Digitization of death registration in Flanders: a step towards people-oriented efficiency

When someone dies, there's a lot to deal with: grief, saying goodbye, and unfortunately, a mountain of paperwork. Until recently, death registration in Flanders was largely paper-based, with forms that had to be manually completed and submitted by doctors, funeral directors, and municipal authorities. Those days are behind us. Since 2026, digital death registration in Flanders has been handled entirely through the eLys platform.

What is eLys?

eLys is a digital exchange platform that connects all parties involved in a death—doctors, funeral directors, local authorities, crematories, and government services. It forms the backbone of digital death registration in Flanders , aiming for a faster, simpler, and error-free process that eases the burden on bereaved families during this difficult time.

How does it work?

From the moment a doctor confirms death, the information is entered via a secure web application. This information is automatically sent to the municipality for the preparation of the death certificate. Funeral directors can submit and receive all necessary documents, such as permission for burial or cremation, via the same platform. Thanks to the digital death notification Flanders, the deceased's last will and testament is also immediately available digitally, ensuring the funeral can proceed correctly and respectfully.

Benefits for survivors and professionals

• Faster processing: The death certificate is usually available within one business day.

• Fewer errors: Data is entered only once and shared automatically.

• Better collaboration: All parties involved work through one central platform.

• Privacy and security: eLys meets the strictest data protection standards.

These benefits clearly demonstrate how digital death notification in Flanders modernises the entire process.

A broad collaboration

The digital death notification system in Flanders is the result of intensive collaboration between Flemish cities and municipalities, the funeral sector, medical associations, and government agencies such as the Department of Care and eHealth. The Flemish data partner Athumi is responsible for the development, security, and management of the platform.

What does this mean for the funeral sector?

For funeral directors like Uitvaartzorg Cromboom , the digital death notification Flanders represents a significant administrative relief. Faster access to documents and data allows them to focus even more on their core mission: supporting grieving families with care, attention, and respect.

Vision for the future

Flanders' digital death registration demonstrates how technology can contribute to personalized services. The project aligns seamlessly with the broader framework of the "Town Hall of the Future," in which local governments strive for efficient, accessible, and inclusive digital processes.