What to Do When Someone Dies in Trinidad and Tobago: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

   • Hospital or institutional deaths: When a death occurs in a Regional Health Authority hospital (such as Port of Spain General Hospital, San Fernando General Hospital, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, or Scarborough General Hospital) or a licensed private nursing home overseen by the Ministry of Health, the attending doctor completes the statutory Medical Certificate of Cause of Death [5].
   • Deaths at home under medical care: If your family member died naturally at home and was attended during their recent illness by a registered medical practitioner, contact that doctor immediately so they can examine the body and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which the family then presents to the local police station and District Registrar [1] [5].
   • Sudden, unexpected, or unattended deaths: If the death was sudden, accidental, unexplained, or the deceased had not been seen recently by an attending doctor, notify the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service immediately before moving the body [1] [5]. The District Medical Officer (DMO) attends the scene to pronounce death and order removal to the Forensic Science Centre in St. James (or hospital mortuary) for a Coroner's post-mortem examination before a Coroner's Warrant for Burial and cause-of-death certificate are issued [1] [5].
2. 2

   Register the Death with the Registrar General's Department

   • Mandatory district registration and deadline: Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act of Trinidad and Tobago, every death must be registered with the District Registrar for the registration district in which the death occurred within five (5) days of the death (or as soon as the Coroner's certificate is issued) [1]. Qualified informants include a relative present at the death or in attendance during the last illness, a relative residing in the same district, a person present at the death, the occupier of the premises, or the person causing the body to be buried [1].
   • Burial order and computerized Death Certificate: Upon registering the death, the District Registrar issues a Certificate of Registration / Burial Order permitting the funeral to proceed, and transmits the register entry to the Registrar General's Department (Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs) [1].
   • Ordering official polymer Death Certificates: Once the entry is uploaded to the central civil registry database, apply to the Registrar General's Department (in Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima, or Scarborough, or via its online appointment system) for official computerized polymer Death Certificates (TT $25.00 per copy) [1]. We advise obtaining multiple certified copies for NIBTT claims, banking closures, and Probate Registry filings [1] [2] [3].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Burial and cremation permits: A licensed funeral home in Trinidad and Tobago uses the District Registrar's Burial Order (or Coroner's Order) to schedule interment at a municipal or denominational cemetery [1]. For cremation (at a crematory or an approved open-pyre cremation site), additional statutory permits are required from the Chief Medical Officer / County Medical Officer of Health under the Ministry of Health and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, confirming that no further forensic examination is needed [5].
   • International repatriation: If your family member's remains are to be repatriated abroad, the funeral director must obtain the official Death Certificate from the Registrar General's Department, an embalming and non-contagious disease certificate, and an export permit from the Port Health / County Medical Officer of Health under the Ministry of Health [1] [5].
   • Apostille and consular legalization: Trinidad and Tobago is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Death certificates and court grants destined for use abroad can be authenticated with an Apostille through the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs / Registrar General's Department [1].
4. 4

   Claim the NIBTT Funeral Grant and Survivor Benefits and Notify Authorities

   • National Insurance Funeral Grant: Notify the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT) promptly [2] [6]. If the deceased was an insured contributor with at least 25 weekly contributions (or was receiving an Employment Injury Benefit), a lump-sum Funeral Grant (TT $7,500) is payable to the person who incurred the funeral expenses [2] [6]. The claim must be submitted on Form NI 8 within three (3) months of the date of death, accompanied by the original Death Certificate, itemized paid funeral receipt, and claimant identification [2].
   • NIBTT Survivor's Benefit and Senior Citizens' Pension: Surviving spouses, dependent children, or dependent parents of an insured person with at least 150 contributions may apply to the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago for a monthly Survivor's Benefit [6]. If the deceased received the public Senior Citizens' Pension, notify the Social Welfare Division to close the pension file [6].
   • Identity, tax, and financial accounts: Report the death to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (to cancel the National ID card), the Immigration Division (to cancel the passport), the Board of Inland Revenue (for final tax returns), and all commercial banks, credit unions, and the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation [1] [3].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate via the Probate Registry of the Supreme Court

   • Grant of Probate vs. Letters of Administration: Under the Wills and Probate Act and the Administration of Estates Act, transferring sole bank accounts, shares, or real property in Trinidad and Tobago requires a formal grant from the Probate Registry of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago (Supreme Court of Judicature) [3] [4]. Where the deceased left a valid Will, the named executor applies for a Grant of Probate; where the deceased died intestate, the surviving spouse or next-of-kin applies for Letters of Administration [3].
   • Small estate threshold: For very small bank balances or statutory nominations (such as credit union shares or NIBTT benefits), institutions may release limited funds under statutory nomination rules, whereas larger estates require a full Supreme Court grant through an Attorney-at-Law or the Court's Non-Contentious Probate self-help unit [3] [4].
   • Search, e-Probate filing, and resealing foreign grants: Before filing, a Depository and Probate Registry search is conducted via the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago e-services portal to confirm whether any Will was lodged or prior application filed [3] [4]. If a Grant of Probate or Administration was already issued in another Commonwealth country, it can be resealed by the High Court in Trinidad and Tobago to administer local assets [3].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Civil Registry - Registration of Births and Deaths — Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs (AGLA)
2. [2]
   Funeral Grant Benefit and Claim Requirements (Form NI 8) — National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT)
3. [3]
   Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates Booklet — Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago
4. [4]
   Judiciary E-Services - Probate Registry Searches and Filings — Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago
5. [5]
   Public Health Services and Regional Health Authorities — Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago
6. [6]
   National Insurance Benefits Frequently Asked Questions — National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT)