Losing a loved one abroad is overwhelming. Families must manage local laws, consular rules, and international logistics during an already painful time.

Many people ask, “What happens if you die in another country?” because it can be hard to find answers. The answer is that local authorities handle the decedent first, then the U.S. embassy contacts the family and helps with documents. From there, families must decide on repatriation or local cremation.

This guide explains each step, so you know what to expect and how to bring your loved one home.

Need help planning a cremation? Our team at After is here to guide you with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.

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What Happens If Someone Dies Abroad?

If someone dies abroad, local authorities recover and identify the individual, notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and begin the process of contacting the next of kin.

Here’s what typically happens:

• Officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. This happens soon after identification.
  
  
• The embassy contacts the next of kin. They use emergency contact details from the deceased’s passport or travel documents. If no contact information is available, they work with local authorities or legal channels to locate family members.
  
  
• The embassy does not take custody of remains. Instead, it provides contact details for local funeral homes or mortuary services. Local authorities or private providers store the decedent.
  
  
• Local laws may override family wishes. This is especially true if there are urgent health, legal, or religious requirements.
  
  
• If no one claims the individual, the local government makes arrangements. This may include cremation or burial according to local regulations.
  
  
• The U.S. government does not cover costs. Families must pay for funeral services, cremation, or transportation. The embassy can help coordinate but not fund these arrangements.
  

Other agencies or insurance may help in rare cases. This usually applies to U.S. government employees or humanitarian situations. The embassy issues a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA). They only begin this process after they receive the local death certificate.

The CRODA acts as an official U.S. death certificate. You need it for settling the estate, filing insurance claims, or closing accounts. Families should request multiple copies of the CRODA.

Most banks, agencies, and legal offices require an original copy for each transaction.

What to Do When a Loved One Dies Abroad

You might wonder: What to do when a relative dies abroad? It’s critical to take the right steps in the first few hours. You’ll need to notify authorities, collect documents, and start making after-death arrangements.

Step 1: Notify Authorities and the US Embassy

Call local emergency services or police in the country where the death occurred. This ensures the death is officially documented before they take the individual into their care.

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You can find contact details for every country online. Embassies provide 24/7 emergency services and will guide you through the next steps.

If you can’t reach the embassy yourself, ask local officials to notify them. Early notification speeds up the consular process and prevents delays.

Step 2: Obtain the Local Death Certificate

Request an official death certificate from local authorities. Hospitals, civil registries, or government offices usually issue this document.

Check whether you need a certified English translation or an apostille. U.S. agencies typically require English versions, and some legal processes need apostilles for validation.

Keep multiple copies. You’ll need the certificate for repatriation, insurance claims, and managing the estate.

Step 3: Coordinate With the US Embassy

The U.S. embassy contacts the next of kin if no family is present. They also help with early decisions and paperwork.

Embassy staff provide lists of local funeral homes, legal contacts, and translators. These providers often speak English and are familiar with U.S. needs. However, the embassy does not select vendors or negotiate on your behalf.

They may help send documents but do not act as couriers or handle full logistics. The embassy does not pay for funeral services, cremation, or transport.

Step 4: Decide on Local Cremation or Repatriation

You’ll need to decide whether to have a cremation abroad or return the decedent to the U.S. Your choice depends on cost, timing, and personal preference.

Local cremation is usually simpler and more affordable. You can carry or ship remains home with the correct paperwork. Repatriation costs $2,000 to $10,000 or more. It requires embalming, permits, and coordination with airlines and customs.

The embassy can explain legal and procedural steps but does not arrange transport or cover costs. If the person remains unclaimed, the local government may cremate or bury the remains under its own laws.

Understanding Repatriation of Remains

Preparation for international transport involves several legal and medical steps. Most airlines and countries require embalming and sealing in a leak-proof casket. This preserves the remains during travel and meets public health standards.

You’ll also need to provide multiple documents before transport:

• A local or temporary death certificate with a certified English translation
• Transit and export permits from the country of death
• An embalming certificate (if applicable)
• A funeral director’s affidavit confirming the remains meet international standards

Funeral directors or repatriation specialists usually handle these requirements. They coordinate with local authorities, airlines, and customs to ensure everything complies with legal and health regulations.

Airlines and customs agencies have strict documentation policies. Airlines review all paperwork before accepting the remains, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection must clear them upon arrival.

Missing or incomplete documents can cause delays. Working with a provider experienced in repatriation helps prevent issues during this sensitive process.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Expenses if You Die in Another Country?

Travel insurance can cover costs related to death abroad, including repatriation and cremation. Most policies include a “repatriation of remains” benefit, which pays to return the individual or remains to the U.S.

Typical coverage includes transport, local cremation or burial, document translation, and paperwork assistance. Some plans also include emergency medical evacuation if a person becomes critically ill before passing.

Not all policies cover every situation. Many exclude deaths related to preexisting medical conditions, extreme sports, or high-risk activities. Some limit the amount reimbursed or require upfront payment.

Always read the fine print before you travel. If you’re traveling abroad, confirm that your policy includes repatriation, translation support, and funeral-related benefits.

Required Documents and Procedures for Repatriation

You’ll need legal, medical, and transportation documents for repatriation of remains. These papers confirm the identity of the deceased, authorize the transfer, and meet both local and U.S. requirements.

Key documents that you need for repatriation:

• Local death certificate: You’ll need the original certificate plus a certified English translation.
  
  
• Preliminary documentation: Some countries issue preliminary documentation, which may be sufficient to begin repatriation.
  
  
• Transit and export permits: Local authorities issue this to allow transport out of the country, requirements vary by country.
  
  
• Embalming or health certificate: Confirms that the remains meet international public health standards.
  
  
• Deceased person’s U.S. passport: Needs collection and cancellation by the U.S. embassy or consulate. This also supports travel authorization and updates to federal records.
  
  
• Authorization letter from next of kin: Grants legal permission to move the remains across borders.

Once these documents are in order, a funeral director or repatriation specialist can help coordinate transport and customs clearance.

Does a Deceased Person Need a Passport?

Families may need to know: Does a dead body need a passport? Most repatriations require a valid U.S. passport to confirm identity, support customs clearance, and complete legal paperwork.

After death, the passport must be officially canceled. You can do this by submitting it to the nearest U.S. embassy or mailing it to the State Department. While no longer valid for travel, the passport remains essential for documentation.

If you lose the passport or it’s unavailable, you can use an alternative ID. The government accepts the following documents: A birth certificate, government-issued photo ID, or proof of U.S. citizenship.

Some countries may accept a canceled passport or alternate ID, but it’s still better to use a valid passport.

What to Do with a Deceased Person’s Passport

Submit the deceased person’s passport to the U.S. embassy or consulate for cancellation. You need this step to finalize federal records and issue the Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA).

The embassy may return the canceled passport to the family or retain it for official records. The passport will show “Cancelled” or “Deceased” once they return it.

Do not use a canceled passport. It is no longer valid for travel or legal use, but it remains part of the official death documentation.

How to Report the Death of a Permanent Resident

Report the death of a U.S. permanent resident to both the U.S. embassy and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This applies to lawful permanent residents (green card holders) who die outside the U.S.

Provide two key documents:

• A certified foreign death certificate
• The canceled green card, if available

These documents help close government records and prevent identity fraud. Reporting the death updates immigration, Social Security, and tax systems. It may also affect the legal status or benefits of surviving spouses or dependents.

Procedures for permanent residents differ from those for U.S. citizens. Contact both the embassy and USCIS early to avoid delays or legal issues.

Cost Breakdown: Repatriation vs. Local Cremation

Repatriating remains to the U.S. typically costs $2,000 to $10,000 or more. This includes airline fees, embalming, permits, and coordination with funeral homes.

Local cremation usually costs $795 to $3,200. Families can choose to ship the remains or carry them home personally, with the correct paperwork.

Cremated remains are easier and less expensive to transport. Airlines and customs allow mailing or hand-carrying cremated remains with transit permits and documentation.

Travel insurance or prepaid plans can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Before traveling, confirm that your policy covers repatriation, cremation, and paperwork.

For more on pricing, find out how much a funeral costs or visit After’s pricing page.

Plan Now for Peace of Mind, Wherever Life Takes You

We hope this guide gives you clarity on what happens if you die in another country.

You can give your loved ones clarity, support, and fewer decisions to make during a crisis by planning ahead. Travel insurance, emergency contact updates, and repatriation coverage can help your family navigate a death abroad.

Prepaid cremation plans provide added peace of mind. While After does not manage international repatriation, we offer simple, affordable direct cremation services for families after returning to the U.S.

Need help now? Call After anytime at 1-844-760-0427. Our team is here 24/7 with clear, compassionate support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Do if a Family Member Dies Abroad?

If a family member dies abroad, contact local emergency services first. Then notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The embassy guides you through documentation, repatriation, or local cremation.

What Happens if No One Claims the Decedent Abroad?

If no one claims the decedent abroad, local authorities arrange burial or cremation according to the country’s laws. The U.S. embassy continues trying to reach the next of kin, but the U.S. government does not pay for or arrange the final disposition.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Decedent Back to the U.S.?

Shipping a decedent back to the U.S. costs $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Costs vary by country, airline requirements, preparation procedures, and funeral provider fees.

Can You Cremate Someone Overseas and Bring the Remains Home?

You can cremate someone overseas and bring the remains home. Follow local paperwork requirements and carry or ship the remains with the correct export and import documents.

What Paperwork Do You Need To Repatriate Remains?

To repatriate remains, you need a local death certificate with an English translation, transit and export permits, an embalming certificate, the deceased’s passport, and a signed authorization from the next of kin.

Does a Deceased Person Need a Passport To Travel?

A deceased person needs a valid passport for repatriation and customs clearance. The U.S. embassy or State Department cancels the passport after death.

How Do I Cancel a Passport After Someone Dies Abroad?

To cancel a passport after someone dies abroad, submit it to the U.S. embassy or mail it to the U.S. State Department. They cancel the document and update federal records.

Does Travel Insurance Cover International Funeral Expenses?

Many travel insurance policies cover international funeral expenses. Coverage often includes repatriation, cremation, and paperwork assistance. Check your policy for exclusions and limits.

What if the Person Was a U.S. Permanent Resident?

If the person was a U.S. permanent resident, notify the U.S. embassy and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Provide a certified death certificate to update immigration, Social Security, and tax records.

Can I Prepay Cremation To Avoid Repatriation Costs?

You cannot entirely avoid repatriation costs. You can prepay for cremation to help. Prearranged cremation plans reduce expenses and simplify decisions if someone dies soon after returning to the U.S.