What to do when a loved one dies
What is important to know at the moment of loss when a close person dies, which documents confirming death are required, and how to receive the funeral allowance you are entitled to — share the consultants of “Vilniaus laidojimo namai”. We hope these tips will be useful to you and will help you get through the loss more easily and focus on the practical arrangements.
Handling documents
When a person dies, relatives often feel confused, grieve, and do not know which documents they should start dealing with first. In such a situation — especially if the loss occurs at home — the specialists we spoke to advise calling the general emergency number 112, which operates throughout Lithuania. After notifying medical staff about the death, contact a funeral service representative (Vilniaus laidojimo namai contacts in Lithuania and the United Kingdom). Their staff consult 24/7 and will provide the necessary information about transporting the deceased and organizing the funeral.
We provide information and services 24/7:
Lithuania: +370 650 25 350
Branch in the United Kingdom: +44 78 0357 5235
Death certificate
The document certifying the fact of death is issued by the family doctor who provided primary healthcare services, or by the responsible specialist of the institution where the deceased was treated.
Who confirms the fact of death?
- An ambulance nursing specialist — service provided 24/7.
- A family doctor, if they cared for the deceased in the last days of their life.
- If the doctor is not available during working hours — another qualified nursing care specialist who directly provided healthcare services to the deceased.
- If a person died in a public place or the death was violent — a forensic medical expert after an examination.
It is important to know that the body of a person who died at home must be handed over to the funeral service organizer and transported to refrigeration facilities within 2 hours.
One-time funeral allowance
With a death certificate, you can apply for a one-time funeral allowance. From January 1, 2023, the amount is 8 BSI (basic social benefit), i.e., 392 euros.
The funeral allowance is paid to the person arranging the burial when the deceased is:
- a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who held a long-term resident permit to live in the European Union issued by the Republic of Lithuania
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who was issued a temporary residence permit as a person intending to work in the Republic of Lithuania in a job requiring high professional qualifications
- a person living in the Republic of Lithuania who was granted asylum in the Republic of Lithuania
- a person to whom this law must be applied in accordance with European Union regulations on the coordination of social security systems
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who was issued a temporary residence permit and allowed to work in the Republic of Lithuania and who, prior to death, worked in the Republic of Lithuania or had previously worked for at least 6 months and was registered with the territorial labour exchange as unemployed
- a citizen of an EU Member State or a Member State of the European Economic Area belonging to the European Free Trade Association, and their family member, who were issued documents confirming or granting the right to reside in the Republic of Lithuania
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who was issued a permit to perform seasonal work in the Republic of Lithuania
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who was issued a temporary residence permit as a person transferred within a company
- citizens of Australia, Japan, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and their family members living in the Republic of Lithuania who were issued temporary residence permits
- a foreigner living in the Republic of Lithuania who was granted asylum or temporary protection in the Republic of Lithuania
The allowance is also paid when the child of the above-mentioned persons is stillborn.
The funeral allowance is not paid when the burial is financed from the state budget or municipal budgets.
The person arranging the burial must apply for the funeral allowance no later than 12 months from the date the entitlement arises, to the municipal administration according to the deceased person’s last declared place of residence; if their place of residence was not declared — their last place of residence; or according to the applicant’s declared place of residence. The applicant may also apply according to the registered address of a legal entity.
Documents required to receive the support:
- an identity document of the person entitled to receive the support
- an application to receive support in the event of death
- a medical death certificate (if the child was stillborn — a medical perinatal death certificate), if the person’s death is not registered in the Population Register of the Republic of Lithuania
The allowance is paid from the municipal budget and must be paid to the person arranging the burial no later than 24 hours from the day the municipal administration receives the application and all required documents, when the application is submitted within 10 working days from the date the entitlement arises. If the application is submitted later than 10 days from the date the entitlement arises, the decision may be made and the support paid within one month from the date all required documents are submitted.
Organizing the funeral
Some people prepare for funerals in advance: they have a funeral plan and a budget, which eases worries and grief for their relatives. However, when death happens unexpectedly or there was no preparation, long-term practice shows that the most reliable way is to entrust all funeral organizational matters to a company providing funeral services. The funeral planners at “Vilniaus laidojimo namai” can help professionally resolve all issues related to handling documents, transporting the deceased, preparing the viewing hall, taking care of cremation or traditional burial arrangements, and providing information on where to turn and how to cope with emotional grief.
