What to do after a death

• First hours: confirmation + pathway decision (routine vs Police/Coroner) + mortuary/transport logistics.
• 24–72 hours: funeral arrangements and gathering documents; start the death registration path.
• As soon as possible: register the death with the appropriate NPC/LGA point and obtain the certificate/notification.
• Week 1: notify employer, PFA/insurance/banks as applicable; protect phone/e-mail access.
• Weeks ahead: estate process (probate/letters of administration), asset/debt inventory, formal transfers.

• Hospital/clinic: ask to speak to the ward admin/social welfare. Confirm what document is issued (medical cause/certificate), where the body is held, and what you need for release and registration.
• Home (expected death with known illness): contact the treating doctor/health facility. You need a clear medical confirmation route before registration.
• Home (sudden/unexpected): call 112. Police may attend; do not move items or “tidy up” if anything looks suspicious.
• Accident/violence/suspicion: call 112 and preserve the scene. The body may be handled through Police/Coroner procedures, which can affect release timelines.

Night-time practical protocol

• Pick one coordinator to handle calls and keep notes.
• Secure essentials: keys, ID documents, cash, phones/chargers.
• If transport is needed late: coordinate reliable family/community help first; plan routes/fees in advance.
• Make only the minimum decisions tonight; do the “paper steps” in the morning.

• Routine medical pathway (most hospital deaths): the facility provides the medical documentation; family proceeds to mortuary/funeral arrangements and death registration.
• Police/Coroner pathway (often for sudden/violent/suspicious deaths): Police reporting and official clearance may be required; release timelines can change.
• State variation: Coroner practice differs across states; always ask for the exact local requirement list and which office is responsible.

In Nigeria, death registration is handled through the National Population Commission (NPC) and local registration points (often at LGA level). The output may be described as a death certificate or death notification certificate depending on the channel and locality.

• Ask for a written breakdown: mortuary fees, embalming, transport, coffin/casket, service venue, cemetery costs, and what is included vs extra.
• Clarify timeline: when the body can be released and what paperwork is required first.
• Cultural/religious practice varies widely. Choose what is appropriate and financially safe for your family.
• If the family is abroad, appoint a trusted local coordinator and keep receipts for all payments.

• Lagos: more formalised emergency pathways; LASEMA 767 / Lagos emergency 199; multiple NPC/LGA points.
• Kano/Kaduna and other northern states: family practice and court processes can differ depending on religion and local systems; focus first on official documentation and registration.
• Rural LGAs: registration may be at the LGA headquarters; responses and timelines can be slower.
• Cross-border deaths (different state): registration is typically linked to where the death occurred first; ask how to document/transfer records to the home state afterward.

• Medical documentation (hospital): ₦5,000–₦20,000 (varies by facility)
• NPC death certificate/notification: ₦1,000–₦5,000 (official fees/certification where applicable)
• Mortuary deposit (first days): ₦20,000–₦100,000+ (facility and city vary widely)
• Police report (if required): official charges vary; avoid “cash-only” payments without receipts.

• PenCom (CPS / PFA / RSA): identify the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) and request the death-benefit checklist.
• Employer benefits: notify HR for unpaid salary, gratuity, group life insurance, cooperatives/union benefits, and any company support.
• Insurance: life insurance or credit-life (loan-linked) may exist. Ask for the required documents and deadlines, and insist on a case/reference number.

• Identify banks and products: accounts, cards, loans, mobile apps, USSD access, standing instructions.
• Notify the bank via official contact channels and ask for the “deceased customer/estate” process and a reference number.
• Never share OTPs, PINs, USSD strings, token codes or app passwords — not even with “bank staff” calling you.
• Do not reset phones or change SIMs early — many bank logins rely on the registered line.

• Keep the deceased’s phone and SIM safe (if you have it). Avoid factory resets in week 1.
• Make a list of: email accounts, banking apps, social accounts, subscriptions, and devices.
• If the deceased had a NIN (National Identification Number), keep the NIN slip/card safe; it may be requested for some verification processes.
• For identity verification, you may be asked for combinations of NIN, driver’s licence, international passport, voter’s card, or other accepted IDs — keep what you have safe and photographed.
• Coordinate family updates on WhatsApp, but avoid sharing full IDs and certificates in chat.

• Locate key papers: property documents, vehicle papers, cooperative records, contracts, loan statements, business documents.
• Make a simple inventory: assets, debts, dependents, and ongoing obligations.
• Avoid selling/transferring assets “to solve quickly” without proper authority and advice.
• If there is conflict among relatives, stop major decisions and document everything.