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

1. 1

   Obtain Medical Certification of Death

   • Hospital or health facility deaths: When a death occurs at the General Hospital in St. George's, the Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau, the Princess Royal Hospital in Carriacou, or a clinic supervised by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, the attending medical practitioner certifies the cause of death and issues the official Medical Certificate of Cause of Death required under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act (Cap. 280) [1] [2].
   • Expected deaths at home: If your family member passed away at home after a documented illness under a physician's care, contact the treating doctor or the District Medical Officer immediately to examine the deceased and issue the medical cause-of-death certificate [1] [2].
   • Sudden, unexplained, or unnatural deaths: When a death occurs suddenly, without recent medical attendance, or under accidental or suspicious circumstances, notify the Royal Grenada Police Force immediately [1]. The police report the matter to the District Coroner, who orders an autopsy by a pathologist before issuing the Coroner's warrant for burial and registration [1].
2. 2

   Register the Death and Obtain Official Death Certificates

   • Statutory deadline and informant: Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act (Cap. 280), every death occurring in Grenada must be reported to the District Registrar of the parish where the death occurred within five days of the death [1]. A relative present at the death, a person in attendance during the last illness, or an adult occupier of the house where the death took place serves as the statutory informant [1].
   • Central registration and documents required: Bring the signed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (or Coroner's certificate), the deceased's birth certificate, passport, or voter identification card, and the informant's valid photo identification to the District Registrar or the Registrar General's Department under the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs in St. George's [1] [2].
   • Issuance of Burial Order and certified extracts: Upon registering the death, the District Registrar issues the official certificate of registration (Burial Order) required for interment and provides certified copies of the Death Certificate, which you should order in multiple originals for banking, insurance, and probate filings [1] [2].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Local burial or cremation: Appoint a licensed funeral home in Grenada to handle mortuary preparation and transport [2]. Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, no burial or cremation may proceed without presenting the District Registrar's certificate of registration or the Coroner's order to the person officiating or managing the cemetery or crematorium [1].
   • International repatriation of remains: If your family member's remains are to be repatriated abroad, the funeral director coordinates with the Chief Medical Officer and Environmental Health officers within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs to obtain an official embalming certificate, a freedom-from-infectious-disease certificate, a hermetically sealed casket certificate, and an export permit [2].
   • Apostille and consular legalization: Grenada is a contracting state to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Certified Death Certificates and civil status documents destined for use abroad should be authenticated with an Apostille through the Supreme Court Registry or Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St. George's, and the relevant foreign embassy or consulate should be notified if the deceased was a foreign national [1] [5].
4. 4

   Notify National Insurance, Tax, Banking, and Identity Authorities

   • Funeral Grant and survivor benefits: Notify the National Insurance Scheme under the National Insurance Act (Cap. 205) [3] [4]. The person who paid or is liable to pay funeral costs for an insured contributor, pensioner, or eligible spouse can submit a Funeral Grant claim (Form NI8) to the National Insurance Scheme within three months of the date of death, enclosing the official Death Certificate, itemized funeral home receipts, and identification cards [3] [4]. Surviving spouses and dependent children should also apply for Survivor's Benefits [3] [4].
   • Tax notification and clearance: Report the death to the Inland Revenue Division (Ministry of Finance) in St. George's or via the G-TAX portal to update the deceased's tax account, file any final income tax return, and check property tax balances [6].
   • Financial institutions and identity documents: Provide certified Death Certificates to Grenadian banks, credit unions, and life insurers to freeze sole accounts and process beneficiary claims, and surrender the deceased's passport and national voter ID card to the relevant issuing authorities [1].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate and Complete Probate Proceedings

   • Grant of Probate vs. Letters of Administration: Estate succession in Grenada is administered through the Supreme Court Registry of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in St. George's under the Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates Rules [5]. Where the deceased left a valid Will, the named executor applies for a Grant of Probate; where there is no Will, the entitled next-of-kin applies for Letters of Administration [5].
   • Court filing and inventory requirements: Applications are prepared with a Grenadian attorney-at-law and filed with the Supreme Court Registry, accompanied by the original Will (if applicable), the certified Death Certificate, Executor's or Administrator's Oath, Affidavit of Due Execution, and a sworn declaration and valuation of the estate's real and personal property [5].
   • Tax clearance and cross-border resealing: While Grenada does not impose a general inheritance tax on beneficiaries, estate filings require statutory court fees, stamp duties, and property transfer tax clearance through the Inland Revenue Division before real estate deeds are conveyed [5] [6]. If a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration has already been issued by a court in another Commonwealth or foreign country, an attorney can apply to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Grenada to reseal the foreign grant so local assets can be transferred [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Registration of Births and Deaths Act (Chapter 280) — Parliament of Grenada
2. [2]
   Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs — Government of Grenada
3. [3]
   National Insurance Act (Chapter 205) - Funeral Grant and Survivors' Benefits — Parliament of Grenada
4. [4]
   NIS Grenada Online Portal and Benefit Services — National Insurance Scheme Grenada
5. [5]
   Filing a Probate Case - Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates — Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
6. [6]
   Inland Revenue Division and G-TAX Portal — Ministry of Finance, Government of Grenada