Decease Abroad Factsheet

Death Abroad

We empathize how difficult information technology is for families and friends when a loved one dies away, when grief may be compounded past barriers of foreign language, law and civilisation. This factsheet offers primal data and will assistance yous navigate through the complex process surrounding a death abroad.

Whether yous are in Canada, or abroad with the deceased, the following data should be taken into consideration. It is usually not necessary for y'all to travel to the location where the expiry occurred.

Starting time steps when dealing with a death abroad:

1) Identify a designated representative to make decisions for the family, either in Canada or locally. When possible, it is appropriate that this person accept the required documentation, such equally the deceased'south will and whatever power of attorney.

two) Notify the travel insurance provider of the decease and ensure that their instructions are followed, to avoid unnecessary delays or complications.

3) Identify a funeral home in the region where the expiry took place that is experienced in international funeral arrangements. The funeral abode volition guide you lot through the next steps and assist with arrangements in both countries, should you wish a funeral in Canada.

Funeral arrangements (away or at dwelling house)

Your designated representative will need to make decisions for the family regarding the disposition of the remains of the deceased.

The funeral home in the region will propose yous on available options for burial and/or cremation. For example, cremation is non always available locally and the body may need to be sent to another location to be cremated. In many countries, at that place are strict fourth dimension constraints involved in the cremation and burial procedure. In some locations, facilities for embalming and preparing remains for transportation may be express or non-existent.

Should you decide to repatriate the remains to Canada, the date of the funeral service should not exist confirmed before the remains or ashes accept been returned and have cleared Canadian customs. Many factors can delay the repatriation of the deceased.

What to expect

The funeral home in the land where the death occurred may exist able to obtain theofficial death certificateand register the death according to local laws.

It is important to sympathize that each land has different policies and procedures andlocal laws applyfollowing the death of a foreigner in their territory.

In many cases, timelines may be longer than in Canada anddelays could occurat whatsoever phase.

Airlines accept their own regulationsfor the repatriation of remains. Family unit members should not expect to travel on the aforementioned aeroplane as the torso when the deceased is being repatriated.

Costs

Repatriating remains back to Canada can be quite plush and, depending on the circumstances of the decease, information technology could be a very long procedure.

In many cases, the funeral home in the region will require a payment guarantee or payment up-front before any action is taken.

Funeral arrangements abroad are usually less costly; however, local community and costs associated with interpretation or translation services for a ceremony overseas can add upwardly.

All costs related to a death abroad and the repatriation of remains or ashes are the family'due south responsibility regardless of the cause of death. Your insurance company may encompass the costs direct, or you may be required to make the payments up-front end and be reimbursed after.

Documentation

The primary documentation required by the designated representative will exist an official death certificate that is issued past local government.

  • The funeral home in the land where the death occurred may be able to obtrain the official expiry document and register the expiry according to local laws.
  • It is recommended that you obtain several copies of the death document as it is required at several stages.
  • If the death certificate is non in one of Canada'due south official languages, it must be translated into English or French by a certified translation service.

Circumstances surrounding the decease and whether human remains or ashes will exist repatriated back to Canada may dictate the need for boosted documentation.

  • Complex cases where an investigation is ongoing may require a medical, police or dissection report and/or toxicology results.
  • In some countries, conducting an autopsy may be mandatory.
  • A mortuary passport may be required to transport remains for cremation in a nearby country should local laws foreclose cremation in the land where the expiry occurred.
  • A cremation certificate is recommended for ashes being repatriated to Canada. If the body of the deceased is being repatriated, certification that the individual had no infectious disease may be required for the body to be released to y'all by Canada Border Services Agency.

When y'all need help

If you are abroad, contact the nearest Canadian authorities function for assistance. In Canada, contact our 24/7 Emergency Spotter and Response Centre past phone at + 1 613 996 8885 (telephone call collect where available) or e-mail atsos@international.gc.ca.

Consular officials tin can assist you understand country-specific processes and consummate the post-obit steps, if needed:

  • acquiring data on the location of the remains and the circumstances surrounding the decease;
  • obtaining a listing of local funeral homes experienced in handling international arrangements;
  • getting in touch with the advisable regime, such as the police, hospital or morgue; and
  • cancelling the Canadian passport of the deceased and obtaining other required services and documentation, such as an dissection and/or police force written report, if applicable.

Related links

  • Global Diplomacy Canada: Death away
  • Service Canada: Following a death
  • Canada Border Services Agency: Importation and Exportation of Human being Remains and Other Human being Tissues
  • Canadian Air Ship Security Authority: Cremated Remains
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