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

1. 1

   Obtain Medical Certification of Death

   • Hospital or clinical deaths: When a death occurs at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital in Roseau, the Reginald Fitzroy Armour Hospital in Portsmouth, or a district health facility supervised by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, the attending physician examines the body and issues the official Medical Certificate of Cause of Death [3].
   • Expected deaths at home: If your family member died at home while under active medical care for a diagnosed condition, contact the treating physician or the nearest district medical officer immediately so that a doctor can confirm the death and issue the medical certificate required for civil registration [1] [3].
   • Sudden, unexplained, or accidental deaths: If the death occurred unexpectedly, without recent medical attendance, or under unnatural circumstances, notify the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force immediately [2] [3]. Police officers refer the case to the District Coroner, who may order a post-mortem examination before releasing the body and issuing the Coroner's certificate authorizing registration and burial [2].
2. 2

   Register the Death and Obtain Official Death Certificates

   • Where and when to register: Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of Dominica, every death must be reported to the District Registrar for the parish or registration district where the death occurred, or centrally at the Registry Division on Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in Roseau [1] [2]. A relative present at the death, an person in attendance during the last illness, or an adult occupier of the premises must register the death within the statutory timeframe prior to interment [1] [2].
   • Required documentation: The informant must present the signed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (or Coroner's order), the deceased's national identification card, birth certificate, or passport, and valid identification for the informant [1] [2].
   • Ordering certified copies: Once the entry is recorded in the civil register, request multiple certified copies of the Death Certificate through the Registry Division or the Government of Dominica e-Services portal (nominally EC$5.00 per certified extract), as banks, pension bodies, and probate courts require original sealed certificates [1] [2].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Local burial or cremation: Engage a licensed funeral home in Dominica to coordinate mortuary care and transport [3]. The District Registrar or Coroner issues a Burial Order once the cause of death is certified, which must be presented to the cemetery authority or municipal council before burial can take place [1] [2].
   • International repatriation of remains: If your family member's remains must be transported abroad, the licensed funeral director coordinates with the Environmental Health Department under the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services to obtain an official embalming certificate, a non-contagious disease certificate, a hermetically sealed casket inspection certificate, and a burial transit or export permit [3].
   • Apostille and consular legalization: Dominica is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. If certified Death Certificates or mortuary documents must be used in another convention country, have them authenticated with an Apostille through the Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs or the Registry Division, and notify the relevant foreign embassy or consulate if the deceased held foreign nationality [1] [2].
4. 4

   Notify Social Security, Tax, Banking, and Identity Authorities

   • Funeral Grant and survivor benefits: Report the death to Dominica Social Security at its Roseau Head Office or Portsmouth sub-office [4]. If the deceased was an insured contributor with at least 26 paid weekly contributions, or the spouse or dependent child of an insured person, the person who paid or is liable to pay the funeral expenses can file a Funeral Grant Claim Form (Form FG 1) within 6 months of the death, attaching the official Death Certificate, the deceased's birth certificate and Social Security card, and itemized funeral receipts [4]. Surviving spouses and eligible dependent children should also apply for Survivor's Benefits [4].
   • Tax and revenue clearance: Notify the Inland Revenue Division in Roseau to update the deceased's taxpayer record, file any final personal income tax return for the year of death, and settle outstanding tax liabilities [6].
   • Financial institutions and identity records: Present certified copies of the Death Certificate to commercial banks, credit unions, and insurance companies in Dominica to freeze individual accounts and verify joint or beneficiary arrangements, and surrender the deceased's Dominican passport and Electoral Office identification card for cancellation [1] [2].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate and Complete Probate Proceedings

   • Testate vs. intestate succession: Estate administration in Dominica is governed by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates) Rules [5]. If your family member left a valid Will, the named executor applies to the High Court of Justice at the Registry Division for a Grant of Probate; if the deceased died without a Will, the closest eligible next-of-kin applies for Letters of Administration [2] [5].
   • Filing and valuation requirements: Applications are typically prepared by an attorney-at-law admitted in Dominica and filed through the High Court registry or the court's electronic litigation portal [2] [5]. The application package includes the original Will (if any), the official Death Certificate, an Oath of Executor or Administrator, an Affidavit of Due Execution, a detailed inventory and valuation of movable and immovable estate assets, and proof of statutory notice publication [5] [6].
   • Cross-border estates and foreign grants: Although Dominica does not levy a separate inheritance tax, statutory court probate fees, stamp duties, and property transfer fees administered with the Inland Revenue Division and the Lands and Surveys registry apply when transferring real estate [2] [6]. If a Grant of Probate was already issued by a court in another Commonwealth or foreign jurisdiction, an attorney can apply to the High Court of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to reseal the foreign grant or obtain an ancillary grant covering Dominican assets [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Application for Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates — Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
2. [2]
   Registry Division - Civil Status and Court Registry Services — Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs
3. [3]
   Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services — Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica
4. [4]
   Benefits Information and Funeral Grant Claims — Dominica Social Security
5. [5]
   Non-Contentious Probate Rules and Administration of Estates — Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
6. [6]
   Tax Forms and Administration — Inland Revenue Division