DVV
DVV's Role After Death
When a person dies in Finland, the attending doctor prepares the death certificate and submits it to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. DVV registers the death in the population information system and issues the burial permit, which is a prerequisite for burial or cremation. Without a burial permit, the funeral home cannot begin funeral arrangements. The process is nowadays largely electronic, and the burial permit is usually issued within 1–3 business days.
Death Registration
DVV records the date of death, place of death, and the person's basic information in the population information system. Registration triggers automatic notifications to other authorities. The deceased's personal identity code is closed, and the death information is updated in shared governmental databases. The population information system data forms the basis for the estate inventory, where the estate shareholders are identified using genealogical records.
Notifications to Other Authorities
DVV's death registration is automatically transmitted to key authorities. The Tax Administration receives the information for inheritance tax purposes. Kela discontinues benefits and processes any surviving spouse's pension. Pension institutions stop pension payments. Banks receive the information and close the deceased's online banking credentials. This automatic information sharing significantly reduces the family's administrative burden, although some notifications — such as those to insurance companies and the employer — still remain the family's responsibility.
Electronic Services
DVV offers several electronic services related to post-death matters. Genealogical records and parish certificates can be ordered through the online service. These documents are needed for the estate inventory. DVV's electronic identification enables transactions without visiting an office. For the estate inventory, shareholders need the deceased's genealogical record from DVV, which identifies all heirs.
Timeline
Death registration takes place usually within 1–3 business days of receiving the death certificate. The burial permit is issued simultaneously or shortly thereafter. Ordering and receiving genealogical records typically takes 1–4 weeks. It is important for the family to begin ordering genealogical records as soon as possible so that the estate inventory's three-month deadline is not unnecessarily exceeded.
Frequently asked questions
What is DVV's role after death?
DVV registers the death in the population information system based on the doctor's death certificate. DVV issues the burial permit required before burial or cremation. DVV also automatically transmits the death information to other authorities, such as the Tax Administration, Kela, and pension institutions.
How quickly does DVV register a death?
Death is registered in the population information system usually within 1–3 business days of the doctor issuing the death certificate. The burial permit is generally issued electronically at the same time. In urgent cases, the process can be expedited.
Is a burial permit the same as a death certificate?
No. The death certificate is issued by the attending doctor and is a medical document about the cause of death. The burial permit is an administrative authorization issued by DVV that allows burial or cremation. Receiving a burial permit requires that the death certificate has been submitted to DVV.
Which authorities does DVV notify of the death?
DVV automatically transmits death information to the Tax Administration, Kela, pension institutions, magistrates, and banks. This reduces the administrative burden on the family, as many notifications are handled through inter-agency cooperation. However, some notifications, such as to insurance companies, remain the responsibility of the family.
Related terms
An official document issued by a doctor that confirms the death and its cause.
A permit issued by a doctor that is required before burial or cremation. Based on the cause-of-death investigation.
A statutory procedure to determine the assets and liabilities of the deceased's estate. Must be held within 3 months of death.
Read also
How to obtain a burial permit in Finland: who issues it, what documents are needed, and how long the process takes. A clear guide for next of kin.
Funeral timeline from death to burial: deadlines, applying for a burial permit, blessing ceremony, and practical arrangements. A clear timeline description.
A practical guide to the first hours after a loved one's death. Who to contact, what documents you need, and how to take care of yourself.