When Someone Dies Abroad
Losing someone is hard enough without also having to deal with foreign legal systems, language barriers, and arrangements being made hundreds of miles away. In 2024 to 2025 the FCDO supported the families of more than 6,000 British nationals who died overseas, so although it may feel it, you are not the only one facing this. This guide explains what to do, step by step.
6,000+
Families the FCDO supported after a death abroad in 2024-25
Weeks
Repatriation usually takes weeks, not days
£3,000-£10,000+
Typical repatriation quotes, though it varies by country
What to do, step by step
Contact the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
The FCDO operates a 24/7 helpline on +44 20 7008 5000. They can help with local procedures, contact family members on your behalf, and provide guidance on repatriation. They will assign a consular officer who can liaise with local authorities, help identify the person, and put you in touch with local funeral directors and translators. Contact them as soon as possible.
Get a local death certificate
The death must be registered in the country where it happened. The local British consulate can guide you through this process. You will need the local death certificate translated into English and legalised (apostilled) before it can be used in the UK. The consulate can recommend approved translators. Keep multiple copies of the translated certificate, as UK banks and institutions will each need one.
Decide: repatriation or local funeral
Repatriation (bringing your loved one home to the UK) is expensive, and quotes commonly run into several thousand pounds, often £3,000 to £10,000 or more depending on the country. Ask an international funeral director for a written quote rather than relying on a general figure. The cost covers embalming, a zinc-lined coffin, air freight, and a good deal of paperwork. A local burial or cremation in the country where they passed away is often much cheaper and can be arranged more quickly. There is no legal requirement to bring them home. Think about what they would have wanted and what the family can afford; neither choice is the wrong one.
Arrange repatriation
If you choose repatriation, use a specialist international funeral director. The FCDO can provide a list of experienced firms. They must be embalmed and placed in a zinc-lined coffin, accompanied by paperwork including a freedom from infection certificate, the local death certificate, and customs clearance documents. The funeral director will handle most of this, but expect it to take several weeks, as nothing can move until the local procedures are complete.
Check travel insurance
Travel insurance often covers repatriation, along with medical, legal, interpretation and translation costs, though limits vary by policy, so read the wording or ask the insurer what the cap is. Contact the insurer immediately and provide the policy number and details of what happened. Keep every receipt for expenses including flights, accommodation, phone calls, and translation fees. If the person was on a package holiday, the tour operator may also assist with costs and logistics.
Consider registering the death in the UK
You do not have to register the death in the UK, and many families do not. If you would like a permanent UK record, you can apply for a consular death registration through the FCDO Overseas Registration Unit rather than at your local register office. You apply by post, sending the foreign death certificate with a certified English translation. There are fees for registration and for each certified copy, listed on GOV.UK. This does not replace the registration in the country where they died.
Cancel the passport and bring belongings home
You will need their passport if you are bringing them home, so do not cancel it until they have been repatriated, or until they have been buried or cremated overseas. After that, fill in form D1, cut off the top right-hand corner of the passport, and send both to the Customer Service Management Team, HM Passport Office, PO Box 767, Southport, PR8 9PW, or hand them in at the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. Section 3a of the form lets you choose between having the passport cancelled and disposed of, or cancelled and returned to you, so do say if you would like it back as a keepsake. On belongings, the FCDO can point you to options for getting personal effects home, though it cannot return them for you, and your funeral director may be able to help. In some countries items are held by the police or local authorities while an investigation continues.
If the death involved suspicious circumstances
If someone dies in suspicious circumstances abroad, a local police investigation will take place. This can significantly delay repatriation, sometimes by months. The FCDO will keep you updated on the progress of any investigation, but they cannot intervene in foreign legal processes. You may want to seek legal advice from a solicitor with experience in international cases.
Country-specific considerations
EU and EEA countries
Many EU countries can issue a multilingual standard form alongside the local death certificate, which can save on translation costs, so it is worth asking the local registrar or the consulate. Many EU countries also have well-established processes for dealing with foreign nationals, and English-speaking consular staff are usually available. Repatriation from EU countries tends to be faster and less expensive than from more distant destinations.
USA and Canada
Both countries have well-established repatriation procedures. The British consulate or embassy will assist with local requirements. Be aware that some US states require a mandatory autopsy for certain types of death, which can add time to the process. Costs tend to be higher due to distance.
Popular holiday destinations (Spain, France, Greece, Turkey)
UK consulates in popular tourist areas handle these cases regularly and are experienced with the process. Tour operators can often provide significant practical help, especially if the person was on a package holiday. Repatriation from these countries is usually straightforward.
Countries with mandatory autopsy requirements
Some countries, including certain US states and India, require a mandatory post-mortem examination for unexpected or unnatural deaths. This can delay repatriation by several weeks. The local consulate will keep you informed about the timeline and can help expedite the process where possible.
Common questions
Do I need to register the death in the UK?
No. GOV.UK is clear that you do not have to register the death in the UK. If you would like a permanent UK record, you can apply for a consular death registration through the FCDO Overseas Registration Unit by post, and there are fees for the registration and for each certified copy. Many families find the local certificate, translated and legalised, is enough for UK banks and probate.
Who pays for repatriation?
The family, or the estate, pays for repatriation. Travel insurance may cover most or all of the costs. The FCDO does not pay for repatriation. If the person had no insurance and the family cannot afford it, a local burial or cremation is usually the most practical option.
Can I arrange a funeral in the country where they died?
Yes, and it is often significantly cheaper than repatriation. The local British consulate can help find funeral directors and advise on local customs and legal requirements. Many families choose a local cremation and then bring the ashes home, which is simpler and less expensive than full repatriation.
What if they had no travel insurance?
You will need to fund repatriation yourself or choose a local funeral. The FCDO cannot pay burial, cremation, repatriation or legal costs. It can, though, point you towards charities that help with repatriation, including the JackTheLad Foundation for people aged 16 to 30 who died in an accident overseas, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the Repatriation Services Trust for families from Wales. A Funeral Expenses Payment or the Children's Funeral Fund may also help with some costs.
How long does repatriation take?
Usually several weeks. You can only bring someone home once all local procedures are finished, so the timing depends on the country. It takes longer if there is a post-mortem examination, a criminal investigation, or complex local paperwork. Countries with mandatory autopsies or those where the death was unexpected may add several weeks to the timeline.
Can I fly out to be with them?
Yes. The FCDO can help with emergency travel documents if your passport has expired or you do not have one. If you need to travel urgently, the consulate can issue an Emergency Travel Document. Some travel insurance policies also cover the cost of a family member travelling out to deal with arrangements.
Related guides
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Every type of funeral explained, from traditional to direct cremation
Costs Breakdown
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Document Checklist
Every document you need to gather, where to find them, and who needs them
Support & Helplines
Free helplines, counselling services, and bereavement organisations
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