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Declaring a death

Written by the Hexaciv editorial team · Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026 · Our method

Read in: Français · العربية

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Key points of the sheet

1. The declaration makes the death official and allows the funeral to begin. Any adult who has information on the civil status of the deceased can make it.
2. If the death happens in a hospital or in an EHPAD, a health professional certifies the death. He or she writes the death certificate.
3. If the death happens at home, you must call the family doctor (médecin traitant) or SOS Médecins. On a public road, you must call the police or the gendarmerie.
4. You must also inform close ones: family, friends, neighbours.
5. Any adult can declare the death, preferably a close one. For example, a relative or a person who has information on the civil status of the deceased.
6. At the town hall, the person making the declaration shows his or her identity document and an identity document of the deceased. He or she also shows the death certificate, if possible.
7. You must also inform the employer of the deceased person.

Words to know

death declaration (déclaration de décès)

It is a compulsory and free step at the town hall. It makes the death official.

death certificate (certificat de décès)

In a hospital or an EHPAD, a health professional writes it. On a public road, the police or the gendarmerie write it.

family doctor (médecin traitant)

If the death happens at home, you must call the family doctor of the deceased person or SOS Médecins.

funeral (obsèques)

The death declaration allows the funeral to begin.

More in this topic (Administrative procedures)

• The marriage declaration
• The declaration of birth
• The steps to obtain French nationality