What's the Difference Between a Burial Permit and a Death Certificate in Malaysia
When someone dies in Malaysia, the first few days are a blur of urgent decisions and unfamiliar paperwork. If you're not sure where to start, our guide on What to Do When Someone Dies in Malaysia covers the full picture. But one of the first things you will need to sort out, before almost anything else, are two specific documents: a burial permit and a death certificate.
Many families don't realise they are different things, issued by different authorities, for different purposes. Here is exactly what each one is, why you need both and how to get them.
At a glance
| Burial Permit | Issued by the hospital, police or local council; required for burial or cremation |
|---|---|
| Death Certificate | Issued by JPN or UTC; required for banking, KWSP, insurance and estate admin |
| Which Comes First | Burial permit first |
| Costs | Both are free (a RM50 late fee applies for the death certificate after 7 days) |
The burial permit
The burial permit — officially called the Daftar Kematian & Permit Mengubur (JPN.LM02) — is the first document you need. It serves two purposes at once: it registers the death with the authorities and it gives legal permission to transport, bury or cremate the body.
Without it, no cemetery, mosque committee or crematorium will accept the body. It comes before everything else — including the death certificate.
The burial permit is free and is issued immediately, before the funeral takes place.
The death certificate
The death certificate — Sijil Kematian (JPN.LM11) — is the official legal document issued by the National Registration Department (JPN) that formally extinguishes the deceased's legal identity.
This is the document that banks, courts, KWSP, SOCSO, insurers and government agencies will ask for. It is what you bring to begin the estate administration process.
The death certificate is also free and is obtained from JPN after the funeral, by presenting the burial permit and other documents at any JPN office.
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Which comes first?
Always the burial permit. In Malaysia's tropical climate, remains must be handled swiftly. The burial permit provides immediate legal clearance to proceed with the funeral without waiting for civil registration to be completed.
The death certificate is typically obtained after the funeral, though families with longer wakes may visit JPN before the funeral takes place. Either way, registration must be done within 7 days of the passing.
How to get the burial permit
Who issues it depends on where and how your loved one passed away.
In a hospital or clinic
The attending doctor certifies the cause of death and the hospital issues the burial permit directly. The family receives the blue (for the funeral home) and grey (for JPN) copies alongside the release of the body.
At home — natural causes
If a doctor attended and confirmed a natural death, they issue the necessary certification. If no doctor was present, call 999. Police officers will visit, assess the situation and issue the burial permit at the police station once they are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances.
Sudden, accidental or suspicious deaths
The body is transferred to a government hospital forensic mortuary for a post-mortem examination. The burial permit is only issued after the autopsy is complete and the police confirm the body is no longer required for evidence. This can take several days.
How to get the death certificate
Once the funeral has taken place, bring the following to any JPN office:
JPN will issue the death certificate on the same day for straightforward cases. Request at least 5 to 10 copies — banks, KWSP, SOCSO, insurers and the courts will each need their own and most will not return it.
Death registration must be done within 7 days of the passing. A late fee of RM50 applies after that.
For the full step-by-step process, see our guide on How to Get a Death Certificate in Malaysia.
Muslim vs non-Muslim funerals
The burial permit form is identical across all communities. What differs is the urgency.
For Muslim families, Islamic rites require burial as soon as possible — ideally on the day of death. Hospitals and police prioritise issuing the burial permit quickly for Muslim families so the mosque committee and cemetery can proceed without delay. Cremation is not permitted under Islamic law.
For non-Muslim families, wakes and memorial services typically last 3 to 7 days. The burial permit must still be obtained immediately — funeral directors need it to legally transport the body from the mortuary to the wake home or funeral parlour, and eventually to the cemetery or crematorium.
Is a burial permit needed for cremation too?
Yes. Despite being called a burial permit, it is legally required for both burial and cremation. Crematorium operators are prohibited from accepting a body without a valid burial permit. For sudden or accidental deaths, written clearance from the police and forensic pathologist is also required before cremation can proceed — because cremation permanently destroys remains that may be needed for future investigation.
If you are in Sabah or Sarawak
The process in East Malaysia differs from Peninsular Malaysia.
Sabah uses Borang N2 as the burial permit and Borang B as the death register. Deaths must be reported within 24 hours. Late fees apply from day two onwards.
Sarawak uses Borang XI as the burial permit and Borang III as the death register. Deaths must also be reported within 24 hours. Any death at home requires a mandatory police report. Deaths in rural villages or longhouses additionally require endorsement from a community leader.
If you are in Sabah or Sarawak, contact your nearest JPN office for the current requirements and forms specific to your state.
A quick comparison
| Burial Permit | Death Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | JPN.LM02 | JPN.LM11 |
| Issued by | Hospital or Police or Local Council | JPN |
| When | Before the funeral | After the funeral |
| Purpose | Legal permission to bury or cremate | Official proof of death for legal and financial matters |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Who needs it | Cemetery, crematorium, mosque committee | Banks, courts, KWSP, SOCSO, insurers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the death certificate on the same day as the burial permit?
Not typically. The burial permit is issued before the funeral and the death certificate is obtained from JPN after. In most cases there will be at least one to several days between the two.
What if I lose the grey copy of the burial permit before going to JPN?
Contact the hospital or police station that issued it. They should be able to assist with a replacement or certified copy.
Do I need the death certificate before I can arrange the funeral?
No. The burial permit is what you need to arrange the funeral. The death certificate comes after.
How many copies of the death certificate should I request?
At least 5 to 10. Each institution — bank, KWSP, SOCSO, insurer, court — will ask for their own copy and most will not return it. Certified true copies can be obtained later through a Commissioner of Oaths if needed.
What if my loved one died overseas?
Register the death first with the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate in that country, then complete the registration with JPN upon returning to Malaysia.
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