Death in hospital: the steps and documents you need
When a death occurs in hospital, the on-call doctor certifies it and issues the certificatul constatator — you do not need to call a doctor yourself. The deceased is taken to the hospital mortuary, from where we can collect them once you have received the certificate. We handle the funeral transport, the paperwork at Starea Civilă (the civil registry office), and everything that follows. We answer day and night.
death in hospital — what to do. Illustrative image.
What happens when a death occurs in hospital
In hospital, the death is certified by the on-call doctor or the treating doctor. The hospital itself issues the certificatul medical constatator al decesului (medical death certificate), so you do not need to call a doctor yourself.
The deceased is taken to the hospital mortuary (prosectură), where they can be kept for several days. In certain cases — where death occurs shortly after admission or the cause is unclear — an autopsy is carried out. We will explain what each situation involves.
The steps are straightforward, and the hospital handles part of the paperwork. We take care of the rest.
Receive the certificatul medical constatator al decesului from the hospital.
Call us and arrange the collection from the hospital mortuary.
We collect the deceased with an authorised hearse, at the agreed time.
We obtain the certificatul de deces (death certificate) from Starea Civilă, on behalf of the family.
We organise the preparation, the ceremony, and everything that follows.
What documents you receive from the hospital
You leave the hospital with the documents needed for the next steps. We use them to obtain the remaining paperwork.
The certificatul medical constatator al decesului (medical death certificate).
The deceased person's identity card (if it was kept at admission).
Any relevant medical documents (discharge letter, medical record), where applicable.
What happens to the deceased in hospital
After the death is certified, the person is transferred to the hospital mortuary (prosectură). Hospitals have different rules on how long they keep the deceased — generally several days, enough time to arrange collection. Some hospitals charge a daily storage fee; we will let you know in advance if this applies.
Release is arranged on the basis of the family's or the authorised funeral home's documents. We collect with an authorised hearse at the agreed time, directly from the mortuary.
Illustrative image: the entrance to a hospital mortuary (prosectură) — collection is with an authorised hearse, with documents in order.
Natural illness or accident — when an autopsy is required
If the death followed a known, documented illness, the treating doctor issues the certificatul constatator directly — an autopsy is not required. The family can collect the deceased without further delay.
If the death occurred through an accident, violence, or with an unclear cause (death shortly after admission, without an established diagnosis), the case may be referred to the Institutul de Medicină Legală (IML — Institute of Forensic Medicine). The autopsy is mandatory, and release for burial or cremation only takes place after authorisation from the IML and the public prosecutor. This can take several days.
Illustrative image: the documents needed to release the deceased from hospital — certificatul constatator, identity card, and the funeral home's authority.
Costs and the state funeral grant in 2026
The state funeral grant is 9,192 RON for insured persons and pensioners. Complete funeral packages start from 4,900 lei.
Package
Price
Covered in full by the grant?
Essential
4,900 lei
Yes (for insured persons and pensioners)
Cremation
4,900 lei
Yes (for insured persons and pensioners)
Traditional
7,400 lei
Yes (for insured persons and pensioners)
Premium
10,900 lei
Partially — the family pays the difference of 1,708 lei
Funeral package — price and funeral grant coverage The application for the state funeral grant is submitted to the territorial pension office (CNPP — Casa Națională de Pensii Publice). We help with the required documents.
How this differs from a death at home
The main difference is who certifies the death. In hospital, the on-call doctor certifies it automatically and issues the certificate — you do not need to call a doctor yourself. At home, you must call the family doctor or 112 — the detailed steps are on the death at home page. Everything else — collection, the paperwork from Starea Civilă, preparation and the ceremony — is broadly the same.
Costs and the funeral grant
Collection from the hospital mortuary forms part of the funeral transport service and of any complete package. Some hospitals charge a small daily storage fee at the mortuary — we will tell you in advance if this is the case.
For insured persons and pensioners, the state funeral grant can cover a basic package in full. We explain how to use it from the very first call.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
What families ask about death in hospital: the steps and documents you need
Who issues the death certificate in hospital?
The hospital does. The on-call doctor or the treating doctor certifies the death and issues the certificatul medical constatator. You do not need to call a doctor yourself, as you would for a death at home.
How long can the deceased be kept at the hospital mortuary?
Usually several days — enough time to arrange collection and the ceremony. Some hospitals charge a small daily storage fee. We help arrange collection as quickly as possible.
How do we collect the deceased from hospital?
Once you have the certificatul constatator, call us and we agree a time. We come with an authorised hearse and collect the deceased from the hospital mortuary, with all the necessary documents. We take care of everything.
Is an autopsy required?
Not always. An autopsy is carried out in certain situations — death shortly after admission, an unclear cause, or at the request of the authorities. Otherwise, the deceased can be collected directly after the certificatul constatator is issued.
What if the hospital is in another city?
We can help with transport to Bucharest or Ilfov, where we organise the ceremony. Call us and we will tell you exactly what is involved, depending on the distance.
How long can the deceased remain at the hospital mortuary?
It varies between hospitals — some allow several days, others ask for collection as soon as possible. Our team generally collects on the same day or the next. We will tell you from the first call how long you have and what an extension involves, if needed.
How does this differ from a death at home?
In hospital, the on-call doctor certifies the death automatically and issues the certificate. At home, you must call the family doctor or 112. The remaining steps are broadly the same. Details about the home scenario are on the death at home page.
RELATED SERVICES
Related services we provide
Funeral transport
Collection from the hospital mortuary with an authorised hearse.
