What to do after a death in Geneva: the steps, one by one

Have the death certified

The first step is the medical certification of death, which produces the certificate required for all the following steps. At home or in a care facility, a doctor issues it.

Register the death with the civil registry

The death must be reported to the civil registry office within a few days. In Geneva, the funeral company often assists families with this step and with submitting the documents.

Organise the funeral and contact the municipality

Next comes organising the funeral: cremation at the Saint-Georges crematorium or burial, ceremony, concession. This is the time to contact your municipality of residence, which manages the cemetery and often covers part of the costs.

Ask for a detailed quote before any commitment, and do not hesitate to compare. Keep in mind the distinction between one-off costs (service, coffin, ceremony) and recurring costs (renewing a concession) to budget without surprises.

The administrative steps that follow

Beyond the funeral, many steps await relatives: informing the funds (state pension, pension fund), insurers and the employer, and cancelling contracts. Planning your wishes in advance considerably eases this burden.