DOCUMENTATION OF A DEATH

In an increasingly digitalised world, the personal IDs and documents of a deceased person face the risk of fraud. We tell you the documents you need to keep an eye on and when to cancel or surrender them

- Versha Jain

The loss of a family member is a heavy burden to bear, more so when it happens unexpectedly. While dealing with paperwork may be the last thing on your mind when you are already under emotional stress, it is a necessity these days to avoid risks of identity theft and cyber fraud.

When Bhopal-based Sunil Chawla's father passed away suddenly in 2013, he was mentally unprepared; however, he had the presence of mind to complete the basic paperwork. After receiving the last rites receipt from the crematorium, he presented it to the local authority and obtained his father’s death certificate, which he knew was required for settling insurance claims and closing his accounts. Sunil, who is in his late 50s, also ensured that his chartered accountant cancelled the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of his father after filing the income tax returns (ITR).

In India, when someone dies, the death must be registered with the concerned state or Union Territory in accordance with the rules under the Registrar of Births & Deaths Act, 1969. The registration can be done for free within 21 days of the death.

If the death occurs at home, a family member must report it to the local registrar within 21 days to obtain the death certificate. In case of a delay, the process becomes longer, as permission from the area magistrate or registrar is required, along with a payment of late fee. Generally, deaths are reported within this time frame, and family members receive the death certificate.

If a person dies in a hospital, the doctor in-charge registers the death. If the death occurs in jail, the jail in-charge is responsible for registering it. For someone found dead in a deserted area, it must be registered by the local police station or the village head of that place.