To help you through this difficult time, we have put together a resource on how to register a death in Trinidad and Tobago (well, as far as we know anyway).
Before You Begin the Process
If your loved one has died at home, you need to call 881 (Ambulance) and his/her attending doctor to confirm that he/she has passed on.
On the other hand, if your loved one has died in the hospital, medical personnel will already be informed of their passing.
However, if there is a suspicion of violence or known violence involved in the death of your loved one, please call the police emergency hotline (999).
Step 1: Get a Signed Medical Cause of Death Form from the Attending Doctor
Your loved one’s attending doctor will provide you with a signed form which certifies his/her cause of death. If an autopsy is required, you will obtain this form after the autopsy has been performed.
Step 2 – Go to the Hospital/District Registrar
Go to the registrar assigned to the area in which your loved one passed on. You can find the list of registrars here.
You will need to walk with the following documents:
- Signed form from the attending physician
- Birth certificate with PIN no
- a form of national picture ID for you
- national passport or ID card of the deceased
If you cannot find your loved one’s birth certificate or they do not have a birth certificate with a PIN, you will need to go to the Registrar General first to get a specially issued birth certificate with a PIN before going to the hospital/district registrar to register your loved one’s passing.
The hospital registrar will give you the ‘white’ certificates i.e. the entry of the death in the register of deaths. You can use these papers to obtain a cremation permit or secure burial of your loved one.
However, in my opinion, it is best to obtain the death certificate of your loved one immediately in the event that he/she qualifies to receive for a NIS death benefit or if your loved one was receiving pension issued by the Pensions Department of Treasury (e.g. Widows and Orphans Benefit). You will also need the death certificate to sort out legal issues concerning your loved one’s property.
Step 3 – Get the Death Certificate
After you have completed the registration with the hospital/district registrar, take the following documents to the Registrar General’s office to obtain a computerised death certificate:
- national passport or ID card of the deceased;
- valid national picture identification for the person applying for the death certificate; and
- ‘white’ certificate from the hospital registrar.
Use the form here or obtain one at the office.There are 4 offices of the Registrar General that you can go to:
RGD Head Office – Port of Spain
AGLA Tower, Government Plaza, Corner of London and Richmond Streets, Port of Spain
Tel: 223-AGLA (2452)
RGD Sub-Office – Tobago
Caroline Building No .2, #11 Hamilton Street, Scarborough
Tel: 639-3210, 639-1330
RGD Sub-Office – San Fernando
#9 Leotaud Street, San Fernando
Tel: 653-8320, 657-7619
RGD Sub-Office – Arima
Pennywise Building, Second Floor, #10-10A Devenish Street, Arima
Tel: 667-1700, 664-5741
In my experience, it is best to apply for at least 2 originals of the death certificate. Each original costs $25.
At this point, you have completed the process of how to register a death in Trinidad and Tobago. However, keep reading for additional important information related to the death of your loved one.
Step 4: Apply for National Insurance Funeral Grant (if your loved one qualifies)
If you are paying for the funeral, you will be entitled to a funeral grant on your loved one’s behalf if he/she-
- made 25 contributions to the National Insurance Board (NIB/NIS) while engaged in insurable employment; OR
- was in receipt of Employment Injury Benefit at the time of death or would have been entitled to receive Employment Injury Benefit if he/she didn’t pass away.
Insurable employment means that, while your loved one was making contributions to the NIB, he/she was employed for services with a paycheck of $120.00 or more per week.
It is almost certain that long-standing government workers or salaried employees at large corporations will meet these minimum requirements. It’s not as straightforward if your loved one worked for a small business, in daily-paid work or was self-employed.
How much is the Funeral Grant?
As at August 2023, the funeral grant is $7,500.00, paid by cheque.
Time Period for Applying for a NIB/NIS Funeral Grant
According to the NIB’s website, you must submit a claim within 3 months of the date of death. Between 3 and 12 months, your claim may still be allowed for good cause. After 12 months, you will not be able to make a claim.
What Do You Need to Apply for a NIB/NIS Funeral Grant?
Go the your chosen NIB branch (locations here) with originals and copies of the following documents:
- death certificate
- receipt for funeral expenses in the name of the person applying for the grant (as at August 2023, this receipt represent the down-payment that was made to the funeral home)
- national insurance registration card of the deceased
- valid national picture identification for the deceased
- valid national picture identification for the person applying for the grant
What Is the Process to Apply for a NIB/NIS Funeral Grant?
When you arrive at the NIB branch, you will be instructed to use a machine to input the purpose of your visit. The machine will assign you a number and you will be instructed to sit and wait. Your number is assigned according to the type of application or claim that you have. This means that you may see people enter at the same time as you or after you and be seen before you. That’s because they are there for a different purpose.
Once you are at the counter, you will be asked to state your purpose and present the required documents to the NIB staff member. Processing the application/claim takes some time. Once the staff member confirms that your loved one is entitled to the funeral grant benefit and completes your application, you will receive a letter that is titled “Acknowledgment of Benefit Claim”.
It is important to confirm with the staff member when you may return to collect the funeral grant before you leave the counter.
When you return at the appointed time, ensure that you have the letter “Acknowledgement of Benefit Claim” with you. You will be instructed not to approach the counter until your name is called. At the counter, you will be handed the funeral grant cheque and a letter. Lastly, you must sign a form that indicates that you have received both before leaving the branch.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Funeral Grant?
Funeral grant applications are processed in 1 working day. If you go to the NIB branch early, you may be able to collect your cheque before the branch closes in the afternoon.
Additional Information for Cremations
If you intend to cremate the remains of your loved one, you will need a cremation permit. Apply for one at the Divisional Headquarters Police Station in the area of your loved one’s death. Check the list of Divisional Headquarters here.
Before you head to the Divisional Headquarters to apply for a cremation, ensure that you have a date, time and place for cremation arranged with the funeral home. You will need to walk with the originals and 2 copies of following documents:
- death certificate or the white paper given to you by the hospital registrar
- national passport or ID card of deceased
- a form of national picture ID for you
- Completed Forms A and C (and if applicable, addendum to form C) of the Application for a Cremation Permit
Forms to Apply for a Cremation Permit
The funeral home will normally give you the blank forms to apply for a cremation permit. It is extremely important to note that only the nearest next of kin can apply for a cremation permit. The nearest next of kin will complete Form A and the attending doctor or the district medical officer will complete Form C. Sometimes, the district medical officer and the attending doctor will need to sign off on the death. In that case, the attending doctor will complete Form C and the district medical officer will complete the addendum to Form C.
Form B is completed by the police. All original documents should be returned to you, which you will then take to the funeral home undertaking the cremation of your loved one.
Cremation Day
On the day of the cremation, walk with the cremation permit and the ID of the deceased, as the police officers will pass by to certify that the person being cremated is the person named on the death certificate and on their ID.
Additional Information for Burials (Coming Soon!)
Other Useful Links
Burial and Cremation – Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
Registrar General’s Department – Civil Registry
If there is anything that we have left out on how to register a death in Trinidad and Tobago, please comment below so that others may learn from your experience.