How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic — A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult moments of your life. The loss of a loved one brings pain, confusion, and a feeling that you do not know where to begin. And it is precisely at this time that a number of practical steps await you. This guide will help you navigate the organisation of a funeral in the Czech Republic calmly and step by step — from the very first minutes after a death through to the administrative conclusion.

This article is intended primarily for those encountering the organisation of a funeral for the first time. How to arrange a funeral is a question most of us seek to answer at a moment when there is neither time nor energy for lengthy study. We have therefore arranged all the information chronologically — in precisely the order in which you will need it.

In the Czech Republic, approximately 110,000 funerals take place each year, of which roughly 85% are cremations. Whether you decide on cremation or earth burial, the basic procedure is similar. We shall guide you through the choice of a funeral service, the necessary documents, time limits, and what to expect after the funeral itself.

Remember: there is no "right" or "wrong" funeral. What matters is that it corresponds to the wishes of your family and — where possible — the wishes of the deceased. In addition to a traditional farewell, families today also create digital memorials, where they can share photographs and stories about their loved one.

You are not alone in this. This guide is your support — you may save it to your phone or print it out and return to it whenever you need.

What to Do Immediately After a Death

Immediately after a death, you must call a doctor, who will carry out an examination and issue a "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého). You then have 96 hours to express the intention to arrange a funeral with a funeral service. If nobody does so, the municipality will arrange the funeral. In practice, funerals are typically arranged 5–10 days after the death.

The exact procedure depends on where the death occurred. Below you will find the specific steps for each situation.

Death at home — first steps

If your loved one died at home, proceed as follows:

1. Call the emergency medical service — 155. A doctor will arrive, examine the body, and issue the "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého). This document is essential for all subsequent administration.

2. In the case of suspicious circumstances, call the police — 158. The police should be called if the death was sudden, the circumstances are unclear, or there is suspicion of foul play. For a person with a long-term illness under a doctor's care, the police are generally not required.

3. Contact the deceased's GP. If your loved one was under the care of a GP, the doctor can help confirm the diagnosis and facilitate the completion of documentation.

4. Do not move the body until the doctor arrives. This applies especially if the circumstances of the death are not entirely clear.

5. Inform the closest family. If you are unable to do so at this moment, ask someone close to help you.

6. Call a funeral service. The funeral service will arrange the transport of the body to cold storage. Most funeral services operate around the clock. The choice of funeral service is your free decision — you are not obliged to use the one that transported the body.

Death in a hospital or care facility

When death occurs in a hospital, a care home for the elderly, or another healthcare facility:

• The medical staff will carry out the examination and documentation.
• The body will be stored at the facility for 48 hours free of charge. After this period, storage fees may be charged.
• You will receive the "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého) or information about where to collect it.
• You choose a funeral service that will transport the body and handle the next steps.

Whom to inform and in what order

In the first days after a death, you need to inform:

1. Closest family and friends — in person or by telephone
2. The deceased's employer — if the deceased was employed
3. A funeral service — to arrange transport and the organisation of the funeral
4. The deceased's GP — if they do not yet know about the death
5. Extended family and acquaintances — after agreeing on the date and form of the funeral
6. Other institutions — banks, insurers, utility providers (these can be dealt with in the following weeks)

Choosing a Funeral Service and Type of Funeral

In the Czech Republic, you choose your funeral service freely, and nobody can compel you to use a particular company. We recommend contacting at least two funeral services, comparing their offers and prices. The funeral service will help you with everything — from transporting the body, through arranging the ceremony, to the administration. More advice can be found in our guide to choosing a funeral service.

Civil vs. religious funeral

The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in Europe. Both forms of farewell are equal, and the choice depends solely on the wishes of the family:

Read more about funeral traditions in the Czech Republic in a separate article.

Cremation vs. earth burial

In the Czech Republic, cremation is by far the most common form of funeral — approximately 85% of families choose it. This is one of the highest rates in Europe.

Cremation:

• The price ranges from 10,000 to 35,000 Kč (depending on the scope of services)
• Cremation without a ceremony is the cheapest option: 10,000–20,000 Kč — details can be found in the article Cremation Without a Ceremony — Price, Process, and What to Expect
• Cremation with a ceremony: 22,000–45,000 Kč
• The urn can be interred at a cemetery, placed in a columbarium, the ashes scattered at a scattering meadow, or kept at home
• Details can be found in the Guide to Cremation in Czechia

Earth burial:

• The price starts from 45,000 Kč upwards
• Includes the purchase of a coffin, hire of a burial plot, grave excavation, and the ceremony
• The hire of a burial plot is paid for a period of 10–20 years
• More space for traditional ceremonies and grave visits

Funeral without a ceremony — when it makes sense

A funeral without a ceremony (sometimes called a "social funeral" or "cremation without a ceremony") is the simplest and least expensive form of farewell. It is chosen by families who:

• Prefer private, intimate remembrance within the family circle
• Are dealing with limited financial circumstances
• Are respecting the wishes of the deceased, who did not want a public ceremony
• Plan to hold a memorial gathering at a later date and in a different setting

A funeral without a ceremony does not mean a funeral without dignity. Even without a formal ceremony, you can create a meaningful farewell — for example, through a family gathering, a memorial evening, or a digital memorial, where loved ones can share memories and photographs.

Did you know? Today you can create a digital memorial with a QR code that connects a gravestone with an online page of remembrance. Cemetery visitors simply scan the code with their phone and see photographs, stories, and memories of your loved one. Learn more on Kinmory

Required Documents and Administration

To arrange a funeral, you need your identity card, the deceased's identity card, and their birth or marriage certificate. The registry office (matriční úřad) will, on the basis of the "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého), register the death and issue the death certificate (úmrtní list) within 30 days. The funeral service will assist you with most of the administration. More about documents can be found in the overview of required documents.

List of documents for the funeral service

When arranging a funeral with a funeral service, you will need:

• Your identity card (or other proof of identity)
• The deceased's identity card (if available)
• The deceased's birth certificate or marriage certificate
• "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého) (you receive this from the doctor, or the funeral service may obtain it directly from the healthcare facility)
• Clothing for the deceased (if you wish to provide your own clothing rather than the standard option)
• Information for the death notice (parte) (name, dates of birth and death, photograph)

Tip: If you do not have all the documents to hand immediately, do not worry. The funeral service will advise you on what is essential to begin the process and what can be provided later.

Obtaining the death certificate from the registry

The procedure for obtaining the death certificate (úmrtní list):

1. The healthcare provider sends the "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého) to the registry office (matriční úřad) within 3 working days of the examination.
2. The registry office registers the death and issues the death certificate within 30 days of receiving the certificate of examination.
3. The death certificate will be handed to you in person or sent by registered post.
4. The first copy of the death certificate is free of charge. Each additional copy costs an administrative fee of 300 Kč.

You need the death certificate for probate proceedings (dědické řízení), insurance claims, termination of contracts, and the funeral allowance application.

State funeral allowance (pohřebné)

The state provides a one-off contribution towards the funeral — the funeral allowance (pohřebné) of 5,000 Kč. Entitlement is granted to a person who arranged the funeral of:

• A dependent child
• A parent of a dependent child
• A foetus following a miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy

The application for the funeral allowance is submitted at the local branch of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic (Úřad práce ČR), retroactively, no later than 1 year from the date of the funeral. The applicant's income level has no bearing on entitlement. A detailed guide can be found in the article State Funeral Allowance: How to Apply.

Data on the funeral allowance is current as of March 2026. To verify the current amount, contact the Labour Office of the Czech Republic (Úřad práce ČR).

Timeline — What to Arrange and When

The organisation of a funeral can be divided into four time periods: the first day (calling a doctor and funeral service), days 1 to 3 (arranging the funeral and death notice), days 5 to 10 (the ceremony), and then administration in the following weeks and months. The following table serves as a clear plan.

Important: The 96-hour period from the notification of death is the statutory time limit within which the intention to arrange a funeral must be expressed. If nobody does so, the municipality will arrange the funeral. In practice, however, most families contact a funeral service during the first day.

What to Arrange After the Funeral — Checklist

After the funeral, a number of administrative matters await you, for which there is usually no space in the first days. Most of them can be dealt with gradually, over a period of weeks to months. You do not need to manage everything at once — what matters is that you do not forget anything essential.

In the first weeks after the funeral

• Collect the death certificate (úmrtní list) from the registry office (if it has not yet been delivered)
• Return the deceased's identity card to the registry office or municipal office
• Inform the deceased's employer (if you have not already done so)
• Contact the deceased's health insurer — report the death
• Contact the bank — block accounts; if necessary, arrange access to funds for the funeral payment
• Inform the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ) — especially if the deceased was receiving a pension
• Submit an application for the funeral allowance (pohřebné) at the Labour Office (if you are entitled)

In the following months

• Probate proceedings (dědické řízení) — the notary is appointed by the district court; you do not need to arrange this yourself; the court will contact you. A complete guide to probate proceedings, including the notary's fee and renouncing an inheritance, can be found in the article Probate Proceedings — A Guide for the Bereaved
• Terminate or transfer contracts — utilities, telephone, internet, subscriptions
• Handle insurance claims — life insurance, accident insurance
• Transfer vehicle registration (if the deceased owned a car)
• Cancel or redirect the postal box
• Deal with the tenancy agreement (if the deceased lived in rented accommodation)

This part of the process can be psychologically demanding. If you can, ask a close person or a lawyer for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after a death must the funeral take place?

According to the Czech Funeral Services Act (Zákon o pohřebnictví), the intention to arrange a funeral must be expressed within 96 hours of the notification of death. The funeral ceremony itself usually takes place 5 to 10 days after the death. The specific date depends on the agreement with the funeral service and the availability of the ceremonial hall.

Can I choose a different funeral service from the one that transported the body?

Yes, you have the full right to choose any funeral service, regardless of who transported the body. Nobody can compel you to use a particular service. We recommend comparing the offers of at least two funeral services before making your decision. Changing the funeral service is common and lawful.

How much does the cheapest funeral cost in the Czech Republic?

The cheapest form of funeral in the Czech Republic is cremation without a ceremony, the price of which in 2026 ranges from 10,000 to 22,000 Kč. It includes the transport of the body, cremation, and an urn. Earth burial costs from 45,000 Kč. A detailed cost overview can be found in our article How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the Czech Republic 2026.

Who pays for the funeral when the deceased has no family?

If nobody arranges the funeral within 96 hours, the municipality in whose territory the death occurred will arrange the funeral. The municipality covers the costs from its own budget and may subsequently recover them from the heirs, if any exist. This procedure is governed by the Funeral Services Act No. 256/2001 Coll.

Summary

Organising a funeral is a demanding process, especially if you are encountering it for the first time. Here are the most important points:

• Immediately after a death, call a doctor (155) and then contact a funeral service. Within 96 hours of the notification of death, you must express the intention to arrange a funeral.
• You choose the funeral service freely — you are not obliged to use the one that transported the body. Compare at least two offers.
• In the Czech Republic, approximately 85% of funerals are cremations. Cremation without a ceremony is the least expensive option (from 10,000 Kč). Earth burial costs from 45,000 Kč.
• Civil and religious funerals are equal. The choice depends on the wishes of the family and the deceased.
• To arrange a funeral, you need your identity card and the deceased's, the deceased's birth or marriage certificate, and the "Certificate of Examination of the Deceased" (List o prohlídce zemřelého).
• The death certificate (úmrtní list) is issued by the registry office within 30 days. The first copy is free of charge.
• The funeral allowance (pohřebné) of 5,000 Kč is available under conditions stipulated by law — apply at the Labour Office (Úřad práce ČR) within 1 year.
• After the funeral, administration awaits — probate proceedings, termination of contracts, contacting authorities. Take it one step at a time.

Remember: there is no universally "right" funeral. What matters is that it corresponds to the wishes of your family.

Related Articles

• How Much Does a Funeral Cost in the Czech Republic 2026 — a complete price overview for cremation and earth burial
• Documents Required for a Funeral — a list of all documents you will need
• Cremation in the Czech Republic: Guide — everything about cremation, types of urns, and ash interment
• How to Choose a Funeral Service — what to ask and what to avoid
• State Funeral Allowance: How to Apply — eligibility conditions, forms, deadlines
• Funeral Traditions in the Czech Republic — civil and religious funerals, Dušičky (All Souls' Day), and other customs
• What to Do When Someone Dies — first steps after the death of a loved one
• Funeral Services in Prague — an overview of funeral services in the capital
• Funeral Services in Brno — an overview of funeral services in Brno
• Digital Memorial: Preserve the Memory — how to create an online page of remembrance