WHERE TO APPLY IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF A PERSON

In the event of a death, except in the case of a death in a hospital, the first thing to do is to report the death to the general emergency phone number 112. The helpdesk staff will inform the medics or the police (if the person dies in a public place or in violent or other suspicious circumstances), who will determine the cause of death and perform all the necessary procedures.

If you find that the person is already dead and first aid (cardiac massage, artificial respiration or other emergency resuscitation techniques) cannot help, you must not touch or move the deceased person’s body, as contact could destroy evidence needed to establish the cause of death.

If the person dies in a medical facility, Western Lithuanian Crematorium or other institutions providing these services can be contacted immediately for burial procedures.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED TO CONFIRM THE FACT OF DEATH?

Emergency medical technicians, nurses and doctors working in a medical institution, family doctors and forensic experts have the right to certify the death.

The death certificate is issued by the family doctor or his/her deputy who provided the healthcare.

HOW IS THE FUNERAL ALLOWANCE GRANTED?

When a person dies, the funeral allowance is paid within 24 hours of the official request. It is paid to the persons who are responsible for the funeral arrangements for the deceased.

The following legal steps must be taken in order to receive the funeral allowance:

• Apply to the social assistance department of the municipality (district) according to the deceased’s former place of residence or the place of residence of the funeral director.
• Complete an official application for the allowance (at the municipality, district office or remotely).
• Submit the original and a copy of the deceased’s death certificate and the identity document of the person in charge of the funeral services (identity card, passport or permanent residence authorisation) with the application.

If you want to receive the burial allowance, you should do so within 6 months of the death of your loved one.

FUNERAL ALLOWANCE IN LITHUANIA MAY BE PAID TO:

• Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania whose permanent place of residence is the Republic of Lithuania.
• Foreign nationals residing in Lithuania (foreign nationals who have obtained a permanent residence authorisation in the Republic of Lithuania).
• Persons who have been granted refugee status in the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with the procedure established by law.
• The child of any of the above, if the child is stillborn (at least 22 weeks of gestation).

HOW TO ARRANGE FOR THE PRESERVATION AND PREPARATION OF THE REMAINS FOR BURIAL

The body of a person who has died at home should be handed over to the undertaker and transported to the cold room within 2 hours of the confirmation of death.

The body of a deceased person cannot be kept in hospital for more than 4 days. If the hospital has its own post-mortem department with adequate refrigeration facilities, the body may be kept there longer.

The body of a person who has died in a public place or under suspicious legal circumstances is transported to the nearest forensic investigation facility and kept there until the circumstances of the death have been established.

The team at Western Lithuanian Crematorium is always ready to help its clients with issues related to obtaining allowances, preparation of burial documents and preparation of the remains for burial procedures.

For more information about the procedures of burial of remains and other consultations, please contact: