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

1. 1

   Obtain Medical Certification of Cause of Death

   • Hospital or health-facility deaths: When a death occurs in a government hospital (such as Connaught Hospital in Freetown or a regional district hospital) or a licensed private clinic regulated by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the attending physician examines the deceased and issues the official Medical Certificate of Cause of Death [2]. This certificate records the clinical cause, date, and place of passing and is required before the mortuary releases the body or civil registration is completed [1] [2].
   • Deaths at home (expected or natural causes): If your family member passed away at home in Freetown or a provincial district without a physician present, notify the nearest Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) or district medical officer under the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, as well as the local ward or chiefdom authority, so a medical officer or authorised health worker can verify the death and issue the medical notification [1] [2].
   • Sudden, accidental, or unexplained deaths: If the death was unexpected, occurred in an accident, or had no recent medical attendance, report it immediately to the Sierra Leone Police [1] [2]. Police authorities refer unnatural or unexplained deaths to the Coroner under the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and the government forensic pathologist at Connaught Hospital for a post-mortem examination before issuing a coroner's certificate and burial order [2] [4].
2. 2

   Register the Death with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA)

   • Compulsory civil registration: Under the National Civil Registration Act, 2016, the registration of all deaths occurring in Sierra Leone is compulsory and is administered by the National Civil Registration Authority [1]. Families should report the death at the nearest NCRA district office (located in Freetown and across all district headquarters) as soon as the medical or coroner's certificate is issued, and within the statutory registration period to avoid late-registration affidavit requirements [1].
   • Required documents and informant details: A close relative or adult informant who was present at the death or responsible for the funeral arrangements must present the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (or Coroner's order/community notification form for rural deaths), the deceased's National Identification Card or National Identification Number (NIN) record, and the informant's valid photo ID [1].
   • Issuance of official Death Certificate: Once the entry is recorded in the civil register, the National Civil Registration Authority issues the official Death Certificate and updates the national identity database [1]. It is advisable to consider obtaining several certified copies of the NCRA Death Certificate immediately, as banks, pension authorities, and the probate registry each require certified originals [1, 3, 4].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Local burial and municipal cemetery permits: Before burial can take place in Freetown (under the Freetown City Council cemetery administration) or in a district or chiefdom cemetery, the family or licensed funeral home must present the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, the NCRA registration confirmation, and a mortuary release clearance to obtain a municipal Burial Permit [1] [2].
   • International repatriation of remains: If the deceased was a foreign citizen or the family wishes to transport human remains out of Sierra Leone (via Freetown International Airport at Lungi), engage an experienced funeral director to obtain an official embalming certificate, a public health non-infection and coffin-sealing certificate from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, an NCRA Death Certificate, a police/coroner clearance certificate, and a consular mortuary laissez-passer from the destination country's embassy or high commission [1] [2].
   • Document legalisation (Non-Apostille jurisdiction): Because Sierra Leone is not currently a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, Sierra Leonean death certificates and court documents intended for official use abroad must undergo diplomatic authentication through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Freetown followed by consular legalisation at the embassy or high commission of the destination country [1] [4].
4. 4

   Notify NASSIT, Tax, Banking, and Identity Authorities

   • NASSIT survivor benefits and pension claims: If your family member contributed to or received a pension from the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, notify the nearest NASSIT regional office promptly [3]. Under the NASSIT Act, 2001, eligible dependents (surviving spouse and dependent children) may claim a Survivor's Pension (where the member met the minimum contribution threshold, typically 60 months of contributions) or a lump-sum Survivor's Grant [3]. Claimants must submit the NASSIT claim form, the NCRA Death Certificate, the deceased's NASSIT membership card, marriage and birth certificates of dependents, and passport photographs [1] [3].
   • Civil service or employer death gratuities: If the deceased was employed in the public service or formal private sector, notify the employer's human resources department and the Accountant General's Department to claim any terminal salary, accrued leave, or workplace funeral assistance [3].
   • Commercial banks, insurers, and tax clearance: Notify all Sierra Leonean commercial banks, mobile money providers, life insurers, and the National Revenue Authority [1] [4]. Banks will freeze sole accounts upon notification of death and will release funds above minor statutory thresholds only upon presentation of a High Court Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration [4] [6].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate and Obtain Probate or Letters of Administration

   • Governing statutory framework: Estate administration in Sierra Leone is governed by the Administration of Estates Act (Cap. 45), as amended by the Administration of Estates (Amendment) Act, 2006, together with the landmark Devolution of Estates Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007), which unified intestate succession rules across statutory, customary, and religious marriages to protect surviving spouses, children, and dependents [5] [6].
   • Testate estates (Grant of Probate): If your family member left a valid written will, the named executor(s) must apply to the Probate Registry of the High Court under the Judiciary of Sierra Leone (or through the Office of the Administrator and Registrar-General in Freetown) for a Grant of Probate [4, 5, 6].
   • Intestate estates (Letters of Administration): If the deceased died without a will, the surviving spouse, adult children, or statutory next of kin under the Devolution of Estates Act, 2007 apply to the High Court under the Judiciary of Sierra Leone or the Administrator and Registrar-General for Letters of Administration [4, 5, 6]. Notice of the application is published in the Sierra Leone Gazette to allow any caveats before the grant is sealed, and estate fees are assessed under the Administration of Estates (Amendment) Act, 2006 [6].
   • Cross-border heirs and foreign grants: Where an heir or executor resides abroad, they may appoint an attorney-in-fact in Sierra Leone via a notarised and consular-legalised power of attorney; conversely, a Commonwealth or UK grant of probate may be resealed by the High Court of Sierra Leone to administer local assets [4, 5, 6].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) - Vital Events Registration — National Civil Registration Authority (Sierra Leone)
2. [2]
   Ministry of Health and Sanitation - Public Health and Hospital Services — Ministry of Health and Sanitation (Sierra Leone)
3. [3]
   NASSIT Frequently Asked Questions Booklet - Survivors' Benefits and Claims — National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT)
4. [4]
   Judiciary of Sierra Leone - High Court and Probate Registry — Judiciary of Sierra Leone
5. [5]
   The Devolution of Estates Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007) — Sierra Leone Legal Information Portal
6. [6]
   The Administration of Estates (Amendment) Act, 2006 (Act No. 5 of 2006) — Sierra Leone Legal Information Portal