What to Do When Someone Dies — A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

We understand that you are experiencing one of the most difficult moments of your life. The loss of a loved one brings deep grief and a feeling of helplessness — and at this very moment you are faced with a number of practical matters that need to be arranged. If you are asking yourself "what to do when someone dies", know that you are not alone. This article will guide you step by step through the entire process, from the first minutes after the death to the completion of all necessary formalities.

Approximately 110,000 funerals take place in the Czech Republic every year, and yet most of us do not know how to proceed when we lose a loved one. This is understandable — no one prepares for such a situation. That is precisely why we have created this guide, where you will find everything arranged chronologically, in exactly the order in which you will need it.

This article is intended for all bereaved persons in the Czech Republic — whether you have lost a partner, a parent, a sibling or another close person. We will guide you through who to contact first, how to obtain the death certificate, how to choose a funeral service, what financial benefits you may be entitled to and what still needs to be arranged after the funeral itself.

You do not have to manage everything at once. You can save this guide on your phone and return to it gradually. In addition to practical steps, many families today are also creating digital memorial pages where they can share photographs and stories about their loved one — as a lasting place to which anyone in the family can return.

What to Do Immediately After a Death

Immediately after the death of a loved one, you need to call the emergency medical service (155 or 112) if the death occurred at home or at any location outside a hospital. A doctor will come to the scene, confirm the death and issue the medical certificate of death (list o prohlídce zemřelého). Only then should you contact a funeral service, which will arrange the transport of the body. This entire process usually takes 2 to 4 hours.

Death at Home

If your loved one died at home, follow these steps:

1. Call the emergency medical service — dial 155 or the general emergency number 112. The operator will guide you on what to do and dispatch a doctor.
2. Wait for the doctor to arrive — the doctor will confirm the death on site and issue the "Medical Certificate of Death" (List o prohlídce zemřelého). You will need this document for the next steps.
3. Contact a funeral service — after the doctor leaves, call a funeral service, which will arrange the transport of the body. Most funeral services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Inform your closest family — notify other family members of the death.

Important: Do not move the body or remove any personal items from it before the doctor arrives. The doctor needs to conduct the examination on site.

Death in a Hospital or Care Facility

If your loved one died in a hospital, a long-term care facility (léčebna dlouhodobě nemocných, LDN) or a residential care home (domov seniorů), the process is simpler:

• The hospital or facility itself arranges the medical examination and the issuance of the medical certificate of death.
• The staff will contact you and inform you of the further procedure.
• You choose a funeral service, which will collect the body from the facility.

Death in Suspicious Circumstances

If there is a suspicion of an unnatural cause of death (accident, suicide, criminal act), the doctor will summon the Czech Police (Policie ČR). In these cases:

• The police conduct an investigation at the scene.
• A forensic autopsy may be ordered — this is ordered by the public prosecutor (státní zástupce).
• The transport of the body is arranged by the police, not the funeral service.
• The release of the body to the bereaved may be delayed by several days to weeks.

Overview of the First Steps After a Death

Obtaining the Death Certificate

The death certificate (úmrtní list) is a key official document without which you cannot arrange a funeral, apply for the funeral allowance or initiate inheritance proceedings. The death certificate is issued by the registry office (matriční úřad) in the municipality where the death occurred — not according to the permanent residence of the deceased. The doctor who conducted the examination sends the medical certificate of death directly to the registry; you do not need to deliver this document in person.

How the Death Certificate Is Issued

1. The doctor sends the documentation to the registry — the medical certificate of death is sent by the doctor (or the hospital) directly to the relevant registry office. This happens automatically.
2. Visit the registry — attend the registry office with the following documents:
   • The identity card (občanský průkaz) of the deceased (if available)
   • Your own identity document
   • The birth certificate (rodný list) of the deceased (if you have it)
   • The marriage certificate (oddací list) (if the deceased was married)
3. The registry issues the death certificate — the statutory deadline is 30 days; in practice, the death certificate is usually ready within 1 to 2 weeks.

Fee: There is no administrative fee for the original death certificate. A duplicate costs 100 Kč.

What to Do If You Do Not Have the Deceased's Documents

If the identity card of the deceased is not available (it was lost or destroyed), the registry will verify the identity through the central population register. You can submit alternative documents — a passport, driving licence or birth certificate. The process may be extended by a few days but will not be halted. A detailed overview of all required documents can be found in our article Documents Required for a Funeral.

Important Deadlines

Did you know? While you are dealing with official matters, you can also consider creating a digital memorial on Kinmory — a lasting place where family and friends can share photographs and memories of your loved one. Details can be found at kinmory.com.

Choosing a Funeral Service and Organising the Funeral

Choosing a funeral service is one of the first important decisions after the death of a loved one. You have every right to choose any funeral service — it does not matter who carried out the transport of the body. We recommend comparing the offers of at least two funeral services and asking about the total price including all fees, so that you are not caught off guard.

What to Ask When Choosing a Funeral Service

During your first visit to or phone call with a funeral service, ask about the following:

• Total price — request a breakdown of all items (transport of the body, preparation of the deceased, coffin/urn, ceremonial hall hire, death notice, flowers, music).
• Type of funeral — cremation, or earth burial? In the Czech Republic, approximately 85% of funerals involve cremation.
• Date of the ceremony — usually 5 to 14 days after the death, depending on the availability of the ceremonial hall.
• What is included in the price — some services offer "packages", others charge for each item separately.
• Civil or religious ceremony — the Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe; a civil funeral (občanský pohřeb) is very common. If you wish for a religious ceremony, the funeral service will help you contact a member of the clergy.

A detailed guide to choosing a funeral service can be found in the article How to Choose a Funeral Service.

Civil vs. Religious Funeral

The Czech Republic has one of the highest rates of secularism in Europe. It is therefore important to know that both forms of farewell are entirely equal and it depends solely on the wishes of the family and the deceased.

Timeline for Organising a Funeral

An overview of what to arrange and when — from the first day after the death:

What to Prepare for the Funeral Service

When you visit the funeral service, bring:

• The identity card (občanský průkaz) of the deceased
• Your own identity document
• Clothing for the deceased (if you wish to provide your own)
• A photograph for the death notice (parte)
• Information about the deceased's wishes regarding the funeral (if any exist)
• Details for the death notice: date of birth, date of death, names of the bereaved

Financial Matters — Funeral Allowance and Inheritance

Funeral costs in the Czech Republic in 2026 range from 10,000 to 50,000 Kč and more, depending on the chosen form of farewell. The state provides a one-off allowance — the funeral allowance (pohřebné) — of 5,000 Kč, but only under strictly defined conditions. In addition to the funeral allowance, the bereaved may also claim other forms of financial assistance.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the Czech Republic

Prices are indicative and vary by region. A detailed cost analysis can be found in the article How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the Czech Republic in 2026. Data current as of March 2026.

State Funeral Allowance (Pohřebné) — 5,000 Kč

The funeral allowance (pohřebné) is a one-off state social support benefit of 5,000 Kč. The conditions for obtaining it are quite strict:

• Entitled persons: those who arranged the funeral of a dependent child or of a parent of a dependent child.
• Not entitled: persons who arranged the funeral of an adult without dependent children — unfortunately, the funeral allowance does not apply to this situation.
• Where to apply: at the locally competent branch of the Czech Labour Office (Úřad práce ČR).
• Application deadline: within 1 year of the date of the funeral.
• Required documents: identity document, death certificate, proof of payment for the funeral.

A complete step-by-step guide can be found in the article State Funeral Allowance — How to Apply.

Other Financial Assistance

In addition to the funeral allowance, there are other options:

• Widow's/widower's pension (vdovský/vdovecký důchod) — entitlement arises upon the death of a spouse. It is paid by the Czech Social Security Administration (Česká správa sociálního zabezpečení, ČSSZ). The application is submitted at the local District Social Security Administration (OSSZ).
• Orphan's pension (sirotčí důchod) — for dependent children of the deceased parent.
• Reimbursement of funeral costs from the estate — the person who arranged the funeral has a priority claim for reimbursement of reasonable funeral costs from the estate (under the Civil Code).
• Bereavement leave — upon the death of a spouse, partner or child, you are entitled to two days of paid leave in addition to the day of the funeral. Upon the death of a parent or sibling, one day in addition to the day of the funeral.

Inheritance Proceedings

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:

1. The notary will invite the person who arranged the funeral for a preliminary hearing (předběžné šetření) — usually 1 to 2 months after the death.
2. The notary ascertains the assets and debts of the deceased.
3. The entire proceedings take approximately 2 to 6 months (if there are no complications).
4. The notary's fee is paid from the estate.

Important: You can reject the inheritance — if the deceased had more debts than assets. The rejection of the inheritance must be made within one month of being notified by the court.

A complete guide to inheritance proceedings, including the notary's fee and the rejection of inheritance, can be found in the article Inheritance Proceedings — A Guide for the Bereaved.

What to Arrange After the Funeral — Administrative Checklist

After the funeral itself, a number of administrative steps await you. The following overview will help you ensure nothing is forgotten. You do not have to resolve everything at once — proceed calmly and at your own pace.

Checklist of Actions After the Funeral

A number of these matters can be resolved electronically via the portal.gov.cz portal — a guide entitled "What to Do in the Event of a Death" (Co dělat v případě úmrtí) is available there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I call first when someone dies at home?

Call the emergency medical service on 155 or the general emergency number 112. A doctor will come to the location, confirm the death and issue the medical certificate of death (list o prohlídce zemřelého). Only then should you contact a funeral service, which will arrange the transport of the body. If you suspect a criminal act or an unknown cause of death, the doctor will summon the police.

How long do I have to arrange a funeral after a death?

According to Act No. 256/2001 Coll. on Funeral Services (zákon o pohřebnictví), the intention to arrange a funeral must be declared within 96 hours of the death being reported. The funeral ceremony itself usually takes place 5 to 14 days after the death. If no one comes forward, the funeral is arranged by the municipality in whose territory the death occurred.

How much does a funeral cost in the Czech Republic and what state support is available?

Funeral costs in 2026 range from 10,000 Kč for cremation without a ceremony to 50,000 Kč and more for an earth burial with a ceremony. The state provides a funeral allowance (pohřebné) of 5,000 Kč, but only to a person who arranged the funeral of a dependent child or a parent of a dependent child.

What documents do I need for the funeral service?

The funeral service will need the identity card (občanský průkaz) of the deceased, the medical certificate of death (list o prohlídce zemřelého, issued by the doctor) and your own identity document. You will also need clothing for the deceased and information for the death notice (parte). If the deceased left written wishes regarding the funeral, bring them along.

Summary

If you are asking yourself "what to do when someone dies", here are the key points to remember:

• Immediately after the death, call the emergency medical service (155 or 112) — a doctor will confirm the death and issue the necessary document.
• Contact a funeral service only after the doctor has left. You have the right to choose any service — compare the offers of at least two.
• The death certificate (úmrtní list) is issued by the registry office (matriční úřad) in the municipality where the death occurred. Most of the administration will be handled by the funeral service on your behalf.
• Within 96 hours of the death being reported, the intention to arrange a funeral must be declared.
• The funeral allowance (pohřebné) of 5,000 Kč is obtained from the Labour Office (Úřad práce) — but only if the deceased was a dependent child or the parent of a dependent child.
• Inheritance proceedings (dědické řízení) are initiated automatically — a notary is appointed by the court.
• After the funeral, do not forget to notify banks, insurance companies, the employer and utility providers.
• You do not have to manage everything at once — proceed step by step and do not hesitate to ask family, friends or professionals for help.

Related Articles

• How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic — A Complete Guide
• Documents Required for a Funeral in the Czech Republic
• How to Choose a Funeral Service
• State Funeral Allowance — Who Is Entitled and How to Apply
• How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the Czech Republic in 2026