What to Do When Someone Dies in Bahamas: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Obtain Medical Certification of Death

   • Hospital or clinical deaths: When a death occurs in a hospital or medical facility such as Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau or Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, the attending physician issues the official Medical Certificate of Cause of Death [1]. This signed medical certificate is the mandatory foundational record required before civil registration or burial arrangements can proceed [1].
   • Deaths at home under medical care: If your family member died at home from natural causes while under active medical care, contact the attending physician or nearest community health clinic immediately so the doctor can examine the deceased and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death [1].
   • Sudden, unexplained, or non-natural deaths: If the death occurred unexpectedly, without recent medical attendance, or under accidental or suspicious circumstances, notify the Royal Bahamas Police Force immediately [2]. The case is referred to H.M. Coroner under the Coroners Act, and the body is transferred to the hospital morgue for a forensic post-mortem examination before the Coroner issues the certificate permitting registration and burial [1] [2].
2. 2

   Register the Death with the Registrar General's Department

   • Where to register: Every death occurring in The Bahamas must be officially recorded with the Registrar General's Department in Nassau or Freeport, or with the local Family Island Administrator's Office if the death occurred on a Family Island [1] [2].
   • Submission of the medical certificate: In practice, the licensed funeral director or mortician appointed by the family submits the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Death Registry section of the Registrar General's Department, though a qualified informant or next of kin may also complete the registration directly [1] [2].
   • Obtaining official death certificates: Once the Registrar enters the particulars into the official death register, you can request certified copies of the Death Certificate either in person at the Registrar General's Department or online through the Bahamas Government MyGateway portal [2] [3]. The statutory government fee is BSD 10.00 per certified copy, and it is advisable to order at least five to eight certified copies for banks, insurance claims, and court filings [3].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Appointing a licensed funeral home: Engage a licensed Bahamian mortician or funeral home early, as mortuary facilities, burial permits, and cemetery scheduling in New Providence and the Family Islands are coordinated through registered funeral providers [1] [2].
   • Burial and cremation permits: No interment or cremation may take place until the medical cause of death has been certified, the Coroner has granted clearance where required, and the civil registration authority has issued the official burial or cremation permit [1] [2].
   • International repatriation and Apostille authentication: If your family member was a foreign national or if their remains or cremated ashes must be repatriated abroad, the funeral home coordinates embalming certificates, a hermetically sealed casket certificate for air transit, and public health clearance [1]. Because The Bahamas is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, certified death certificates issued by the Registrar General's Department can be authenticated with an Apostille through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legal recognition abroad [3].
4. 4

   Notify the National Insurance Board, Banks, and Authorities

   • National Insurance Funeral Benefit: If the deceased was an insured contributor under the social security scheme, the person who paid or is responsible for paying the funeral bill can apply to the National Insurance Board of The Bahamas for the lump-sum Funeral Benefit using Form B.51 [4] [5]. You must submit the certified Death Certificate, itemized funeral receipts or invoices, and valid identification [4] [5].
   • National Insurance Survivors Benefit: Surviving dependents of an insured contributor who paid at least 150 contributions may claim a monthly Survivors Benefit from the National Insurance Board of The Bahamas using Form B.56 [4] [5]. Statutory priority applies to the widow or widower, dependent children under age 16 (or under age 21 if in full-time education), qualifying orphans, and dependent parents [4].
   • Identity, tax, and financial notifications: Surrender the deceased's Bahamian passport and driver's license to the relevant issuing authorities, notify commercial banks and life insurers to freeze sole accounts and process policy payouts, and check whether any real property tax updates are required with the Department of Inland Revenue [3] [4].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate and Obtain a Grant of Representation

   • Supreme Court Probate Division jurisdiction: Estate administration in The Bahamas is governed by the Probate and Administration of Estates Act and overseen by the Probate Registry of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas in Nassau (along with sub-registries in Freeport and the Family Islands) [6].
   • Grant of Probate vs. Letters of Administration: If the deceased left a valid will, the named executor applies to the Supreme Court of The Bahamas for a Grant of Probate [6]. If the deceased died intestate (without a will), the next of kin applies for Letters of Administration under the Inheritance Act [6]. Notice of the intended application must be advertised in the official Gazette and local newspapers before the grant is issued [6].
   • Zero inheritance tax and cross-border resealing: The Bahamas does not levy a general inheritance tax or estate duty on personal estates, though court probate fees and property transfer taxes or stamp duties may apply to real estate conveyances [6]. If the deceased held a foreign grant of probate from another Commonwealth jurisdiction or the United Kingdom or United States, the Supreme Court of The Bahamas can reseal or recognize foreign grants to release Bahamian bank accounts and real property [6].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Death Registration Service Guide — Government of The Bahamas - Registrar General's Department
2. [2]
   Registering a Death in The Bahamas — Registrar General's Department of The Bahamas
3. [3]
   Requesting a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate — Government of The Bahamas
4. [4]
   Benefits Overview - Funeral and Survivors Benefits — National Insurance Board of The Bahamas
5. [5]
   Official Benefit Claim Forms (Form B.51 and Form B.56) — National Insurance Board of The Bahamas
6. [6]
   Probate Division Hearings and Registry Information — Judiciary of The Bahamas - Supreme Court