After someone passes away, there’s a lot to arrange in a short amount of time. In The Netherlands, the funeral must take place within six days after the passing. Therefore, there’s a lot to think about. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you have everything taken care of. Please note that these are the rules and guidelines for The Netherlands. Other countries may have other laws and practices.
Step 1
After someone passes, their death needs to be confirmed by a doctor. If they have not passed in a hospital or hospice, make sure to contact a general practitioner. In addition, be sure to inform family, close friends, and if necessary any close colleagues.
Administrative tasks
Contact the local municipality where the passing has taken place to obtain the death certificate, which is needed for the burial and cremation. It’s also advisable to call the insurance company – if the departed had a funeral insurance, it may cover some or all of the costs for the funeral.
Call the funeral director
Most people turn to a funeral service provider for help organizing the funeral, including the viewing, transportation, and ceremony. It’s a good idea to contact them as soon as possible after the death so that everything can be arranged promptly and to relieve some of the burden on the family.
The viewing
Would you like to be involved in preparing the deceased for the viewing? You can assist with washing and dressing the body if desired. Sustainability is increasingly being considered in funeral planning, and there are eco-friendly alternatives to embalming. For instance, cooling (instead of embalming) and using materials like willow baskets or the Loop ForestBed™ made from mushrooms, upcycled hemp fibers and moss.
Burial or cremation
One of the first decisions to make is whether to opt for burial or cremation. If the departed did not leave specific instructions, consider their personality and what they would have preferred. Your funeral director can guide you in making this choice.
Choose the date and location
Since the funeral must take place within six days, it’s important to choose a date as soon as possible. The funeral director can help you find a location, whether it’s outdoors in nature, indoors in a church, or another meaningful place. Many venues also offer live streaming for those who can’t attend in person.
Funeral invitations
You have complete freedom to personalize the funeral invitations and announcements, from short and simple to more elaborate and personal, depending on what suits the departed.
Coffin or urn
Eco-friendly options for caskets and urns are becoming more popular. For example, the soft and organic Loop Living Cocoon™ is made from mushrooms that enrich nature after burial, while the Loop EarthRise™ urn can be used as a unique home ornament or to plant a tree or flower.
Funeral flowers and transportation
Flowers are a symbol of remembrance and play a key role in the farewell. Funeral transportation is also an important consideration, with sustainable alternatives to the traditional hearse now available.
Catering
Funeral catering can range from simple coffee and cake to a full reception with drinks and snacks. It’s a comforting way to spend time with family and friends after the ceremony, and to discuss shared memories.
During the ceremony
While organising the funeral, you have to make some decisions for the funeral service: who will carry the coffin? What funeral music will be played? Which photos and/or videos will be shown? Is there someone who would like to prepare a speech? You can decide these with close family members or seek the funeral director’s help.
After the ceremony
Once the funeral is over, there are still a few practical matters to address. After the burial, you’ll need to choose and arrange for a gravestone, which may take a few months to be created and installed. After a cremation, you’ll have to decide where the ashes will be kept or scattered. You’ll also need to think about closing their bank accounts, memberships, and social media profiles.
Want to plan ahead and explore our mushroom products? Request our free Discovery Box with more information or book a free tour to see our sustainble funeral products up close.