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

1. 1

   Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Surat Keterangan Kematian) and Police Clearance

   No civil death registration, burial, cremation, or international air transport can proceed in Indonesia until an authorized physician certifies the death and any required police investigation is completed [1]:

   • Death in an Indonesian hospital or clinical facility: When your family member dies in a public or private hospital (for example, in Jakarta, Denpasar in Bali, Surabaya, Bandung, or Medan) operating under the clinical standards of the Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Ministry of Health, Halo Kemenkes call center 1500-567), the attending physician pronounces the death and issues the official hospital Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Surat Keterangan Kematian Rumah Sakit) [1]. Provide the deceased's Indonesian Identity Card (Kartu Tanda Penduduk Elektronik - e-KTP) and Family Card (Kartu Keluarga - KK), or foreign passport and KITAS/KITAP residence permit, so personal details are recorded accurately [1].
   • Expected death at home: Call the local community health center (Puskesmas) or a licensed physician immediately so a doctor can examine the deceased at the residence and issue the medical Verification of Death (Surat Pemeriksaan Kematian) [1]. You will also obtain an introductory neighborhood declaration from the local neighborhood and hamlet heads (Rukun Tetangga / Rukun Warga - RT/RW) and the urban village or sub-district office (Kelurahan or Desa) [1].
   • Sudden, accidental, or unattended deaths (Polri clearance): If a death occurs unexpectedly outside a hospital, in a hotel or villa, or due to a traffic or water accident, call the national emergency number 112, ambulance service 118 / 119, or the Indonesian National Police (Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia - Polri) at 110 [1]. Police officers must inspect the scene and, where unnatural causes cannot be ruled out, transfer the body to a government forensic hospital for a medico-legal examination (Visum et Repertum) [1]. The police station then issues an official Police Death Report (Surat Keterangan Kepolisian) authorizing release of the body for burial, cremation, or repatriation [1].
2. 2

   Register the Death with Disdukcapil and Obtain the Civil Death Certificate (Akta Kematian)

   Under Indonesia's Population Administration Law (Law No. 24 of 2013), every death in Indonesia must be reported to the local civil registry [1][2]:

   • Statutory deadline and where to file: The family or authorized representative should report the death within 30 days to the local Regency or Municipal Department of Population and Civil Registration (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil - Disdukcapil, or online via the local Disdukcapil portal / Identitas Kependudukan Digital) where the deceased was domiciled or where the death occurred [1][2].
   • Required documents and issuance of the Akta Kematian: Submit the hospital or Puskesmas Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Surat Keterangan Kematian), the Kelurahan/Desa registration form (Form F-2.01), the deceased's original e-KTP and Family Card (Kartu Keluarga - KK) (or passport and KITAS/KITAP for a foreign national), and copies of the e-KTP of the reporting family member and two witnesses [1][2].
   • Updated Family Card (Kartu Keluarga): Disdukcapil issues the official Indonesian Civil Death Certificate (Akta Kematian) free of statutory charge, deactivates the deceased's Single Identity Number (Nomor Induk Kependudukan - NIK), and simultaneously issues an updated Family Card (Kartu Keluarga) and updated marital-status e-KTP (Cerai Mati) for a surviving spouse [2].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation and Apostille Legalization

   Funeral, cremation, or international repatriation arrangements in Indonesia are coordinated through municipal cemetery authorities, religious/customary (Adat) institutions, or licensed mortuary specialists [1][2]:

   • Local burial (Pemakaman) in Indonesia: For burial in a public cemetery (Tempat Pemakaman Umum - TPU) managed by the local municipal Parks and Cemetery Agency (Dinas Pertamanan dan Hutan Kota) or a religious/private cemetery, present the hospital Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, the Kelurahan cover letter, and the family's identification to obtain the municipal Burial Land Use Permit (Izin Penggunaan Tanah Makam - IPTM) [1].
   • Local cremation (Kremasi / Ngaben): Cremation is widely available at licensed public and foundation crematoriums across Indonesia (including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bali) [1]. The crematorium requires the medical death certificate, the Disdukcapil Akta Kematian (or registration receipt), and, for any non-hospital death, a police clearance confirming there is no ongoing criminal investigation before issuing the official Cremation Certificate (Surat Keterangan Kremasi) [1].
   • International repatriation and Kemenkumham Hague Apostille: If the deceased was a foreign citizen or if casketed remains or cremated ashes must be transported abroad, appoint a licensed Indonesian international funeral and air-cargo specialist [1][2]. Casketed air transport requires a hospital Formalin Embalming Certificate (Surat Keterangan Pengawetan Jenazah), a Certificate of Non-Infectious Disease, a hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin certificate, a Police Transport Permit (Surat Izin Angkut Jenazah), an export health clearance from the Airport Health Quarantine Authority (Balai Besar Kekarantinaan Kesehatan - BBKK under the Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia), and consular mortuary clearance from the destination country's embassy [1]. Because Indonesia is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, have the Akta Kematian and supporting civil documents authenticated with an official Apostille online through the Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum (Ditjen AHU, call center 1500-105, under the Ministry of Law / Kemenkumham) so they are legally recognized abroad [2].
4. 4

   Notify BPJS, Pensions, Tax Authorities, and Banks and Claim Survivor Benefits

   Once the Akta Kematian and updated Kartu Keluarga are issued, complete social security, banking, and tax notifications [3][4][5]:

   • BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Workers Social Security) survivor benefits: If your family member was an active formal-sector or informal-sector participant in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (call center 175), the legal heirs (Ahli Waris) can submit a claim at the nearest branch or via the JMO / Lapak Asik portal using the Akta Kematian, participant card, e-KTP, Kartu Keluarga, and Heirship Certificate [3][4]:
     • Death Security (Jaminan Kematian - JKM): Provides a total statutory lump-sum payout of IDR 42,000,000 (consisting of IDR 20,000,000 lump-sum death benefit, IDR 12,000,000 periodic allowance paid in lump sum, and IDR 10,000,000 funeral expense grant / Biaya Pemakaman), plus education scholarships (Beasiswa Pendidikan) up to IDR 174,000,000 for up to two eligible children if the deceased had at least 3 years of contributions (or died from a work accident under Jaminan Kecelakaan Kerja - JKK) [3].
     • Old-Age Security (Jaminan Hari Tua - JHT) and Pension Security (Jaminan Pensiun - JP): Heirs receive the full accumulated JHT balance in a lump sum plus a monthly Survivor Pension (Manfaat Pensiun Janda/Duda atau Anak) under the JP program [4]. Civil servants (ASN/PNS) and military/police personnel claim corresponding survivor benefits through PT Taspen or PT Asabri.
   • BPJS Kesehatan and Indonesian banks: Because Disdukcapil links NIK deactivation with national databases, BPJS Kesehatan health insurance billing ceases upon death reporting [1][3]. Notify the deceased's Indonesian banks; Indonesian banks freeze individual accounts upon learning of the account holder's death and require both the Akta Kematian and an official Certificate of Inheritance (Surat Keterangan Waris / Akta Waris) to release funds to the heirs [2].
   • Tax ID (NPWP) deactivation with the Direktorat Jenderal Pajak: A surviving family member or executor must file a final annual individual income tax return (SPT Tahunan) and submit an application for Taxpayer Identification Number Deactivation (Penghapusan NPWP Wajib Pajak Meninggal Dunia) to the local Tax Office (Kantor Pelayanan Pajak - KPP) of the Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (Kring Pajak 1500-200), attaching the Akta Kematian and a statement that the estate has been divided among the heirs [5].
5. 5

   Obtain a Certificate of Inheritance (Surat Keterangan Waris) and Administer the Estate

   Indonesia applies a pluralistic legal system to inheritance and estate administration depending on the deceased's religion and civil background, alongside central will verification through the Ministry of Law [2][5]:

   • Central Will Registry check (Daftar Pusat Wasiat - Ditjen AHU): Before issuing a Certificate of Inheritance, a Notary (Notaris) searches the online Central Will Registry (Daftar Pusat Wasiat) maintained by the Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum (Ditjen AHU) to verify whether the deceased registered a notarial will (Akta Wasiat) [2].
   • Obtaining the Certificate of Inheritance (Surat Keterangan Waris - SKW / Akta Hak Mewaris):
     • Through a Notary (Notaris): Across Indonesia, a licensed Notary can execute a formal Notarial Certificate of Inheritance (Akta Keterangan Hak Mewaris) after checking the Ditjen AHU Central Will Registry, which is universally accepted by Indonesian banks and the National Land Agency (Badan Pertanahan Nasional - BPN) [2].
     • Through local authorities or courts by legal system: Alternatively, Muslim Indonesian citizens may obtain a Surat Keterangan Ahli Waris witnessed by the Lurah/Kepala Desa and validated by the Sub-district Head (Camat) or request an Inheritance Determination (Penetapan Ahli Waris - PAW) from the Religious Court (Pengadilan Agama) under the Compilation of Islamic Law (Kompilasi Hukum Islam, which caps testamentary wills at one-third of the estate), whereas non-Muslim heirs governed by the Indonesian Civil Code (KUHPerdata) may use a Notarial Certificate or petition the District Court (Pengadilan Negeri) [2].
   • Inheritance tax exemption (Warisan Bukan Objek Pajak) and land title transfer (Balik Nama Sertifikat): Under Indonesia's Income Tax Law administered by the Direktorat Jenderal Pajak, an inheritance (Warisan) is not subject to income tax or a separate national inheritance tax for the heirs, provided the deceased previously reported the assets or the heirs apply for an Income Tax Exemption Certificate on Land/Building Inheritance (Surat Keterangan Bebas / SKB PPh Waris) from the tax office [5]. To transfer real estate titles (Sertifikat Hak Milik / Hak Guna Bangunan) at the local Land Office (Kantor Pertanahan / BPN), submit the Akta Kematian, the Surat Keterangan Waris, the SKB PPh Waris, and proof of payment of local Land and Building Acquisition Duty on Inheritance (BPHTB Waris) [2][5]. Note that under Indonesia's Agrarian Law, if an heir is a foreign citizen (WNA) who inherits Hak Milik (freehold) land in Indonesia without a will, they must transfer or convert that Hak Milik title within one year of the death [2].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Layanan Kesehatan, Sertifikasi Medis Rumah Sakit, dan Kekarantinaan Kesehatan (BBKK) — Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Kemenkes)
2. [2]
   Panduan Layanan Legalisasi Apostille dan Administrasi Hukum Umum (Daftar Pusat Wasiat) — Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum (Kemenkumham - AHU.go.id)
3. [3]
   Memahami Santunan Jaminan Kematian (JKM), Biaya Pemakaman, dan Beasiswa Ahli Waris — BPJS Ketenagakerjaan
4. [4]
   Social Security Programs for Workers - Old-Age Security (JHT) and Pension Security (JP) — BPJS Ketenagakerjaan
5. [5]
   Administrasi Perpajakan, Penghapusan NPWP Meninggal Dunia, dan SKB PPh Waris — Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (Kementerian Keuangan)