A death in the family

The death of a close relative causes grief, but also requires a great many practical arrangements to be made. Hospitals and institutions inform the appropriate parties of a person’s death, but if a person dies unexpectedly, the police should be asked to investigate the cause of death.

Missing persons can be declared dead in a court of law. An application to declare a person dead can be made at any time if the legal requirements for making the application have been fulfilled.

Even people who do not belong to the church can have a grave in parish graveyards. Parishes and private undertakers provide help in arranging funerals. Practical help in making an inventory of the estate and dealing with inheritance is available from legal aid offices, for example.

After someone has died, family and close relatives can get help and advice, for example, from health care services, churches and organisations.

After a death in the family, the widow, and children under the age of 18, may be entitled to receive a family pension.