Arrange a funeral

In the Netherlands a funeral director usually arranges the funeral. But you can also arrange this yourself at the Kerkhoflaan and Westduin municipal cemeteries. If there are no next of kin, the municipality will arrange the funeral.

First determine the time and date of the funeral. Reserve the time slot as soon as possible at the office of the municipal cemetery. This must be at least 24 hours in advance. Have you determined the time? Then you can request the funeral (see Begin link: Begrafenis aanvragen, end link. ).

Opening hours for funerals

• The cemeteries are open for funerals from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 15.00 hrs.

• On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays a funeral can begin at the earliest at 12.00 hrs.

Public holidays in the Netherlands are:

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• Easter Monday
• King’s Day (27 April)
• Liberation Day (5 May)
• Ascension Day
• Whit Monday
• 25 and 26 December

Auditorium and condolence area

At the Kerkhoflaan and Westduin municipal cemeteries, you can also rent an auditorium or condolence area for the funeral.

Arrange a funeral through municipality

Are there no next of kin to arrange the funeral? Then the police or the funeral home will report this to the municipality. The Department of Special Help will investigate if there are any next of kin. If there are indeed none, the municipality will commission the burial or cremation. This is stated in Article 21 of the Burial and Cremation Act (see the website Begin external link: wetten.overheid.nl(External link), end external link. ).

You can phone the Department of Special Help on tel. (070) 752 73 60.

Surcharges

On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays and after 16.30 hrs. the rates are higher. For example, for the burial or cremation, the use of the auditorium, the organ and/or the sound system and the condolence area. The rates will be raised by a surcharge.

Uitvaart App

The Uitvaart App provides information on the municipal cemeteries and their facilities. You can use it to make arrangements and reserve certain rooms. Download the app for Begin external link: iPhone(External link), end external link. or Begin external link: Android(External link), end external link. .

Also see: Begrafenis regelen (in Dutch)