Sometimes death has a non-natural cause (accident or violence). As soon as the doctor who determines the death has doubts about the cause of death, he will not issue a death certificate, but will call in the municipal coroner.
Procedure for non-natural death
If the municipal coroner is also of the opinion that it is a non-natural death, he will report to the public prosecutor. He or she will determine whether further investigation by a police doctor or the Netherlands Forensic Institute is necessary into the circumstances and cause of death. After completion of the investigation, the public prosecutor may decide to lift the seizure of the body. He then issues a so-called 'certificate of no objection'. Sometimes the attachment on the body is maintained for a longer period of time.
With the declaration of no objection, the funeral director of the next of kin can apply for permission to bury or cremate from the Municipality. A cemetery or crematorium needs this permission to be allowed to bury or cremate the deceased.
Suicide and death by violence
In the event of a non-natural cause of death, the police will always be called in. The Criminal Investigation Department then starts an investigation. The detectives will question you and possibly confiscate personal belongings of the deceased. If you are the victim's next of kin but you have not found the deceased yourself, the police will come to you to inform you.
In the case of suicide, the procedure is usually completed fairly quickly and you get back the material that the police have collected. Many relatives opt for a silent funeral after suicide or cancel the opportunity to offer condolences. However, it can be important to do something very personal at the funeral to give the loss a place.
When dealing with grief after suicide, talking to fellow sufferers or care providers of the deceased can give some relief.
In the event of death by violence, you will have to deal with many more personal questions and your house will be searched. The investigation can take some time and it is therefore uncertain when the body of the deceased will be released. Under these circumstances, as a surviving relative, you will hardly be able to cope with the loss. In addition, you will also have to prepare for, for example, a court case in which you may be confronted with the perpetrator or with interest from the press or curious people. It can be helpful to call in a professional counsellor to help you cope with your loss. Your doctor can inform you about this. To guarantee your privacy, you can make agreements with the police. You can also consider temporarily moving to another address.
Suicide or death by violence have a major impact on both the bereaved and the farewell. Saying goodbye may require restoration or reconstruction of the deceased body.
Next of kin can turn to www.113.nl/nabestaanden for help, among others.