proceedings.
• The deceased's health insurance company — hand over the insurance card (if you have it). If not, the insurance company will obtain the information about the death from the register.
• Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ) — if the deceased was receiving a pension, ČSSZ will learn of the death automatically from the registry. However, if the deceased was receiving their pension in cash via the post office, inform ČSSZ yourself to prevent unauthorised payments.
• Labour Office (Úřad práce) — if the deceased was receiving a care allowance or other benefits, report the death to the relevant branch of the Úřad práce ČR within 8 days.

Within 1 Month

• Banks and financial institutions — present the death certificate. The bank will freeze the deceased's accounts until inheritance proceedings are completed. Do not access funds in the deceased's account without the bank's knowledge — this could be considered unauthorised access.
• Insurance companies — report the death to the deceased's insurers (life insurance, property insurance, motor insurance). Some policies may include benefits for the bereaved.
• Energy and telecommunications providers — electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile operator. Contracts need to be either transferred to another person or terminated.
• Landlord — if the deceased lived in rented accommodation, inform the landlord. The tenancy agreement does not automatically end upon the tenant's death — the law governs the transfer of tenancy.

Applying for the Funeral Allowance

In the Czech Republic, the funeral allowance (pohřebné) is available to the person who arranged the funeral of:

• a dependent child (including a student up to 26 years of age), or
• a parent of a dependent child,

provided the deceased had permanent residence in the Czech Republic. The funeral allowance is 5,000 Kč (a one-off benefit). The application is submitted at the relevant branch of the Úřad práce ČR (Labour Office), no later than 1 year from the date of the funeral.

Documents needed for the funeral allowance application:

• Completed "Žádost o pohřebné" form
• Applicant's identity card
• Death certificate of the deceased
• Proof of the funeral (invoice from the funeral service with the date of the funeral)
• Child's birth certificate (if applying on the basis of a parent/child relationship)

More detailed information can be found in the article Funeral Allowance from the State: How to Apply.

Inheritance Proceedings — What to Expect

Inheritance proceedings (dědické řízení) are initiated automatically. The registry office, after recording the death, informs the relevant district court, which appoints a notary to conduct the proceedings. As the bereaved, you do not need to submit any application.

The course of inheritance proceedings:

1. Preliminary hearing (předběžné šetření) — the notary invites the person who arranged the funeral (usually about 1 month after the death). The notary ascertains assets, debts and the circle of heirs.
2. Verification — the notary checks wills, the Land Registry, bank accounts and insurance policies. This usually takes 2 to 4 months.
3. Final hearing — the notary convenes all heirs, informs them of the scope of the inheritance and issues the inheritance decision (usnesení o dědictví).

The entire process without complications takes approximately 3 to 6 months. The notary's fee is governed by the notarial tariff and depends on the value of the estate (minimum 2,000 Kč). A detailed guide to the entire inheritance proceedings, including the option to renounce the inheritance, can be found in the article Inheritance Proceedings — A Guide for the Bereaved.

Clear Checklist: What, Where, By When

Did you know? Among the matters that can be dealt with at any time and that may bring you comfort is the creation of a digital memory page — a lasting place for photographs and stories where loved ones from around the world can add their memories. On Kinmory, you can create such a page. Find out more on Kinmory

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to issue a death certificate?

The registry office (matriční úřad) has a statutory deadline of 30 days to issue a death certificate from the date it receives the certificate of examination of the deceased. In more complex cases, the deadline is extended to 60 days. In practice, however, the death certificate is often ready within 1 to 2 weeks. There is no administrative fee for the first copy of the death certificate. A duplicate costs 300 Kč.

What should I do if I do not have the deceased's identity card?

If the deceased's identity card is not available (lost, stolen or destroyed), both the funeral service and the registry office can work with substitute documents — a passport, driving licence or birth certificate. The registry office will verify the deceased's identity through the population register. The process may be delayed by a few days, but the funeral can be arranged even without the identity card. Do not worry that the absence of one document will make the funeral impossible.

Do I have to report the death to the authorities myself?

The funeral service and the registry office handle most of the official notifications on your behalf. The funeral service usually delivers the certificate of examination of the deceased to the registry office and helps with organisation. Inheritance proceedings are initiated automatically by the court after receiving the death certificate from the registry office. However, you must personally inform banks, insurance companies, the deceased's employer and energy and telecommunications providers. The funeral service will usually give you a list of what you need to arrange yourself.

Who initiates inheritance proceedings?

Inheritance proceedings are initiated automatically, without you having to submit any application. The registry office, after recording the death, informs the relevant district court, which appoints a notary to conduct the proceedings. The notary invites the person who arranged the funeral to a preliminary hearing — usually about a month after the death. The entire proceedings without complications take approximately 3 to 6 months. The notary's fee depends on the value of the estate.

Summary

• The certificate of examination of the deceased (list o prohlídce zemřelého) is issued by a doctor immediately after examination — you do not arrange this; the doctor or the funeral service delivers it to the registry office.
• The death certificate (úmrtní list) is issued by the registry office within 30 days (in practice 1–2 weeks); the first copy is issued free of charge. Obtain at least 3 copies.
• For the funeral service, you need your identity card, the deceased's identity card and the certificate of examination of the deceased.
• The funeral service handles most of the administration on your behalf — do not hesitate to ask for help.
• After the funeral, inform the employer, banks, insurance companies and service providers. Inheritance proceedings are initiated automatically.
• Funeral allowance of 5,000 Kč may be obtained by those who arranged the funeral of a dependent child or a parent of a dependent child. Apply at the Úřad práce (Labour Office) within 1 year.
• Inheritance proceedings are initiated automatically by the court through a notary — they usually take 3 to 6 months.
• Some matters can wait — set your priorities and do not hesitate to ask family or friends for help.

Related Articles

• What to Do When Someone Dies — A Guide
• How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic — A Complete Guide
• Funeral Allowance from the State: How to Apply for the 5,000 Kč Benefit
• How to Choose a Funeral Service — What to Look For
• Digital Memorial — Preserve the Memory of Your Loved One