What to Do When Someone Dies: First Steps, Required Documents and Practical Organization

Contents

• Introduction
• What to do when someone dies: the first hours
• Required documents — step by step
• Practical organization of the funeral
• Complete timeline: the first 72 hours
• What not to do — common mistakes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary
• Related Articles

Introduction

We understand that you are going through an extremely difficult time. The loss of a loved one brings not only immense pain, but also an avalanche of practical matters that must be handled when your thoughts are elsewhere. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, and it is perfectly acceptable to ask for help.

This guide on what to do when someone dies was designed precisely for these moments — as a calm, practical and comprehensive companion that shows you step by step what needs to be done, in what order, what documents are required and where to obtain them. You do not need to remember everything. You can return to this article whenever you need clarification.

We will guide you through the first hours after death, through the process of obtaining the death certificate (certificat de deces), through choosing a funeral service company and through the practical organization of the funeral. You will also find a clear timeline table with each action, who performs it and the deadline.

This guide is addressed to families in Romania facing a death in the family for the first time — whether the death occurred at home, in hospital or in other circumstances. The information is valid throughout Romania and has been verified against legislation in force at the date of publication (15 March 2026).

In addition to the official steps, more and more families choose to create a digital memorial from the very first days — an online space where relatives and friends can add condolences, photographs and memories.

What to do when someone dies: the first hours

The first thing you must do is contact a doctor who will officially certify the death and issue the medical death certificate (Certificatul Medical Constatator al Decesului — CMCD). Without this document, no other step can proceed — neither registration of the death at the Civil Registry nor organizing the funeral. What to do when someone dies depends on where the death occurred.

If the death occurred at home

This is the situation that causes the most stress, as the family finds itself alone with the person who has passed away. Here is what you should do:

1. Do not panic and do not move the body. We know this is difficult, but it is important not to change anything in the room until the doctor arrives.

2. Call the family doctor if the death was expected (chronic illness, advanced age, palliative care patient). The family doctor will come to the home to certify the death.

3. Call 112 if the death was unexpected, sudden or the causes are unknown. The ambulance crew and, if necessary, the police will come to the home. In cases of suspicious or violent death, forensic medical intervention is mandatory.

4. Obtain the Medical Death Certificate (CMCD). This is the first and most important document. At home, it can be issued by:

   • The family doctor
   • The ambulance doctor
   • The forensic doctor (in cases of suspicious death)

5. Contact a licensed funeral service company. The company will take custody of the body and arrange transport to the mortuary chapel. Since 2016, holding a wake at home is no longer permitted by law in urban areas — the body must be transported to a licensed mortuary chapel.

If the death occurred in hospital

The procedure is simpler from an administrative standpoint:

1. The hospital issues the CMCD. The medical death certificate is completed by the on-duty doctor, the pathologist (if an autopsy was requested) or the forensic medical service.

2. The hospital keeps the body in the morgue, usually at no additional cost for the first 24 hours.

3. Contact a funeral service company to collect the body from the morgue and handle embalming, preparation and organization.

4. Collect the CMCD and documents from the hospital secretariat or the attending physician.

If the death occurred in other circumstances

• Road accident or workplace accident — the police and forensic medicine intervene; the family cannot collect the body without authorization
• Death abroad — contact the Romanian Embassy or Consulate in the relevant country, which will guide the repatriation procedure
• Death of a military service member — special procedures apply; consult our guide on military funerals

Required documents — step by step

Obtaining the documents required for a funeral in Romania involves three main stages: the medical certificate, registration at the Civil Registry and authorization of the burial. Each stage has specific documents and legal deadlines.

Stage 1 — Medical Death Certificate (CMCD)

This is the foundational document without which nothing else can proceed. It is obtained from the doctor who certifies the death (see the previous section).

What the CMCD contains:

• Personal details of the deceased
• Date, time and place of death
• Cause of death
• Doctor's signature and seal, medical facility stamp

Stage 2 — Death certificate from the Civil Registry

With the CMCD in hand, the next step is to register the death at the Local Community Public Service for Personal Records (SPCLEP) or at the town hall in whose jurisdiction the death occurred.

Legal deadline: a maximum of 3 calendar days from the date of death (not counting the day of death itself). For violent or suspicious deaths, the deadline is 48 hours.

Documents required for registration:

What you receive: The death certificate (certificat de deces — the official document needed for all subsequent procedures) and the burial/cremation permit (adeverința de înhumare/incinerare).

Stage 3 — Funeral authorization

For the actual funeral to take place, the following are also required:

• Sanitary authorization for transport and embalming — obtained by the funeral service company
• Sanitary permit for burial — from the Public Health Directorate (Direcția de Sănătate Publică — DSP)
• Cemetery contract — for the burial plot concession (concesiunea locului de veci)
• Embalming certificate — issued by the licensed funeral company

Did you know? From the very first days, you can create an online memorial page where family and friends from around the world can add condolences and photographs — a digital place of remembrance, accessible at any time. Create a memorial page on Kinmory

Practical organization of the funeral

Once the documents have been obtained, the practical organization of the funeral involves choosing a funeral service company, deciding on the ceremony type (religious or civil), selecting the cemetery and coordinating all logistical details. Most families engage a funeral service company that manages all these aspects.

Choosing a funeral service company

This is one of the most important decisions you will make. We recommend:

• Request at least 2-3 quotes before signing any contract
• Verify the license — the company must hold a sanitary authorization in accordance with current regulations
• Ask for a detailed estimate — with each service and product itemized, not just a lump sum
• Ask about included services — transport, embalming, coffin, wreaths, mortuary chapel, cortege transport

For a detailed guide, consult our article on how to choose a funeral service company.

Types of ceremony

Orthodox religious ceremony — the most common in Romania — includes the funeral liturgy (prohodul) officiated by a priest, the wake at the chapel, the absolution prayer (dezlegarea) and the procession to the cemetery. Contact the parish in your area or that of the deceased.

Catholic or Protestant religious ceremony — follows the specific rites of the denomination. Contact the parish or religious community.

Civil (secular) ceremony — for families who do not wish for a religious component. A farewell ceremony is organized with speeches, music and moments of reflection, without a church service.

What needs to be chosen and decided

• The coffin — material, model, size
• Wreaths and flower arrangements — number and type
• The burial plot — cemetery, plot, concession (for 7 or 25 years, with the possibility of extension)
• Type of funeral — burial or cremation
• Clothing — the clothes in which the deceased will be dressed (consult what to wear to a funeral)
• The memorial meal (pomana/parastas) — organizing the meal after the funeral, according to tradition

Estimated costs

The total cost of a funeral in Romania varies greatly, depending on the locality, the type of services chosen and the level of ceremony. For a detailed estimate, consult our article on how much a funeral costs in Romania in 2026.

Do not forget: you are entitled to the state funeral benefit (ajutor de deces). Read our guide on the funeral benefit in 2026 to learn how to obtain it.

Complete timeline: the first 72 hours

Below is a timeline table with all the actions you need to take, in order, from the moment of death to the funeral. This table can be saved or printed for reference.

What not to do — common mistakes

In moments of pain and confusion, it is easy to make decisions that you may later regret. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Do not sign contracts under pressure

Some funeral service companies may try to convince you to sign quickly, citing urgency. You have at least 24 hours at your disposal. Do not sign anything without reading the entire contract and without comparing at least 2-3 quotes.

Do not accept "all inclusive" packages without details

Always ask for a detailed estimate, with each service and product listed separately. Lump-sum packages can hide additional costs or services you do not need.

Do not discard the deceased's documents

Keep all identity documents, medical records, insurance policies, bank statements and official correspondence. You will need them for succession proceedings, canceling contracts and obtaining financial assistance.

Do not neglect the funeral benefit

Many people do not know they are entitled to the state funeral benefit or forget to submit the application on time. The 9,192 lei benefit can be claimed within 3 years, but it is recommended to submit the application as soon as possible. Full information is in our guide on the funeral benefit.

Do not make all decisions alone

Ask for help from other family members, close friends or the funeral service company. You do not have to do everything alone. It is perfectly fine to delegate tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if someone dies at home?

If a person dies at home, the first step is to contact the family doctor or call 112 if the death was unexpected or the cause is unknown. The doctor will certify the death and issue the Medical Death Certificate (Certificatul Medical Constatator al Decesului — CMCD). Do not move the body or change anything in the room until the doctor arrives. Then, contact a licensed funeral service company.

What documents are required to register a death in Romania?

To register a death at the Civil Registry (Starea Civilă), you need: the Medical Death Certificate (CMCD) in original, the deceased's identity document in original, the deceased's birth certificate, the marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable), and the declarant's identity document. The declaration must be made within 3 days of the date of death.

How soon must the funeral be organized in Romania?

In Romania, funerals typically take place within 24-72 hours of death, depending on the family's traditions, cemetery availability and the time needed to obtain documents. Embalming is mandatory by law and must be performed within the first 24-48 hours. There is no strict legal maximum deadline, but sanitary regulations require timely embalming.

How much is the funeral benefit in 2026 and who receives it?

The funeral benefit (ajutor de deces) in 2026 is 9,192 lei for the death of an insured person or pensioner and 4,596 lei for an uninsured family member. It is paid to the person who proves they bore the funeral expenses — the spouse, children, parents, guardian or any other person who provides proof of expenses. It can be claimed within 3 years of the date of death.

What should I NOT do immediately after a death in the family?

Do not sign contracts with funeral service companies under pressure or in the first moments of shock. Do not accept the first offer without comparing at least 2-3 options. Do not discard the deceased's identity documents or medical records. Do not open bank or legal files without consulting a notary. Do not rush into permanent decisions — you have at least 24 hours at your disposal.

Summary

• The first step is obtaining the Medical Death Certificate (CMCD) — from the family doctor, ambulance or hospital
• Call 112 if the death is unexpected or the cause is unknown
• Registration at the Civil Registry must be done within 3 days of the death
• Embalming is mandatory by law and must be completed within the first 24-48 hours
• Choose the funeral service company carefully — request at least 2-3 detailed quotes
• Do not sign contracts under pressure and do not make permanent decisions in the first hours of shock
• The funeral benefit (9,192 lei in 2026) is obtained from the pension fund (Casa de Pensii) or the employer
• Keep all documents belonging to the deceased — you will need them for succession and financial procedures
• The information in this article is valid as of the publication date (15 March 2026). We recommend verifying with the competent local authorities

Related Articles

• How to organize a funeral step by step — complete guide to organizing a funeral
• How to choose a funeral service company — selection criteria and important questions
• Death certificate — how to obtain it in Romania — detailed procedure for registering a death
• Funeral benefit in 2026 — who receives it, how much and how to apply
• How much does a funeral cost in Romania in 2026 — estimated prices and cost breakdown

Preserve memories

Create a digital memorial on Kinmory — an online space where family and friends can add photographs, condolences and memories. Accessible anytime, from anywhere, for all those who wish to remember their loved one.

Create a digital memorial