Q: If I die overseas, what happens to my body?
A: Your next of kin will be consulted about your wishes and every effort will be made to meet these. In some countries, eg Greece and Spain, some organs may be removed during post mortems to determine the cause of death. These are not necessarily reunited with the body before repatriation or burial.

Q: If I am alone, how will my relatives learn of my death?
A: Depending on the circumstances, the Consul will pass the information to the FCO in London who will ask the local police to inform your next of kin.

Q: Will the Embassy pay for my funeral overseas or to have my body brought back to the UK?
A: No. This is a matter for your next of kin and your insurance company.

Q: If I die overseas, what happens to my body?
A: Your next of kin will be consulted about your wishes and every effort
will be made to meet these.

Q: If my relative or friend dies overseas, will I have to go there myself?
A: It is not normally necessary for you personally to visit the country to make the burial arrangements. The Consul can normally arrange for a competent local undertaker to arrange everything for you.

You should be aware that in some countries, eg Greece and Spain, organs may be removed during autopsies to determine the cause of death. This can be done at the discretion of a doctor, without the consent of the next of kin. Organs that are removed are not necessarily reunited with the body before repatriation.

Consular staff will advise your next of kin if organ retention is a possibility and will tell them what options are available to them to ensure the eventual return of the organs. If the body has been repatriated to the UK, your local coroner may also be able to request the return of any organs
that are removed.

Q: What should I do about the estate of my relative who has died overseas?
A: You should think about appointing a local lawyer to handle the estate. The Consul can provide details of local lawyers.

Q: Must I register a death overseas at the Embassy?
A: You do not have to register the death at the Consulate. But many people do prefer to have a British death certificate which the Consulate can provide.

If a relative or friend dies while you are abroad with them
All deaths must be registered in the country where the death occurs. Your tour guide, the local police or the British Consul can advise you how to go about this. If you are anxious about coping in a foreign language or about any other problem, the British Consul will be able to help.
Make sure you have as much documentation as possible about the deceased and yourself. This should include:

• Full name.
  
• Date of birth.
• Passport number.
• Where and when the passport was issued.
• If you are not the closest relative yourself, next of kin of the deceased person.

If the deceased was known to be suffering from an infectious condition, for example the hepatitis or HIV viruses, it is essential that the authorities be told so that they can take precautions against infection.

If a close relative or friend dies abroad while you are in the UK

• If the death has been reported to a British Consulate overseas they will pass the details to the UK police who will immediately visit the next of kin and break the news.
  
• If you hear of the death from a tour operator, the media, or any other third party you should contact the FCO on 020 7008 1500.
  
• Consular staff in London will keep in touch with the family and the Consulate abroad until burial or cremation overseas or until the deceased has been brought back to the UK.
• Consular staff in London will pass on to the Consulate overseas the wishes of the next of kin about disposal of the body. We will do our best to ensure these are carried out.
  

If a relative or friend is the victim of murder overseas, the Consul is there to guide and help you.

• The Consul can advise on local burial/cremation or refer you to an experienced international undertaker to bring the body home.
  
• You should register the death with the local authorities.
  
• You do not have to register the death with the British Consulate. But by doing so you can obtain a UK death certificate, which will be registered in the UK. (British Consulates cannot issue UK death certificates in: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa and Zimbabwe).
  
• Bringing the body home may be delayed in order to have an overseas inquest and post mortem.
  
• The Consul can provide details of local lawyers but cannot become directly involved in any legal action, investigate a crime or follow up a murder.
  

How the FCO can Help

• They can keep the next of kin informed. Their job is to ensure you do not feel you are on your own.
  
• They can advise on the cost of local burial, local cremation and transport of the remains and personal property back to the UK.
  
• They can provide a list of local funeral directors. If an English-speaking firm is not available, Consulate staff will help you with the arrangements.
  
• Where there is evidence of suspicious circumstances the British Consul can advise you on the best way to raise your concerns with the local authorities.
  

The emotions you may experience after a major personal crisis such as the death of a loved one can be traumatic. It is important to remember that help is available.
But they cannot...

• Investigate deaths themselves.
  
• Pay burial or cremation expenses.
  
• Pay for the return of bodies to the UK.
  
• Pay any debts that may be outstanding.