What Happens If I Die Abroad As An Expat?

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, and navigating the procedures that follow is even more challenging when that person dies abroad.

In this article, we’ll guide you through what happens when someone passes away overseas, including how international life insurance can impact the process, the logistics of repatriation, how to obtain an expat’s death certificate, and arranging a funeral in your home country.

Getting a death certificate for an expat

The first step when someone dies abroad is obtaining their death certificate.

This document is formal proof that the person is deceased. It will be required to move ahead with legal and administrative processes such as repatriation, inheritance, and insurance claims. 

Where to obtain a death certificate

The death certificate must be issued in the country where the individual passed away. Local authorities, such as the civil registry office, or equivalent government department, are responsible for issuing the death certificate.

If the person died in hospital or under medical supervision, a doctor typically initiates the process by providing a medical certificate of death. This can be taken to a registrar, who will then provide a formal death certificate. 

If the death occurred outside of a medical setting, you may need to consult local law enforcement. They may need to conduct an autopsy to establish the cause of death before a death certificate can be provided.

If you are having trouble obtaining a death certificate, your national embassy or consulate may be able to help.

How can your embassy help you as an expat?

Learn more about embassies and consulates

Steps to obtaining a death certificate

To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into steps:

1/ Contact local authorities

Begin by reaching out to the local registry office or its equivalent in the country where the death occurred. If you are unsure of the process, your national embassy or consulate may be able to help.

2/ Provide required documentation

In order to apply for an expat’s death certificate, you will typically need to provide:

• Identification for both the deceased and the person reporting the death (passport, ID cards, etc.)
• The medical certificate of death, if one has been issued by a doctor or coroner
• Any additional information or forms required by local regulations

3/ Request a multilingual certificate

If the death certificate is issued in a language other than your native language, you may need to have it translated and certified.

You may be able to request a multilingual death certificate. If not, you can obtain an apostille through the local authorities, which can simplify its use for international legal purposes.

4/ Register the death in your home country

While not mandatory, it is advisable to register the death with your home country’s authorities. For UK expats, this should be done through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

Registering the death in your home country will enable you to get a local death certificate, which can make financial and legal processes easier.

Is it difficult to get a death certificate when someone dies abroad? 

Some countries may have more complex processes than others when it comes to registering a foreign death. This may involve additional documentation or longer waiting periods, slowing the process of organising repatriation or arranging a funeral.

Language barriers and unfamiliar legal systems can also pose challenges, especially if you are trying to organise everything over the phone.

Seeking the assistance of your national consulate or a legal representative familiar with local procedures can help you to navigate these difficulties and ease the stress during a difficult time.

Life insurance is there to protect your family if you pass away

Find out more about how international life insurance works

Does having life insurance make a difference?

Whether or not the deceased had international life insurance can make a huge difference in how the situation is managed. Let’s consider both scenarios:

If someone dies abroad with insurance…

To activate a life insurance claim, the family or nominated beneficiary needs to inform the insurer as soon as possible, providing necessary documentation such as the death certificate, proof of identity, and sometimes a medical report detailing the cause of death.

If the deceased held an international health insurance policy at the time of their passing, their insurance provider may be able to help with the process of repatriating their remains, or organising a local burial or cremation. Speak to your insurance provider to understand whether they might be able to help.

If your loved one was a William Russell member, and they had added the funeral and repatriation benefit to their life insurance policy, we’ll pay an additional US$5,000 to their lead beneficiary, who can then use these funds to organise their repatriation. If you would prefer to organise a funeral or cremation in the country where your loved one died, we’ll also pay a benefit to help cover the cost of a local funeral.

If someone dies abroad without insurance…

If someone dies abroad and they do not have a life insurance policy in place, the family will need to shoulder the logistical, administrative and financial responsibilities themselves. This includes the costs of repatriating their loved one’s remains and organising a funeral.

There are many companies around the world that specialise in supporting families whose loved ones have passed away in a foreign country. These companies can help with the process of repatriation and in organising a funeral. A funeral arranger in your own country may be able to help organise this, even if your loved one has passed away abroad.

Families may also wish to organise a local funeral or cremation for their loved one. This may be a more affordable option, although the costs of funerals around the world can range up to US$25,800/£20,000, depending on the country in which their loved one died, and the circumstances around their death.

How much life insurance do you need?

Find out with our life benefit calculator

Repatriation after death

Repatriation is the process of returning a person’s remains to their home country for burial or cremation. While it provides closure for families by ensuring their loved one rests in their chosen location, repatriation can be complex and costly, especially if there is no life insurance cover in place. 

How much does it cost to repatriate a dead body? 

The cost of repatriating a dead body depends on a number of factors, including the countries you need the body to travel between, the distance to be covered, type of flight and the type of coffin. 

The average cost of repatriating remains worldwide is between US$3,800 and US$7,800 (£3,000 and £6,000). These costs are determined by a number of factors, including:

• The cost of storing the remains in preparation for transport to another country
• The cost of transporting the remains to and from the mode of international transport
• The cost of transporting the remains overseas, which will vary based on which mode of transportation you choose
• The cost of storing the remains on the other side of this journey

If you’re planning on a cremation and are happy for that cremation to take place overseas, repatriating ashes is usually less expensive, costing around US$1,300 to US3,800 (£1,000 to £3,000). 

Remember to check your loved one’s will before committing to any decision, as they may have outlined specific wishes concerning their funeral.

When choosing a repatriation service, there are a few things that should be included in the price. These include:

• Local transport – The cost of transporting your loved one from their current resting place to an intermediate space for mortuary care, and then onwards to their international mode of transport
• Mortuary care – Preparing and dressing your loved one ready for repatriation
• International embalming – Preparing your loved one’s remains for travel by air
• Coffin – Safe repatriation typically requires a coffin that is lined with zinc or has a zinc cladding. This helps to ensure the safety and hygiene of your loved one during transportation, as well as the safety of fellow passengers
• Free from infection certificate – This document will be issued by a medical professional, confirming that your loved one is safe to travel

Still unsure of whether you should take out international life insurance?

Here are 8 reasons to take out life insurance when moving abroad

Funeral arrangements

When a loved one passes away abroad, deciding on funeral arrangements is an important step in honouring their memory. One key decision is whether to hold the funeral in the country where they passed away, or bring them home for burial or cremation.

A local funeral can sometimes be quicker and easier to organise, especially in countries with clear legal and cultural frameworks for handling the deceased. However, it’s worth considering whether the local customs align with your family’s wishes and traditions.

If your loved one’s final resting place is to be at home, you’ll likely organise the funeral after their repatriation. Many funeral directors in your home country can coordinate repatriation services to ensure a smooth process, allowing you to focus on planning a meaningful service for family and friends.

How much do funerals cost around the world? 

The cost of a funeral can vary significantly depending on the location, cultural traditions, and the services chosen. If the deceased wished for cremation, this may be a less expensive option in many regions, but the costs still depend on local practices. For example, cremation is often more common and affordable in countries like India or Japan, whereas burial might be the standard in Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, or Catholic countries such as Italy and Poland. 

To get an idea of how funeral costs differ around the world, we’ve put together a list of the average cost of a funeral in 20 countries:

Do you have assets in more than one country?

Here’s how to write your will as an expat living abroad

Checklist: What to do if someone dies abroad

1/ Contact the local embassy

Regardless of whether there is a life insurance policy in place, the first step is to contact the local embassy or consulate. They will be able to provide you with guidance on local procedures and legal requirements.

2/ Get a death certificate

You’ll need a death certificate from the local authorities in the country where the death occurred. This document is essential for repatriation, legal processes, and settling financial matters. If the certificate is not in your language, you may need to arrange for a certified translation.

3/ Contact the deceased’s insurer

If your loved one had international life insurance, now is the time to give their insurer a call. Many policies include support for repatriation, funeral costs, or other assistance that can help ease the burden during this difficult time.

4/ Check their will

Locate your loved one’s will, if they had one, to understand their wishes regarding funeral arrangements, distribution of assets, and other important matters. The will can provide some comfort and guidance during a challenging time. 

5/ Decide if you want their body repatriated

Consider whether you wish to bring your loved one back home or have the funeral in the country where they passed. Repatriation requires coordination with a funeral director experienced in international transportation and may involve additional costs and paperwork.

6/ Prepare for their funeral

Whether the funeral is held abroad or at home, you’ll need to coordinate with funeral directors to make arrangements that respect your loved one’s wishes. Consider cultural and religious traditions, as well as any preferences they may have expressed about burial or cremation.

7/ Inform family and friends

Once key decisions have been made, inform relatives and close friends. They may want to help with arrangements or attend the funeral, whether in person or remotely.

International life insurance designed with you in mind

Our international life insurance policy is tailor-made for expats. It offers worldwide coverage, so no matter what happens while you’re living or travelling abroad, you can enjoy total peace of mind.

For over 30 years, William Russell has specialised in helping expats like you get the insurance they need at a great price. We are proud of our award-winning customer service and our comprehensive policies that have helped families live their lives to the full.