Taking a deceased person out of the Netherlands
Do you wish to transport the body of a deceased person from the Netherlands to a foreign country? To do this, you need transportation authorisation from the municipality where the person died. This is called a laissez-passer. In most cases, the funeral director submits the application for you.
If you wish to take the body of a deceased person to Belgium or Luxembourg, you do not need a laissez-passer. However, you must have written permission from the municipality, stating that that you may bury or cremate the deceased person. This is called leave for burial (verlof tot begraven) or leave for cremation (verlof tot cremeren). You submit the application for this leave at the same time as you register the death.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Municipality of Westerkwartier: Taking a deceased person out of the Netherlands
The person passed away in outside the Netherlands
Did the person pass away in outside the Netherlands? And do you want to transport them to the Netherlands? If so, you need to contact the municipality or local authority where the person passed away.
You (or a funeral director) must also register the death. You must do this in person (?) in the municipality where the deceased person is registered. To do so, you must make an appointment with the municipality.
The person passed away in the Netherlands
Did the person pass away in the Netherlands? And do you want to have them transported outside the Netherlands? If so, you (or a funeral director) must register the death. You must do this in the municipality where the deceased person is registered. To do so, you must make an appointment with the municipality.
Making an appointment with the municipality
You can make an appointment via:
Applying for a laissez-passer:
You can apply for a laissez-passer from the municipality. This must be done in person. You need to make an appointment to do so. You can do so:
Online:
By telephone:
+31 594 551 551
By email:
inwonerszaken@westerkwartier.nl
Death certificate
You will receive an Overlijdensakte (death certificate) when you register the death with the municipality. You need to make an appointment to do so. You can do so:
Online:
By telephone:
+31594 551 551
By email:
The following rates apply:
- Registering a death is free of charge
- A copy of a death certificate costs: € 15.70
- A laissez passer costs: € 10.60
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Westerkwartier
Visiting addresses
Tolberterstraat 66
9351BJ Leek
Monday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Tuesday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Wednesday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Thursday | 08:00 - 12:00 18:00 - 19:30 |
Friday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
Hooiweg 9
9861AJ Zuidhorn
Monday | 08:00 - 12:00 18:00 - 19:30 |
Tuesday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Wednesday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Thursday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Friday | 08:00 - 12:00 |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |