FAQ
🏠 At home
If the death occurs at the deceased's usual residence, at a family member’s home, or under the care of someone responsible, you should contact us immediately.
Then, it will be necessary to contact the family doctor or attending physician. If that is not possible, the local Health Delegate must be called to issue the Death Certificate.
🏥 In a care home, institution, or hospital
If the death occurs in a care home, institution, or hospital, the entity itself will notify the family.
The Death Certificate will be issued by the physician who was attending to the deceased.
Once informed, you should contact us to begin the funeral process.
⚠️ In case of accident, crime, or suicide
If death results from an accident, suicide, or criminal situation, you must immediately contact the local authorities where the death occurred.
The authorities will alert the health authority and the Public Prosecutor.
⚠️ Do not touch or move the body until authorized by the authorities.
In these cases, an autopsy is legally required.
After contacting the authorities, you should get in touch with us. We will be informed of the date and time of the autopsy and will support you throughout the entire process.
The cost of a funeral can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of service chosen, location, transport, casket, flowers, religious ceremony, among others.
However, as a reference, the average cost of a traditional funeral usually ranges between €1,500 and €3,000.
What can influence the cost?
Type of casket and accessories
Wake (in church, chapel, or at home)
Religious service
Flowers, memorial items, and announcements
Transfers (national or international)
Burial, cremation, or mausoleum
Municipal fees and documentation
Transparency and support
At our agency, we value clarity and personalization. We provide all the necessary support and offer a detailed, no-obligation quote tailored to the family's choices and needs.
➡️ Contact us to learn more or to schedule an informational meeting.
Yes, cremation is a legal and increasingly popular alternative to traditional burial in Portugal. However, there are certain situations where cremation may not be possible or may require special authorization.
✔️ When cremation is possible:
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When the deceased expressed that wish during their lifetime, either in writing or through the family.
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When the closest relatives (legal heirs) agree with this option.
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When there are no legal or religious objections, such as family or community traditions.
⚠️ Situations where cremation may not be permitted:
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In cases of violent, suspicious, or criminal death: cremation is only allowed after an autopsy and clearance from the Public Prosecutor.
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When there is no consent from direct relatives (or if there is disagreement between them).
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If the religion of the deceased explicitly prohibits cremation (some religious beliefs do not allow it or impose restrictions).
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When the Civil Registry Office refuses to issue the cremation permit due to legal or administrative reasons.
🕊️ How we can help:
At Agência Guerra, we take care of the entire cremation process, from collecting the necessary documents to scheduling with the crematorium.
We are available to answer all your questions and support your family with respect and discretion.
Organizing a funeral requires the submission of certain mandatory documents, both for the deceased and for the person responsible for the arrangements.
At Agência Guerra, we help with the entire bureaucratic process, but here are the main documents usually required:
🧾 Documents of the deceased
- Citizen Card (or, in the case of foreigners: passport or valid identification document)
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Beneficiary Card (for pension or subsidy requests from Social Security, Caixa Geral de Aposentações, etc.)
👨👩👦 Documentos do declarante / familiar
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Citizen Card (or, in the case of foreigners: passport or valid identification document)
Citizen Card (or, in the case of foreigners: passport or valid identification document)
📑 Outros documentos que podem ser necessários
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Authorization for burial or cremation
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If applicable, express authorization from the Civil Registry and from family members is required.
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Other documents that may be requested by the authorities
🏛️ What we handle at the funeral home
At Agência Guerra, we take care of:
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Registration of the death at the Civil Registry
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Request for transport and cremation permits
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Assistance in obtaining certificates and official declarations
We also guide the family regarding:
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Available social support (Social Security, ADSE, etc.)
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Application for funeral subsidies, when eligible
In Portugal, the Labour Code defines different periods of bereavement leave based on the degree of kinship. This leave is paid and cannot be deducted from vacation days.
- 👶 Children or stepchildren: 20 consecutive days(Includes biological, adopted, or stepchildren, regardless of age)
- 💍 Spouse or civil partner: 5 consecutive days
- 👴 Parents, stepparents, in-laws: 5 consecutive days
- 👧 Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, great-grandparents, great-grandchildren, uncles, nieces/nephews: 2 consecutive days
ℹ️ Important notes:
- The count begins on the date of death or as soon as the employer is notified.
- The leave is paid and does not reduce vacation days.
- In civil partnerships, a formal document may be required as proof.
📄 Need a certificate? At Agência Guerra, we can provide formal declarations for your employer, confirming the funeral and your relationship to the deceased.
Legal basis: Article 251 of the Labour Code (amended by Law no. 13/2023, April 3)
The organization of a funeral can usually be completed within a short period — typically between 24 to 48 hours after the death, depending on the issuance of the Death Certificate and the availability of the cemetery or crematorium.
At Agência Guerra, we handle the entire process with efficiency and respect, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly and according to the family's wishes.
In cases involving legal issues, autopsies, or international funerals, the timeframe may be longer. In such situations, we will keep the family fully informed at all times.
If the deceased left assets, the heirs must report the free transmission to the Tax Authority (Finanças) by the end of the third month following the date of death.
This is the only procedure that cannot be handled directly by the funeral agency.
It must be carried out by the heirs or by a legal representative.
📑 Required documents:
- Death certificate
- Taxpayer number of the deceased
- Copies of the identification documents of the heirs
- Copies of the taxpayer numbers of the heirs
🏠 What must be reported:
After this initial communication, the heirs must submit a list of the assets left by the deceased, such as:
- Real estate (houses, land)
- Vehicles
- Bank accounts
- Firearms
- Other valuable assets
The declaration can be made using the Stamp Tax Model 1 form, or verbally at the local Tax Office, where it will be recorded by a tax officer.
🧾Attention to IRS: If the deceased filed an IRS tax return, the surviving spouse must, in the following year, include the income earned up to the date of death and check the field referring to the death of one of the holders.
You can reach us at any time via phone, WhatsApp, email, or in person.
We are always ready to support you with discretion and sensitivity, in what we know is a difficult moment.