Help with funeral formalities in Poland

• Reporting the death at the appropriate civil registry office under authority.
• Arranging the required death-certificate copies.
• Contacting the cemetery about the grave and proposed date.
• Coordinating the agreed ceremony arrangements.
• Helping with the ZUS funeral benefit and eligible direct settlement.
• Checking transport documents when another country is involved.

Some tasks need separate signatures or evidence. We will explain any personal attendance or additional authority required; one signature should not be assumed to cover every institution.

Start with the death card, the deceased person's identification if available, and your own identification. Bring a grave reference and any relevant insurance or benefit information you have.

A Polish death is normally reported within three days of the death card being issued. Shorter rules apply to an infectious-disease death. Tell the adviser when the document was issued and what has already been done.

• The death card
• Registration and certificate copies

1. Confirm the tasks, authority and associated charges.
2. Record which originals or copies have been handed over.
3. Agree the outstanding decisions and who will make them.
4. Check the confirmed funeral date and payment arrangements.

If you are abroad, check the accepted signature and document format before posting originals or arranging translations. You can also handle some tasks yourself and ask us to assist with the rest.

The full paperwork checklist