Funeral Service License

The district commissioner in South Iceland is responsible for issuing licenses to those who wish to operate a funeral service. Funeral services involve the sale of goods and services related to funerals and their preparations for commercial purposes.

Funeral services can be operated by individuals, associations, institutions, or other legal entities, including parish councils and cemetery boards. Only those who have received a license from the Ministry of Justice may operate a funeral service.

Application and Supporting Documents

The application for a funeral service license must be in writing and include:

• The name, ID number, and legal residence of the applicant and the manager of the funeral service (if different from the applicant)

• The name of the proposed funeral service

• The main location and service area

• A description of the planned activities

Supporting Documents

• Criminal record certificate

• Resume showing that the applicant has sufficient skills or knowledge to operate a funeral service

• Certificate of financial responsibility

• A signed copy of the code of ethics applicable to funeral institutions in Europe

Conditions for Issuing a License

To obtain or renew a license to operate a funeral service, the applicant must:

• Have an unblemished reputation

• Reside in Iceland, be legally competent, and have control over their financial affairs. The residency requirement does not apply to citizens of countries within the European Economic Area (EEA), provided they reside in an EEA country. Proof of citizenship and residency is required in such cases.

• Associations and companies must be registered in Iceland and must not be subject to composition agreements or bankruptcy proceedings.

• The applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient skills or knowledge to perform the role.

• The applicant must sign the code of ethics.

Cost

A fee of ISK 5,500 is required when issuing a funeral service license. The license must be renewed every five years, and each renewal costs ISK 5,500.

Right to Appeal

The decision of the district commissioner to deny a license can be appealed to the Ministry of Justice, according to Article 21 of Act No. 36/1993.