What to do after a death

• Step 1 — Confirm the pathway: hospital/clinic vs home expected vs sudden/suspicious. If there’s any suspicion/accident, involve police and follow official guidance.
• Step 2 — Secure medical documentation: identify who issues the cause-of-death document and when you can collect it (and who to contact if details need correction).
• Step 3 — Make a registration plan: find out which Births & Deaths Registry office (or district registration point) handles the registration, whether certificates are printed there, and what to bring.

• 112 vs direct lines: in some areas, calling 191 (Police) or 193 (Ambulance) directly may be faster than a general switchboard — if one route fails, try the other.
• Urban vs rural response times: response can vary widely by district and time of day. If you’re remote, ask a local health facility for the best dispatch route.
• After-hours hospital protocols: teaching hospitals and large facilities may have stricter ward/records workflows after hours (you may be asked to return during official records hours for documentation).
• Private ambulance services: in major cities, some families use private services when time is critical — always confirm the provider and request receipts.

Ghana nuance: teaching hospitals vs private clinics

• Teaching/large public hospitals: documentation may involve multiple desks (ward, records, accounts). Ask who owns the “cause of death paper” and the exact collection window.
• Private clinics: you may face admin fees for documentation and storage. Request invoices/receipts and keep names of staff you spoke to.

Hospital pathway: 4 questions to ask (saves time)

• “Doctor / please, can you confirm the medical cause of death paper is completed (or when it will be)?”
• “Who is my contact person (name + phone) for corrections if a detail is wrong (name, age, ID)?”
• “What is the body release/handover process today and what do we bring (ID, forms, fees)?”
• “Which office should we register with — and does your team give any referral note or reference number for the Registry?”

Home (expected) pathway: the practical blocker

• In some districts, certification/authorisation can involve a doctor linked to a facility, and sometimes district public health structures (e.g., a public health nurse or district health administration) depending on local workflow.
• Ask early: “Which facility/office issues the medical document for a home death in this district, and what are the working hours?”

Police-involved pathway: what changes in practice

• For unnatural deaths (accident, violence, sudden unexplained), police may require a report and medical processes (including possible post-mortem) before release.
• Ask: “Do we need a police medical report or any formal clearance before the body can be released and the death registered?”
• Keep a simple log: date, station/office, officer name, reference number, and the next step + deadline.

Death registration is handled through the Births & Deaths Registry (often via regional/district offices or registration points). Once registered, you can request a death certificate and/or certified copies (and in some places you may hear “attestation” used informally — always ask exactly what document the bank/SSNIT/insurer wants).

• Ask for a written breakdown: what’s included (collection, storage, transport, paperwork support) and what is extra.
• If cost is a concern, ask for the simplest lawful option and what choices affect price most.
• Keep “upgrade decisions” for daytime when you can compare calmly.

Ghana’s reality is that many critical accounts are tied to SIM/OTP and mobile wallets. Your first job is to prevent unauthorised transfers and create a clean record.

• Do not share MoMo PINs or OTP codes with anyone — even if they claim to be “helping” or “from the network.”
• If you suspect fraud: stop transactions, document what happened (screenshots, numbers, timestamps), and use official customer care channels (avoid links sent by WhatsApp).
• Make a list: MoMo numbers, bank accounts, recurring payments, and who had access (phone PIN, SIM PIN, app login).
• Recurring MoMo payments: identify and pause anything that can drain the wallet (school fees, subscriptions, standing payments).
• Notify banks through official channels and request their “deceased customer procedure” plus a reference number.

• Employer: ask HR for final salary, benefits, group life cover, and pension administrator contacts.
• SSNIT (where applicable): ask the exact document checklist, how dependants/beneficiaries are verified, and typical processing steps.
• Insurance: life, funeral, credit life — ask for the claims checklist, deadlines, and whether certified copies are accepted.

• “Fast death certificate” agents asking for deposits to “skip the office.”
• People loitering around major facilities/areas claiming they can “handle the Registry” (especially near big hospitals and busy admin corridors).
• Fake “hospital admin” fees requested by phone without official invoices.
• MoMo reversal scams (they claim an error and ask you to send codes or “return money” urgently).
• “Funeral committee” collection scams via MoMo (pressure to contribute quickly to a number you can’t verify).
• Fake “SSNIT fast-track” agents claiming they can unlock SSNIT or insurance claims faster for a fee.
• “Traditional council processing fees” that are vague, cash-only, and unreceipted — ask for official receipts and clarity.

• Keep the SIM active for a while (OTPs may be needed for banks, MoMo, and email).
• List and preserve: phone, email, MoMo, banking apps, SSNIT/pension portals (if any), social accounts, subscriptions.
• Save key documents offline and share a backup with one trusted family member if needed.
• Dumsor reality: keep a power bank charged and store key photos/scans offline so you’re not blocked by data/power.
• Avoid resetting devices or changing security settings in the first week unless you must stop active fraud.
• If Ghana Card or SIM registration issues arise, don’t rush “re-registrations” or biometric resets without understanding the impact on linked services.

• In many families, a family head, elders, or community leaders may coordinate announcements and rites. That can reduce conflict — but keep admin tasks moving in parallel.
• If any local body requests a “processing fee”, ask for clarity + receipt: what it’s for, who receives it officially, and the written record.
• Avoid committing large funds in the first 24–72 hours. If you must pay something, keep it minimal, receipted, and documented.
• Use a calm boundary: “We will honour the rites, but we also need the documents for the Registry and banks.”

• Accra/Kumasi (urban): more office options and services, but longer queues and more agent activity — rely on official desks and receipts.
• Rural districts: registration points may exist locally, but certificates may be processed/printed elsewhere.
• North vs south (timing/culture): funeral timing and family decision structures can differ; keep documentation moving even if rites are planned later.
• Coastal vs inland logistics: transport, storage, and availability of services can vary — get written quotes and avoid last-minute “rush fees”.
• Cross-district death: if the death occurred away from home, ask where registration must be initiated and where certificates are collected.
• Cross-border death (e.g., neighbouring countries): processes can add steps. Start by asking: “What documents do we need to register the death in Ghana, and what must be translated or authenticated?”