What to Do When Someone Dies Abroad? Step-by-Step Guide

Finding Out About the Death Abroad

When someone dies abroad there a few ways you could be notified see below.

Receiving Notification

• Official Notification: The British Embassy, if informed of the death, will arrange for local police to notify you, ensuring sensitivity and proper guidance.
• Informal Notification: If notified by other sources (e.g., friends, employers, or tour operators), contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to verify the information and get assistance with official next steps.

Were They Alone?

Alone: If no family is present, appoint a local representative (e.g., a funeral director) to handle formalities like death registration, paperwork, and liaison with authorities.

Not Alone: A family member or friend may be needed for identification. You may also choose to travel to assist, keeping in mind that not all countries speak English.

Note: If visual identification isn’t possible, fingerprints, dental records, or DNA may be required, with assistance from medical professionals and the local embassy.

Handling Special Situations

Disasters Abroad: Contact the FCDO for help in identifying the deceased and coordinating with local authorities.

Death on a Ship or Plane: You would need to register the death in the country where the vessel is registered. The British embassy can assist with jurisdiction and procedures.

For Immediate Help

Embassy Support: Embassy staff provide ongoing assistance, liaising with local officials, arranging documentation, and supporting families until the burial, cremation, or repatriation is complete.

UK Embassies see here

Irish Embassies see here

Package Holidays: Contact the tour operators they can handle local processes, coordinate with consular staff, and assist families, ensuring smooth arrangements.

International Funeral Director: Rosy International can guide you through the entire process, managing all logistical and legal requirements to bring your loved one home.

Click to Call: +448000584557

See Body Repatriation page

See Ashes Repatriation page

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): They can provide verification of the death, assist with local procedures, and offer guidance on consular services.

See website

Registering a Death Abroad

A death must be registered in the country where it occurred, typically by visiting the local Town Hall (equivalent to a City Council). If you are or unable to complete it yourself, a local funeral director can provide assistance.

Similar to the UK, many countries have strict deadlines for registering a death. It is important to complete the registration promptly after the local coroner, hospital or doctor issue the medical certificate.

Delays in Registering the Death

There maybe delays in the registering the death due to the following.

• Post-mortem examinations conducted abroad.
• If the cause of death is unclear or involves criminal circumstances, such as a suspected murder, delays may arise due to forensic investigations.
• Legal or procedural requirements in the country of death.

Required Documents for Registering a Death

When registering a death abroad, ensure you have the following:

• Full name of the deceased.
• Date of birth.
• Deceased’s passport number.
• Local medical death certificate.
• Details of when and where the passport was issued.
• Information about you or the person registering the death.

This is a general guideline each country will have its own specific documentation requirements

 Death Certificate & Copies

Once the death is registered, you will be issued a death certificate, which is required for the next steps in the process.

It is advisable to request extra copies of the death certificate, as they may be needed for tasks such as closing bank accounts or notifying utility companies.

Options After Death Abroad

Option 1) Body Repatriation

What It Means:

This involves bringing the deceased’s body back to their home country for burial or cremation.

Overview Process:

• Embalming: The body must be embalmed to meet international transport regulations.
• Documentation: Coordination with embassies and consulates is required for obtaining the necessary documents.
• Legal Compliance: Compliance with the laws and health regulations of both the country of death and the destination country is necessary.

This is typically handled by an international funeral director.

Learn about the full body repatriation process here.

Costs:

Body repatriation is often the most expensive option due to embalming, specialised transportation requirements (such as a zinc-lined coffin), administrative fees, and airline costs, which are influenced by the weight of the coffin.

See the cost breakdown for body repatriation here.

Option 2) Ashes Repatriation

What It Means:

This option involves cremating the deceased in the country where they passed away and then transporting their ashes home.

Suspected Foul Play?

If you wish for a coroner in the UK to conduct an inquest, avoid having the body cremated abroad.

Options for Transporting Ashes:

• A) Using a Professional Repatriation Company: Repatriation companies manage all logistical and legal requirements for transporting ashes internationally. This option reduces stress and ensures compliance with regulations.

Learn more about professional services here.

• B) Transporting the Ashes Yourself: You can carry the ashes as hand luggage on a flight, provided they have the appropriate documentation, including a death certificate and a cremation certificate. Country-specific documentation is also required.

Find detailed guidance on self-transporting ashes here.

Costs:

Ashes repatriation is significantly less expensive than body repatriation due to fewer legal and logistical complexities.

See the ashes repatriation costs here.

Option 3) Local Burial or Cremation

What It Means:

The body is either buried or cremated in the country where they passed away, and their remains are not transported home.

Considerations:

• This option may be more practical and cost-effective.
• Local customs, religious practices, and legal requirements in the foreign country must be carefully considered.
• Note: In some countries, cremation is either illegal or facilities are not available (e.g., Saudi Arabia).

Insurance Considerations

Coverage: 

Life insurance, travel insurance, or other types of insurance may cover medical bills, repatriation, and funeral costs.

Extreme activities like mountain climbing or skydiving may not be covered under travel insurance.

How to Find Out if They Had Insurance:

Check with their bank, credit card company, or employer (if they were traveling for work).

If Not Covered:

What happens if they died abroad without insurance? If they died abroad with no insurance, you will be responsible for covering funeral, repatriation, and any outstanding medical costs.

Vital Note: If you do not act promptly when someone dies abroad and fail to appoint someone to manage the process, the local authorities may take action, which could include cremating the body or burial in a mass grave.

Personal Belongings

Personal items should be collected by family members, with assistance from local authorities, or sent back separately. The repatriation company can assist here.

Repatriation Services

Rosy International

What We Do: Rosy International provides compassionate repatriation services, ensuring the seamless transportation of bodies or ashes abroad while handling all legal and logistical needs.

Website (Body): Body Repatriation

Website (Ashes): Ashes Repatriation

Financial Help and Support

Rosy International Financial Help

What They Do: Rosy International Financial provides information on which embassies, consulates, charities, and government bodies can assist with repatriation from any location.

Website: See more here.

Phone: Click to Call: +448000584557

JackTheLad Foundation (UK)

What They Do: JackTheLad Foundation provides advice and financial assistance for repatriation of young people (aged 16 to 30) who have died as a result of an accident overseas.

Website: jackthelad.org.uk

Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland)

What They Do: Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust offers advice and financial assistance for repatriation of those who have died suddenly abroad.

Website: kbrtrust.com.

Repatriation Services Trust (Wales)

What They Do: Repatriation Services Trust provides advice, support, and financial aid for bereaved families from Wales.

Website: repatriationservicestrust.org.

Grief Counseling and Support

Cruse Bereavement Support

What They Do: Cruse provides free and confidential support to individuals dealing with grief. Services include one-to-one counseling, group sessions, and a national helpline.

Website: cruse.org.uk

Samaritans

What They Do: Provides 24/7 emotional support to anyone in distress, including those dealing with grief. Their services are confidential and free.

Website: samaritans.org

Embassy & Foreign Offices

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Address: Consular Division, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH

Website: fco.gov.uk

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7008 1500

UK Embassies

Support: UK Embassies worldwide offer legal, logistical, and emotional support for citizens abroad.

Website: gov.uk

Irish Embassies

Support: Irish Embassies and Consulates Abroad provide similar support, often collaborating with British embassies.

Website: ireland.ie

Government Notification Services

Tell Us Once Service

What It Does: Allows you to report a death to most government organizations in one go, streamlining the process of updating records.

Eligibility: Available if the deceased lived in England, Scotland, or Wales.

Website: gov.uk

Death Notification Service

What It Does: Enables you to notify multiple financial institutions of a person’s death simultaneously, simplifying the process of closing or transferring accounts.

Website: deathnotificationservice.co.uk