Kenya — Help & Guidance
What to do after a death (Kenya)
We apologise this guidance is available only in English — Velanora doesn’t yet have the resources or local language expertise to provide this information accurately across Kenyas many languages.
If this just happened right now, you don’t need to solve everything today. In Kenya, the fastest way to reduce chaos is to “unlock the paperwork” first: (1) confirm whether it’s a natural death or a case that needs police/pathologist involvement, (2) secure the body safely (hospital/mortuary) and ask what documents will be issued, (3) obtain the burial permit, (4) register the death and begin the process for the death certificate, (5) collect multiple copies of the key documents so you can handle banks, insurance, NHIF/NSSF, and succession without repeating trips.
Emergency: If there is immediate danger, suspected violence, a road crash scene, or you need urgent medical help, call Kenya emergency services (commonly 999 / 112 / 911) or go to the nearest police station/hospital.
If unsure: treat it as urgent and seek official guidance before moving the body or disturbing the scene.
If unsure: treat it as urgent and seek official guidance before moving the body or disturbing the scene.
Quick Find — jump straight to what you need
You don’t have to read in order. Solve the bottleneck first.
First hours checklistWhen police/pathologist is involvedBurial permit + sequenceRegister death (Huduma vs eCitizen vs CRS)What delays death certificates?Which documents matter mostFuneral decisions + negotiation scriptBenefits: NSSF/NHIF/employer/SACCOBanks/M-PESA/loans + insuranceHousing/land/tenancySuccession + small estate shortcutScams (incl. fake chief’s letter)Children and funeralsCall scripts you can copy
Best low-stress split: one person handles calls and travel, one person safeguards documents and keeps a simple log (date/time, who you spoke to, reference numbers).
Checklist (tick as you go)
Checkboxes are just for you while reading — they don’t save if you refresh.
📋 Print-ready checklist
One-page summary of key steps — save to phone or print.
First hours (today): what actually matters
Your goal is safety + the correct pathway, not ‘finishing’ everything.
- Confirm the pathway: natural death vs accident/violence/suspicious/unknown cause. If suspicious or in public, involve police and follow instructions before moving the body.
- Secure the body appropriately: hospital mortuary or licensed mortuary. Ask the facility what they need from the family and what document they will issue next.
- Collect identity details: national ID/passport details of the deceased, next-of-kin contacts, and where the death occurred.
- Start a “document pack” folder: ID copies, hospital paperwork, burial permit, and later the death certificate. Photograph everything as a backup.
If emotions are high: pick just 2 wins for today — (1) confirm if police/pathologist is involved, (2) get clear instructions on what document you’ll receive and when.
1) When police/pathologist is involved (and why it changes timelines)
This is the biggest ‘fork in the road’ for documents and speed.
Police/pathologist involvement is common when there’s an accident, suspected violence, suspected self-harm, unknown cause, or when the death happens in a public place or under unclear circumstances.
If police ask for money to “expedite” paperwork: This is not official policy. You can politely decline and ask for a formal receipt if you choose to pay. Better: request to speak to the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS) or contact the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for guidance.
Do not pay ‘fixers’ to speed up police/post-mortem paperwork. If someone asks for cash or wants you to send IDs over WhatsApp “to open a file”, pause and verify via official channels.
Ask this directly (and write the answer down): “Is police/pathologist required for this death? What is the next document the family will receive, and what is the expected timeline to obtain documents for burial permit and registration?”
2) Burial permit (Kenya) — and the sequence that confuses most families
You can bury before you have the death certificate — but you cannot bury without a burial permit.
- Ask who issues it in your case: if the person died in hospital, start with the hospital office; if in the community, start with local administration (Assistant Chief).
- Keep the original safe: many processes and claims may ask for it or a certified copy.
- Get names and references: who issued it, date/time, office stamp, and any reference number.
Important (Kenya sequence):
You can bury before you have the death certificate.
You CANNOT bury before you have the burial permit.
Sequence: Burial permit → Burial → Death registration → Death certificate
You can bury before you have the death certificate.
You CANNOT bury before you have the burial permit.
Sequence: Burial permit → Burial → Death registration → Death certificate
Typical costs (2026): • Burial permit: KES 200–500 • Death certificate: KES 100–300 per copy • Mortuary storage: KES 1,000–3,000/day (varies by county/facility). Always ask for an official receipt.
Cost and requirements vary by county and facility. If a figure sounds inflated, ask for a written breakdown and a receipt.
3) Death registration + death certificate: Huduma vs eCitizen vs CRS (decision flow)
Kenyans get sent in circles. Use this flow to pick where to start.
Where to register (start here):
- Huduma Centre: Best for in-person applications — you can ask questions and confirm missing items immediately.
- eCitizen: Good if you already have an account and can upload documents. Not all cases qualify (and some cases still need in-person follow-up).
- Civil Registration Office (CRS): The head office is in Nairobi; county offices and workflows vary.
Ask this exact question at the counter (or on the phone): “For THIS death, which office processes fastest in THIS county — Huduma, eCitizen, or CRS — and what documents do you require?”
County variations: Processing times and specific requirements can vary significantly between counties. If you're unsure, call the Huduma Centre in the county where the death occurred and ask for current wait times.
Practical rule: if you’re unsure, start at Huduma (fastest clarity). If you’re confident your case qualifies and you can upload clean scans, try eCitizen. If you hit a loop or a long delay, go in person to Huduma/CRS with your receipt.
Death occurred outside Kenya?
If the death happened abroad, you generally need to register the death in the country where it occurred first, then get the foreign death certificate authenticated/legalised for use in Kenya. Start by contacting the Kenyan embassy or consulate in that country, and ask exactly what Kenya-side registration steps apply in your situation (requirements can vary depending on country and document format).
What delays death certificates? (and what to do if you’re stuck)
If you understand the delay causes, you can fix the right thing instead of waiting weeks.
Common delays:
- Incorrect spelling of names (must match ID exactly)
- Missing witness signatures
- Hospital didn’t submit the death notification
- Police/post-mortem report not filed
If it’s been more than 30 days, go back to Huduma/CRS in person with your receipt and ask:
“What is the exact missing item holding this certificate, and who must file it?”
“What is the exact missing item holding this certificate, and who must file it?”
When you follow up, take a notebook and leave with a name + phone/extension + reference number — otherwise you’ll repeat the same conversation next time.
4) The document pack: what to collect (and how many copies)
Most delays happen because families have only one copy, or the wrong version.
Aim to collect:
- Burial permit (original + high-quality scan)
- Death certificate (and multiple certified copies if possible)
- Hospital documentation (post-mortem paperwork if applicable)
- Your proof of authority (ID + relationship/nomination documents, as required)
Missing documents?
- No ID: hospital or chief can issue a verification letter; witness statements may substitute temporarily (requirements vary).
- No burial permit yet: you cannot bury without it. Ask the issuing office for an estimated readiness date and who to follow up with.
- No death certificate: you can hold the funeral. Register the death first, then apply/follow up for the certificate after burial.
Practical rule: keep one “master original” envelope and use certified copies/photocopies for day-to-day errands. Always photograph documents the moment you receive them.
5) Funeral planning in Kenya: make 3 decisions first
Kenya funerals often move fast (family travel, rural burial, church timing).
- Where: city funeral home vs transporting to a home county for burial.
- When: expected burial date and how this affects mortuary storage and transport.
- Budget: agree a ceiling early and insist on itemised costs.
When a funeral home says “Pay deposit now or lose the slot”:
Say: “Thank you. We need to review the itemised quote with the full family. Please send the written quote via SMS/email. We will confirm within 24 hours.”
If they refuse: this is a red flag.
Say: “Thank you. We need to review the itemised quote with the full family. Please send the written quote via SMS/email. We will confirm within 24 hours.”
If they refuse: this is a red flag.
Always request an itemised quote (mortuary fees, coffin, hearse/transport, venue, food/tents, grave preparation). Itemisation reduces “surprise add-ons”.
6) Benefits & payouts: NSSF, NHIF, employer schemes, SACCOs, insurance
Week 1 goal: get each institution’s checklist + a reference number.
- Employer: ask HR about death-in-service benefits, group life cover, pension scheme rules, unpaid salary, and final dues.
- NHIF / medical cover: ask what happens to dependants and whether any last-expense support applies under the relevant scheme (varies by cover).
- NSSF survivor benefits:
- Claim form available at NSSF offices or via employer
- Required: Death certificate, claimant ID, proof of relationship/nomination
- Processing: 14–30 days typically (varies)
- Ask for: claim reference number and expected payment date
- SACCOs:
- Many have automatic burial cover (often around KES 50,000–200,000)
- Some require the member to have been active for 6+ months
- Ask: “Did the deceased have SACCO insurance or a benevolent fund? What is the claim process?”
- Life insurance: notify the insurer early and ask for the official bereavement claim checklist and a claim reference number.
Phrase to use everywhere: “Please give me the official bereavement claim checklist, where to submit, expected timeline, and a reference number.”
7) Banks, M-PESA, loans & automatic payments
Don’t rush to ‘close everything’. First: control risk + stop unnecessary outflows.
- Make a list: bank accounts, mobile money, loans, credit facilities, standing orders, direct debits (rent, school fees, utilities, subscriptions).
- Ask about timing: once a bank is formally notified, accounts may be restricted. This can cause payments to fail. Ask what alternatives exist.
- Loans (ask this): “Does this loan have payment protection insurance that covers death?” If yes: insurance may pay the balance and the family does not repay. If no: the debt is typically owed by the estate, not you personally.
M-PESA / mobile money
- Do NOT share the deceased’s SIM card or PIN with anyone.
- To access funds: in most cases, you should expect a formal bereavement process and original documents (often including death certificate, burial permit, and legal authority such as letters of administration). Visit a Safaricom shop with original documents and ask for the official “deceased customer” process.
- Small balances: ask Safaricom what their bereavement process is for low-value balances and what documents are required.
M-PESA small balance shortcut: For low-value balances (for example, under KES 50,000), some Safaricom shops may be willing to explain a simplified pathway (depending on the case and documents). Ask directly: “Is there a simplified process for low-value balances?” If so, ask exactly which documents they accept (commonly requested items may include a death certificate, claimant ID, and a chief’s letter).
Never share PINs/OTPs or hand over a SIM card to a “helper”. If you must visit a bank or Safaricom shop, go to an official branch and insist on a receipt/reference.
8) Housing, tenancy, land and property: protect the ‘real world’ first
Security and continuity matter more than paperwork in week 1.
- Secure the home: limit access, safeguard documents, title deeds, logbooks, IDs, insurance policies.
- Tenancy: find the lease, confirm rent due dates, and communicate with landlord/agent in writing.
- Land & assets: photograph key items and keep a list of where originals are stored (deeds, logbooks, share certificates).
Keep receipts for essential costs (mortuary, transport, security, urgent bills). They can matter for reimbursements and family accounting later.
9) Succession (Kenya): the practical path + small estate shortcut
You don’t need to solve inheritance in week 1 — but you should avoid costly mistakes.
Small estates (shortcut some institutions allow):
If total assets are under KES 500,000 and there is no immovable property (land), some banks and institutions may release funds with:
• Death certificate
• Chief’s letter confirming family
• ID of claimant
• Indemnity form
Ask each institution: “Do you have a ‘small estate’ process?”
• Death certificate
• Chief’s letter confirming family
• ID of claimant
• Indemnity form
Ask each institution: “Do you have a ‘small estate’ process?”
Land succession path (start at the chief’s office):
1. Chief’s letter (home location)
2. Family meeting, documented
3. Apply for letters of administration at court
4. Register transmission at the lands office
Do not sell land before letters of administration are granted.
2. Family meeting, documented
3. Apply for letters of administration at court
4. Register transmission at the lands office
Do not sell land before letters of administration are granted.
Burial on family land: If the deceased is buried on family land, this does not automatically transfer ownership. Succession still needs to be completed through the courts. Do not assume burial = inheritance.
If there is conflict, multiple households, or significant property, speak to a qualified Kenyan advocate early before signing or transferring anything.
Scams to avoid (Kenya): common patterns after a death
Grief + urgency is exactly what scammers exploit.
- ‘We can speed up the certificate’ — asks for cash or insists on WhatsApp-only communication.
- Fake HR / fake insurer — promises payout but asks for OTP, PIN, or “processing fee”.
- Mobile money fraud — “confirm the claim” link, SIM-swap threats, or pressure to share a verification code.
- Fake chief’s letter: unscrupulous persons forge chief’s letters to claim property or benefits.
- Genuine chief’s letter has an official stamp, date, and chief’s contact
- Verify with the chief’s office directly before releasing assets
- If you inherit land, verify any chief’s letters already being used by others
One sentence that protects you: “Please give me your full name, office, and reference number — I will call back using the official number I find myself.”
Children and funerals
Kenyan funerals are family events. Children attend — and it can be confusing or frightening.
- Let them choose whether to attend the viewing or burial.
- Assign one calm adult to be their person — not actively grieving — who can step away with them anytime.
- Explain what they’ll see and hear before it happens (simple, no graphic detail).
- It’s okay if they play or laugh. This is not disrespect.
- Answer questions honestly and simply, and repeat as needed.
Grief is not a problem to solve. It is a weight to carry — and over time, you grow stronger, even if the weight never disappears.
Call scripts (copy/paste)
Ask for the 4 things: checklist, where to submit, timeline, reference number.
Huduma / Civil Registration (registration + death certificate)
Hello. I need to register a death and apply for the death certificate for [Full name], who died on [date] at [place]. I have [ID/passport details] and [burial permit / hospital documents]. Please tell me the exact documents required, where to submit, the expected processing time, and a reference/receipt number for the application. Also: for THIS death, which office processes fastest in THIS county — Huduma, eCitizen, or CRS?
Funeral home (pressure deposit script)
Thank you. We need to review the itemised quote with the full family. Please send the written quote via SMS/email. We will confirm within 24 hours.
If they refuse to provide a written itemised quote, treat it as a red flag and consider alternatives.
Hospital / mortuary (documents + next steps)
Hello. Our family member [Full name] has died. Please confirm whether police/pathologist involvement is required, what document the hospital will issue for registration/burial, and when it will be ready. Who is our contact person and what is their phone/extension?
Employer / HR
Hello. I’m notifying you of the death of [Full name]. Please share the bereavement/benefits checklist (salary dues, pension, group life, medical cover, any support), where to submit, expected timeline, and a reference number for this case.
NSSF
Hello. I need to start a survivor benefits enquiry for a deceased member. Please provide the claim checklist, where to submit, expected processing time, and a claim reference number. What is the expected payment date once approved?
Bank / SACCO
Hello. I need the official process for a deceased member/customer. Please confirm the required documents, who has authority to act, what happens to standing orders/direct debits, and how we can avoid payment failures for essential bills. Also, does the deceased have any burial cover/benevolent fund and what is the claim process? Please give me a reference number for this enquiry.
Loans (insurance question)
Hello. Please confirm whether this loan has payment protection insurance that covers death. If yes, what is the insurance claim process and what documents do you require? Please provide a reference number.
Insurer
Hello. I need to notify you of a policyholder’s death and start a claim enquiry. Please provide the official claim checklist, where to submit, expected timeline, and a claim reference number. I will not share any OTP/PIN.
End every call with: “What is the next step, and by when should I do it?” Then write it down.
Next steps
When you have more energy
If you feel guilty — for things unsaid, unresolved, or because you feel relief — this is extremely common. Grief counseling helps.
Velanora provides general practical information only — it is not legal advice. If the death is disputed, there’s significant property, multiple households, or conflict, speak to a qualified Kenyan advocate.
In Kenya, funerals can move fast — but you don’t have to carry it alone. It’s okay to ask someone directly: “Can you handle the mortuary calls?” “Can you keep the document folder?” Sharing the load is also love.