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Surviving death

Death is a morbid subject, but one of life’s inevitabilities. How are practicalities handled here?
Official matters
A death in the Netherlands needs to be reported to the municipality in which it occurred, and this is usually done by the undertaker who also requests a death certificate.

There can’t be much delay in the proceedings that follow as Dutch law states: “Burial or cremation is to take place no earlier than 36 hours after the death, and no later than the sixth working day after the death.”

Repatriation
In order to arrange repatriation of a body, help will be required from the embassy. Expect a fair bit of paperwork and be sure to check any airline, carrier or local regulations beforehand. Schiphol airport is unusual in that it has its own mortuary, which helps the process.

Burial versus cremation
Graves are leased for a minimum period of ten years, and in Delft can be leased for up to 30 years, although this varies per municipality. An extension can be negotiated thereafter, for a price. Once the lease is up, the remains are moved to a communal grave. Following a cremation, ashes are held by the crematorium for one month in case they’re needed for criminal investigation. You cannot simply scatter ashes where you please, permission from the municipality or land owner is needed. Delft has three public cemeteries, and one crematorium.

Body donation
Donating your body to medical science is possible by prior arrangement with a university anatomical institute. You can also register as an organ or tissue donor. They are independent arrangements, so if you do both, the latter will have priority.

Customs
Obituaries are often published in local newspapers, and death announcements are sent to family and friends along with details of funeral arrangements. It’s normal to send a sympathy card in return. Funeral wishes are often expressed beforehand. If not, the family decides the details. Funerals vary and may or may not include a church service. If it does, don’t be caught unawares by the collection tray for donations to the church or a nominated charity. The family normally receive guests one by one by shaking hands, a few words are said, followed by some music. A wake follows, where everyone gets together to reminisce. Traditionally a coffee and cake affair, these days champagne is not unheard of either. Black clothes were typical mourning attire,al-though less so nowadays. Funerals are generally invite only, and not drop-in affairs. De Eenzame Uitvaart attend funerals where there are no family or friends, and read poems to avoid a lonely end. If there’s no family capable of being pallbearers, students can be hired for the job.

Costs
Many people have insurance to cover the cost of funeral expenses that are often upwards of €5,000.

Wills
A will is not compulsory, but it allows you to decide who inherits what after your death. In the absence of a will there are strict rules that dictate who gets what. Only a notary can write a will, and they’re expensive, DIY wills are not legally valid here. Interestingly, it’s impossible to completely disinherit children, unless they agree. It is possible to refuse an inheritance, if it includes debts for example.

Euthanasia
The Netherlands is well-known for its assisted suicide policy. “Under Dutch law, any action intended to terminate life is in principle a criminal offence. The only exemption from criminal liability is where a patient is experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement and the attending physician fulfils the statutory due care criteria,” state government guidelines. It must be a voluntary well-considered request, with two physicians agreeing to the plan. Patients need not be terminal, and the majority are cancer sufferers. Requests can be made in advance with a living will. Only citizens and residents are eligible because of the requirement of an ongoing doctor/patient relationship.

Editor Redactie

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