When someone dies overseas, the stress of bereavement can be made worse by having to deal with an unfamiliar system far from home. However, you can get help from the British authorities.
Someone you're travelling with dies abroad
If you're abroad when someone dies, you should contact the nearest British embassy, High Commission or consulate. They'll be able to give you advice on what to do. If you're on a package holiday you should tell your package organiser's representative in the resort as soon as you can. Some of the bigger tour operators have welfare teams who will be able to help you with arrangements.
Find details of British embassies and consuls
A close relative or friend dies abroad while you're in the UK
The British consulate in the country where the person has died should ask the UK police to inform the next-of-kin. If you're notified about the death by someone else, for example a tour operator, you should phone the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)who'll be able to keep you informed and help with arrangements.
Registering the death
You must register the death in the country where the person died. In many countries you can also register the death with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK. There is more information about how to register a death abroad on GOV.UK.
When registering the death in person, you should take information about yourself and the person who has died including:
Funeral arrangements
You can either arrange to have the funeral overseas or for the body to be returned to the UK. This is known as repatriation. If you want the funeral to be held in the UK you will need to use international undertakers who can advise you about the arrangements. Before you can bring the body home, you'll need the following documents:
a certified English translation of the foreign death certificate from the country in which the person died
authorisation to remove the body from the country
a certificate of embalming.
The British consulate or an international undertaker will be able to tell you how to get these documents.
When a body is returned to the UK, the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the district where the funeral is to take place must be told and will need to issue a certificate before burial can take place. If a cremation is to take place the Home Office also needs to give permission. You can get an application for a Home Office cremation order from your local crematorium.
Funeral costs
Repatriation can be expensive so make sure you discuss the costs before confirming your arrangements. You'll need to be sure you can meet the costs or that they're covered by an insurance policy. The FCO will not pay burial, cremation or repatriation expenses. If you are claiming certain benefits and the funeral is taking place in another European country or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway you may be able to apply for a funeral payment from the Social Fund.
You can findmore information about funeral paymentson GOV.UK.
Making a claim on your travel insurance
If the person who died had travel insurance, you may be able to claim the costs of the arrangements from this. You should contact the insurance company as soon as you can. If you are covered, the insurance company will usually employ a local assistance firm who will do things like arrange an international undertaker.
You can findmore information on making a claim on an insurance policy.
Suspicious circ*mstances
If there is evidence that the death happened in suspicious circ*mstances, the British embassy will be able to give you advice about how to raise your concerns with the local authorities. They will also be able to advise you on how to get legal advice.
Next steps
Other useful information
FAQs
If you are the next-of-kin or the personal representative of someone who died abroad, find the U.S. embassy in the country where they died. U.S. embassies and consulates can: Help you communicate with local authorities. Explain how to send funds to cover necessary costs.
What happens when someone dies in a foreign country? ›
When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Department of State is there to help. Hospitals or local police may notify our embassy or consulate of the death of a U.S. citizen. We then attempt to locate and inform the next of kin of the U.S. citizen's death. We can help the next of kin by providing information.
How do I notify Social Security of a foreign death? ›
Notifying the Social Security Administration
To ensure the death is reported promptly, a family member can make a report directly to an SSA representative by calling SSA toll-free, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How do you bury someone abroad? ›
How to repatriate a body abroad
- Notify the relevant authorities about the death. ...
- Inform the coroner that you'd like to repatriate the body overseas. ...
- The coroner will issue 'Out of England' certificate. ...
- Determine whether a post-mortem is needed. ...
- Arrange the relevant documents. ...
- Prepare the body for repatriation.
Does it matter where you live for life insurance? Most US-based life insurance policies offer worldwide coverage, meaning that they pay out regardless of where the policyholder dies. However, there are exceptions, and some policies may have exceptions for those who move abroad, especially to a high-risk region.
Who pays for a funeral if the deceased has no money in USA? ›
Who pays for the funeral if the deceased has no money? If there isn't any money in the deceased's estate, the next-of-kin traditionally pays for funeral expenses. If the next-of-kin aren't able or don't want to pay, there won't be a funeral.
Who gets the $250 Social Security death benefit? ›
A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements. Generally, the lump-sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living in the same household as the worker when they died.
What to do if an American citizen dies in another country? ›
If you are the next-of-kin or the personal representative of someone who died abroad, find the U.S. embassy in the country where they died. U.S. embassies and consulates can: Help you communicate with local authorities. Explain how to send funds to cover necessary costs.
Who gets the $250 from Social Security when someone dies? ›
A surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, unmarried child, or dependent parent may be eligible for monthly survivor benefits based on the deceased worker's earnings. In addition, a one-time lump sum death payment of $255 can be made to a qualifying spouse or child if they meet certain requirements.
What debts are not forgiven at death? ›
Additional examples of unsecured debt include medical debt and most types of credit card debt. If you die with unsecured debt, repayment becomes the responsibility of your estate. Your legal estate refers to all the assets, property and money left behind by you or another deceased person when they die.
After notifying the bank, the account will be frozen, meaning nothing can be taken out or deposited. Amy says you will receive your loved one's death certificate within four to six weeks. She advises showing the certificate to the bank so you can work on accessing the funds.
How long can a deceased person stay on a bank account? ›
Banks generally cannot close a deceased account until after the person's estate has gone through probate or has otherwise settled. Joint accounts that are held together with a surviving owner are not considered deceased accounts. Ownership of these accounts reverts to the surviving owner.
How much does repatriation of a body cost? ›
The cost for a body repatriation can be anywhere between £2,500 and £20,000, however the average cost usually tends to be somewhere around £3,000 to £6,000. The cost for an ashes repatriation is usually lower and can be around £1,000 to £3,000 depending on the level of the service.
Do banks accept foreign death certificates? ›
Apostille. If it is a foreign death certificate the bank may demand that an “apostille” be obtained. This is a certification by some government agency that the death certificate is authentic. Obtaining such an apostille can be challenging.
How do I find out if someone has died abroad? ›
The embassy or consulate can make enquiries
The embassy or consulate will then contact the local authorities, such as the municipality or the police. If you receive information from anyone else about the situation of your partner, relative or friend, let the ministry know immediately.
Can a person be buried in another country? ›
Burial in Country Where Death Occurred
If desired by the family, a consular officer will take all possible care to follow the instructions of the family as to ceremony and burial site. In some countries local regulations will not permit the burial of foreign nationals.
What to do if a US citizen dies in India? ›
The Embassy/Consulate will assist in arranging documentation for remains to be shipped to the United States and will assist with preparations according to the direction of the legal next of kin. All costs are the responsibility of the next of kin.
Can a dead person become a US citizen? ›
Eligibility for Posthumous Citizenship. In general, a person who serves honorably in the U.S. armed forces during designated periods of hostilities and dies as a result of injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by that service may be eligible for posthumous citizenship.
Which country celebrates when someone dies? ›
1. Mexico: Dia de Los Muertos. Dia de Los Muertos — or Day of the Dead — is a ceremony in Mexico that is celebrated on November 1 and 2. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration when families welcome back the souls of their departed loved ones.
