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The legal framework for death registration in Zimbabwe is stipulated in the Births and Deaths Registration Act [Chapter 5:02], and the Burial and Cremation Act [Chapter 5:03].
Here we publish the process that is followed when a person dies outside a medical facility.
1. Relatives inform the Village Head and obtain a letter confirming the death.
2. Relatives report death to the police.
3. Police visit to assess the nature of death i.e. whether it was due to suicide, suspected murder, poisoning, natural causes etc. and take the body where necessary for autopsy/post mortem and further investigations.
4. Where the death is due to natural causes, a police clearance report is given to the relatives.
5. Body is buried.
6. Relatives register the death at the nearest registration office.
Relatives produce the deceased’s national identity document and produce the letter of confirmation from the Village Head and the clearance letter from the police.
The informant’s details are recorded.
7. The documents produced are attached to the registration form.
The death is captured in the Zimbabwe Population Registration System.
8. The death certificate is printed and handed to the informant i.e. deceased’s relative who signs to acknowledge receiving the certificate.
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