What to Do When Someone Dies Abroad
What do I do when someone dies abroad?
Contact British embassy/consulate immediately (24/7). Check travel insurance—often covers repatriation (£3,000-£7,000+). Local authorities investigate and certify death. Options: repatriation to UK (1-3 weeks), burial abroad (cheaper), or cremation abroad then return ashes. Obtain local death certificate, then register death in UK. Embassy guides but cannot pay costs.
- Contact embassy: British embassy/consulate 24/7 for immediate guidance and support
- Local investigation: Police/coroner investigate, certify death—timescales vary by country
- Repatriation costs: £3,000-£7,000+ (check travel insurance—often covered)
- Timeline: Repatriation typically 1-3 weeks, burial/cremation abroad faster
- Documentation: Local death certificate (translated if needed), then UK registration
- Embassy role: Guidance only—cannot pay costs, expedite processes, or bypass local laws
Have more questions on UK death administration? Let Farra help.
- Contact the British embassy or consulate immediately
- Local authorities will investigate and certify the death
- Travel insurance may cover repatriation costs
- You'll need both local and UK death certificates
- Repatriation typically takes 1-3 weeks
- Consider all options: repatriation, burial, or cremation abroad
Contents
Immediate steps to take
When someone dies abroad, time-sensitive actions are crucial:
- Contact local emergency services if the death was sudden or unexpected
- Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate as soon as possible
- Contact your travel insurance company immediately to understand coverage
- Don't sign any documents you don't understand - ask for translations
- Keep all receipts for expenses related to the death
- Notify family in the UK and consider appointing a UK contact person
Emergency Contacts
- Foreign Office: +44 20 7008 5000 (24/7)
- British Embassy: Find local number online
- Local Emergency Services: 112 (works in EU) or local number
UK consular support
British consular services will provide essential support:
What they will do:
- Confirm the person's identity and British citizenship
- Liaise with local authorities on your behalf
- Provide lists of local funeral directors and translators
- Help you understand local procedures and requirements
- Assist with repatriation arrangements
- Provide emergency travel documents if needed
- Offer emotional support and guidance
What they cannot do:
- Pay for funeral costs, repatriation, or other expenses
- Investigate the death (this is done by local authorities)
- Get you a post-mortem if not required by local law
- Transport the body - this must be done commercially
- Speed up local procedures beyond normal processes
Local procedures and paperwork
Each country has different procedures, but typically you'll need:
Essential documents:
- Local death certificate - issued by local authorities
- Cause of death certificate - from attending doctor
- Embalming certificate - required for repatriation
- No contagious disease certificate - health authority document
- Coffin/container certificate - from funeral director
- Permission to export - from local authorities
Potential investigations:
- Police investigation - for sudden or unexplained deaths
- Post-mortem examination - may be mandatory
- Toxicology tests - can add weeks to the process
- Coroner's inquest - in some jurisdictions
Repatriation options
You have several choices for what happens to your loved one:
1. Repatriation to UK
- Body returned to UK for funeral
- Most expensive option (£3,000-£15,000+)
- Requires embalming and special coffin
- Takes 1-3 weeks typically
2. Burial abroad
- Burial in the country where death occurred
- Generally less expensive
- Permanent grave that family can visit
- May align with person's wishes
3. Cremation abroad with ashes returned
- Cremation overseas, ashes brought to UK
- Much less expensive than full repatriation
- Ashes easier to transport
- Memorial service possible in UK
Costs and insurance
Death abroad can be extremely expensive. Typical costs include:
Repatriation costs:
- Europe: £3,000-£7,000
- USA/Canada: £5,000-£10,000
- Asia/Australia: £7,000-£15,000+
- Additional costs: Local funeral director, embalming, documentation
Insurance coverage:
- Travel insurance: Check if you have repatriation cover
- EHIC/GHIC: Covers some costs in EU countries
- Bank account insurance: Some accounts include travel cover
- Employer insurance: May cover business travel deaths
If you cannot afford repatriation costs, contact the Foreign Office. They may be able to arrange a loan or put you in touch with charities that can help.
Registering the death in the UK
You must also register the death in the UK:
- Contact the General Register Office in your home country
- Provide the local death certificate (translated if necessary)
- Pay the registration fee (around £105)
- Receive a UK death certificate for official purposes
Documents needed:
- Original foreign death certificate
- Certified English translation (if not in English)
- Deceased's passport or birth certificate
- Your identification and relationship proof
Expected timelines
Timelines vary greatly depending on the country and circumstances:
Typical timelines:
- Simple repatriation: 1-2 weeks
- With investigation: 2-6 weeks
- Complex cases: 2-3+ months
- During holidays: Add extra time
Death Abroad Checklist
Immediate Actions (First 24-48 Hours)
- Contact British embassy/consulate immediately
- Contact travel insurance company
- Notify family and friends in UK
- Secure passport and important documents
Documentation and Planning
- Obtain local death certificate and required documents
- Decide on repatriation, burial abroad, or cremation
- Arrange repatriation transport if returning to UK
- Register death with UK General Register Office
Support and Patience
Dealing with a death abroad is one of the most challenging situations you can face. The process takes time, costs money, and involves complex procedures. Be patient with yourself and the process. The British consular staff are experienced and will support you through each step.
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