Content
Basic information about funerals
If you disagree on the funeral matters
Funeral in the event of death in Denmark
If the deceased had permanent residence in Denmark
If the deceased had a permanent residence abroad, or in the Faroe Islands or in Greenland
Funeral in the event of death abroad
If the deceased had a permanent residence in Denmark
Funeral with subsequent burial/cremation in Denmark
Cremation abroad, burial in Danish cemetery without ceremony
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Basic information about funerals
When a person dies in Denmark, or is buried in Denmark, these events are registered in the CPR. The process differs as to where the person died and where the funeral takes place. Please find the specific situation and read further in the following.
For the registration in the CPR, a request for the burial or cremation (in Danish: “Anmodning om begravelse/ligbrænding”) must always be completed according to the specific event:
- funeral within the Danish National church with subsequent burial
- funeral within another (recognized) religious community
- civil memorial ceremony without the attendance of a priest
- no ceremony
- cremation
- burial of the coffin in a cemetery/woodland cemetery or private land
- scattering of the ashes over open water
- dividing the ashes for scattering and burial
- bringing the ashes or coffin to another country
> Read more on funerals and cremation
It is usually the undertaker who completes the request after talking to the next of kin, but it is not required to use the services of an undertaker. The relatives can also complete the request themselves either online with MitID - or on paper. Please note: the request is in Danish only.
> Find the online request for burial/cremation with MitID on borger.dk (in Danish only)
> Download the request for burial/cremation on paper (pdf.) (in Danish only)
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
If you disagree on the funeral matters
If you disagree on the funeral matters, you can submit several requests containing different wishes.
The funeral authority will then decide which request to approve. Everyone who has completed a request will be notified of the decision. Those whose wishes are not granted may appeal against the decision.
Any requests for appeal must be sent to the funeral authority, who will forward them to the Probate Court for processing. The decision by the Probate Court is final and cannot be appealed.
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
Funeral in the event of death in Denmark
If the deceased had permanent residence in Denmark
The parish of residence of the deceased is the funeral authority, who registers what happens with the deceased.
An online request for burial/cremation is automatically sent to the funeral authority who will make the decision.
If the request is completed on paper, it must be handed in or sent by ordinary post to the funeral authority. Please do not send it by email.
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
If the deceased had a permanent residence abroad, or in the Faroe Islands or in Greenland
The request for burial/cremation must be completed on paper and handed in or sent by ordinary post to the parish where the death occurred. The request on paper must not be sent by mail.
You can find the parish by searching on the place of death and use the link below:
> Find the parish on borger.personregistrering.dk
Please note: If the deceased did not have a Danish civil registration number, copies of the deceased's passport or other documents must be attached to the request. This information will be used to assign a civil registration number to register the information on death and funeral in the CPR.
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
Funeral in the event of death abroad
When a person with an affiliation with Denmark dies abroad, the rules stipulating which information should be registered and the method of registration in Denmark depend on various circumstances.
If the deceased had a permanent residence in Denmark
A Request for burial/cremation must be completed and delivered to the funeral authority - the parish of residence of the deceased who will then process the request and decide what will happen with the deceased.
It is usually the undertaker who completes the request after talking to the next of kin, but it is not required to use the services of an undertaker. The relatives can also complete the request themselves either online with MitID - or on paper. Please note: the request is in Danish only.
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
Please note: If the request is completed on paper, it must be handed in or sent by ordinary post to the funeral authority. Please do not send it by email.
> Find the online request for burial/cremation with MitID on borger.dk (in Danish only)
> Download the request for burial/cremation on paper (pdf.) (in Danish only)
If the deceased had a permanent residence abroad, in the Faroe Islands or in Greenland and had a Danish civil registration number
A Request for burial/cremation does not need to be submitted unless it was the wish of the deceased to have a funeral with attendance of a priest with subsequent burial/cremation in Denmark.
The event of death should be registered in the CPR by contacting Folkeregistret (Citizen Service Centre) in the municipality where the deceased used to live. They must receive a copy of the death certificate.
Funeral with subsequent burial/cremation in Denmark
The event of death is registered in the CPR by Folkeregistret (Citizen Service Centre) in the municipality where the deceased used to live. They must receive a copy of the death certificate and registered as soon as possible.
A Request for burial/cremation must be completed on paper and handed in or sent by ordinary post to the parish where the burial is to take place. Please do not send the request by email.
> Download the request for burial/cremation on paper (pdf.) (in Danish only)
Cremation abroad, burial in Danish cemetery without ceremony
If the deceased was cremated abroad, and the urn is to be buried in a cemetery in Denmark, the death must be registered in the CPR by Folkeregistret (Citizen Service Centre) in the municipality where the deceased used to live. Folkeregistret must receive a copy of the death certificate to register it.
A Request for burial/cremation is unnecessary to complete. The urn is only registered at the cemetery office.
> Look up any words and terms that you are not familiar with
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Other relevant links
What types of ceremony can you choose?
How to do with the coffin/urn