Regardless of the time, place, or circumstances of a death, by contacting our 24/7 emergency service in a timely manner, you will receive all the necessary information regarding the organization of a funeral or memorial service.

1.

Apply

When a death occurs within the City of Zagreb (in a house, apartment, public area, or any other location), it must be reported to the Zagreb Police Department by dialing 192 or the National Protection and Rescue Directorate by dialing 112.

They are to be provided with the BASIC INFORMATION FOR REPORTING A DEATH (if known), regardless of whether it is a natural death (due to illness or old age), an accident, or a violent death. Police officers and a coroner will arrive at the location where the death occurred as soon as possible.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR REPORTING A DEATH in a house, apartment, public area, or any other location:

Full name of the deceased
Time of death
Age of the deceased (years completed)
Place (address) where the death occurred
Whether the deceased suffered from any illness or was treated at a healthcare institution
Full name of the person reporting the death
Contact phone number

When a death occurs outside the City of Zagreb area (in a house, apartment, public area, or any other location), a death caused by natural causes (illness or old age) must be reported to the local health center or emergency medical services in the area where the death occurred.

In the event of an accident or violent death, the report is made to the local police department.

Police Department, phone number: 192 Emergency Medical Services, phone number: 194 National Protection and Rescue Directorate, phone number: 112

BASIC INFORMATION FOR REPORTING A DEATH in a house, apartment, public area, or any other location:

Full name of the deceased
Time of death
Age of the deceased (years completed)
Place (address) where the death occurred
Whether the deceased suffered from any illness or was treated at a healthcare institution
Full name of the person reporting the death
Contact phone number

If a death occurs in a hospital or another healthcare institution within the Republic of Croatia, the family should contact the ward where the person was admitted or treated.

After speaking with the physician on duty or the head of the department, and upon receiving the documentation required by the healthcare institution’s protocol, it is necessary to contact the hospital’s pathology department or the hospital morgue to arrange for the collection of the deceased. Before going to the hospital, please prepare the clothing and footwear in which the deceased will be buried and bring them with yo

Institutions or foster care providers of this type report the death to the competent coroner’s service, which will determine the cause of death. Following the examination, they will ensure that the deceased is transported from the room or ward to their mortuary.

The next of kin will be informed of the death and the subsequent procedures. Specifically, upon the admission of socially vulnerable residents, information is collected regarding memberships in associations such as funeral aid societies, burial plot details, and the person responsible for funeral expenses (if such a person exists). If the costs are covered by the competent Social Welfare Center, then the provision of funeral equipment and transportation to the mortuary is organized by the Center in coordination with the institution or foster care provider. The assigned social worker will ensure that every resident is buried with dignity, in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the coverage of costs for the socially vulnerable.

2.

Coroner's Examination

After reporting the death, police officers or a coroner will arrive at the location as soon as possible to examine the deceased and confirm the death. Before the coroner arrives, the following must be prepared:
Access to the deceased person so that the body can be examined and the cause of death determined
Medical documentation (if the deceased suffered from an illness or was treated at a healthcare institution)
A photo ID of the deceased so that their identity can be verified
Registry data of the deceased:

  • first and last name

  • maiden name (last name before marriage)

  • date and time of death

  • place of death

  • date of birth

  • place of birth

  • ethnicity

  • citizenship

  • occupation

  • residence and home address

  • marital status (first and last name of the spouse if the deceased was married)

  • first and last names of the parents of the deceased

After the coroner has completed the examination and issued the "burial permit" and "death certificate," the deceased can be collected and transported to the mortuary by a registered funeral company. This company must hold a permit from the competent city office, based on their headquarters, certifying they can perform funeral activities in accordance with the Law on Funeral Services.

In the case of natural death, the family may dress the body themselves or leave the task to the funeral company staff. It is customary for the deceased to be dressed in formal attire and for shoes to be placed on their feet.

Accident or Violent Death


According to the Criminal Code and the Act on the Examination and Determination of the Cause of Death, the official authorized to conduct the investigation and examine the deceased person may order the body to be sent to a competent institution for an autopsy. This is done to accurately determine the cause of death and all facts surrounding the circumstances of the death.

3.

Burial outside the place of death

The document for the transport of the deceased, the LAISSEZ-PASSER (Mortuary Passport), is issued by the competent sanitary inspector at the place of death if the deceased is to be buried outside the area (outside the jurisdiction of the same county) where they passed away. The following documents are required to issue a laissez-passer:
a completed application form, provided by the sanitary inspection office
death certificate
a confirmation from the cemetery or crematorium where the person will be buried (i.e., proof of a secured burial plot)
a copy of the vehicle registration certificate for the funeral vehicle that will transport the deceased
a photo ID (identity card or other photo identification) of the applicant, presented for inspection when submitting the application.
A funeral agency may also obtain the laissez-passer on behalf of the deceased's family.