What to do if someone dies abroad

Summary

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. 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. 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: * where and when the passport was issued * details of the next-of-kin - if you're not their closest relative You can.

Key information

• •where and when the passport was issued
• •details of the next-of-kin - if you're not their closest relative
• •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.
• •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.
• •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.
• •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:
• •* details of the next-of-kin - if you're not their closest relative
• •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

Practical guidance

• •Source: [What to do if someone dies abroad](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/what-to-do-if-someone-dies-abroad/)

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