After Death Procedure › Serenity Funeral Services

AFTER DEATH PROCEDURES

What should I do if someone dies of natural causes?

CONFIRM THE DEATH

If you are not in a hospital, call 112 or 061 and explain the situation. Make sure you have the documents on hand to identify the deceased person.

CONTACT A FUNERAL HOME

Contact the funeral director of your choice. They will handle the transportation and arrangement of the funeral service and keep you informed throughout the process.

THE TRANSFER OF THE DECEDENT

The deceased is transported to the chosen funeral director, where they must be kept in a refrigerated room. This service is not always available in Spanish hospitals.

What documents are required for the funeral?

MEDICAL DEATH CERTIFICATE

Issued by a doctor using the form established by the General Council of Official Medical Associations, it includes the details of both the deceased and the doctor who signs it.

REGISTRATION OF THE DEATH

This takes place at the town hall of the municipality where the death occurred, within 24 hours of the death. Upon completion, permission for the funeral service is granted and the deceased is removed from the population register.

ISSUE OF PERMIT/LICENSE

This permit allows for the burial or cremation of the deceased, provided that at least 24 hours have passed since the death. The town hall issues this document upon receipt of the death certificate.

What should I do if someone dies from unnatural causes?

STeP 1

The authorities handle the deceased, as it is crucial to determine the cause of death through a post-mortem examination.

STeP 2

An autopsy is performed, and the body is moved to the coroner's office for examination, usually the following day. During this procedure, the body cannot be moved.

STEP 3

The results of the autopsy may take some time to provide a definitive outcome for various reasons. Nevertheless, a preliminary cause of death is usually provided to facilitate the funeral process.

STEP 4

Transport to the funeral director occurs after the coroner has issued the necessary documentation. The chosen funeral company is responsible for transferring the body to the selected funeral home. Before the funeral service, the family must identify the deceased.

STEP 5

The next of kin must complete certain documents. While the funeral director can handle most essential procedures, some tasks, such as requesting the full autopsy results and, in certain jurisdictions, obtaining permission for cremation, transporting the body to another location, or identifying the body, may require family involvement.