ContactingDisclaimer

This information is not meant to be definitive, nor is it to be taken as a substitute for independent legal advice. Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the insuranceaccuracy companyof the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information. Some of the information may not be relevant to your circumstances. The language used is intended to be general and factual and is not meant to cause offence.

Introduction

When a relative or friend dies abroad, the generaldifferent guidanceprocedures, onlaws or language of the other country can cause additional distress. You may be uncertain about what to do whenor someonewho diesto contact.

This country specific information is designed to help you through some of the practical arrangements you may need to make. It supplements the general information on death abroad ifproduced you’reby notthe sureForeign, ifCommonwealth they& hadDevelopment insurance.Office, which applies to all countries.

ThePlease insurancenote, companyas shouldeach appointcountry has its own laws and customs when a funeraldeath directoroccurs, init Spainmay andnot be possible to make the UK.arrangements Theythat you prefer, or at the time you would like.

How to contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

There is a lot of information below, but you may alsohave coverquestions. You can speak to someone by phone 24/7, any day of the costyear by contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London on 0207 008 5000.

If you are not in the UK, you can find the contact details of bringingthe nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate.

The priority of the person’sForeign, bodyCommonwealth & Development Office is to provide assistance to British nationals abroad who need the UKmost (repatriation)help. The level and helptype withof anyassistance medical,we legal,can interpretationoffer andis translationtailored fees.to the individual circumstances of each case.

RegisteringNext theof deathkin

The deathnext shouldof bekin registeredof at the localperson Spanishwho civildied registrywill asusually soonneed asto ismake possible. decisions Yourand funeralpractical directorarrangements. The shouldnext doof thiskin forcan you.sometimes appoint another person to act on their behalf.

TheIf funeralyou directorare isnot requiredthe next of kin, they will need to informbe informed. If required, the SpanishForeign, civilCommonwealth registry& whatDevelopment funeralOffice planscan arehelp you do this.

There is no legal definition of next of kin in placethe and,UK. Please note that if thethere person’sis bodya disagreement over who is beingthe repatriated,next theyof kin, or the person who died did not choose a next of kin, this can cause additional complications.

Release of information to next of kin

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will alsotry needto obtain as much information as possible after your relative or friend has died abroad. Some of this may be only available to providenext of kin. Consular officers may be able to obtain this themselves, or they may put you in touch directly with the civilauthorities registryoverseas. They may be able to provide you with details of theothers cemeterywho can advocate on your behalf such as lawyers, charities, or crematoriumother organisations.

The Consulate can advise you on how to make requests for post-mortem and police reports. If you have a lawyer, they should be able to assist you in theobtaining UKthese.  asThe thisrelease of any information can take many months, and in some more complicated instances, years. The documents will be includedissued onin the deathlocal certificate.language. The British Consulate is not able to provide translations. You can find our list translators and interpreters in Spain.

Contact the travel insurance company

YouIf willthe needperson informationwho died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Insurance providers may help to cover the cost of repatriation. Repatriation is the process of bringing the body home. Insurance providers may also help with any medical, legal, interpretation and documentstranslation aboutfees.

If the person who hasdied died,had insurance, the insurance company will appoint a funeral director both locally and whilstin itthe mightUK.

What to do if the person who died didn’t have insurance

If you are not sure whether the person who died had insurance, check with their bank, credit card company or employer.

If the person who died did not have insurance, a relative or a formally appointed representative will usually have to appoint a funeral director and be necessaryresponsible infor all costs. You can find a list of international funeral directors here.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office cannot help with any costs. In some cases, thefuneral civildirectors registryand lawyers may requireprovide theservices following:on a pro bono basis. Pro bono work is done for free or for a much reduced cost depending on your circumstances. This is decided on a case by case basis.

• birth

  Charities certificate,and showingorganisations theirthat placeoffer ofsupport

  Some birthUK-based charities and parents’organisations names

• homemay address
• religion
• officialbe identityable documentto (foroffer example,assistance, theirsupport Britishand passport)
• spouse´sinformation detailsto (ifpeople applicable)
• marriageaffected certificateby (ifa applicable)
• divorcedeath papersabroad. (ifFind applicable)

a list of UK-based charities and organisations that can help.

GettingRegistering the death and obtaining a death certificate

AfterDeaths registeringmust be registered in the death,country youwhere the person died. In Spain, the funeral director will getarrange for the registration of the death with the local Spanish civil registry, who will issue a death certificatecertificate.

Local (‘certificadodeath literalcertificates dewill defunción’). be Youin Spanish and do not show the cause of death.  Civil registries can askalso forissue an international versionmultilingual (‘certificadoversion, plurilingüeand deyou defunción’)can whichrequest includesmultiple ancopies Englishof translation.

both versions through your funeral director.  In some regions of Spain, civil registries are issuing digital certificates and if you need additional copies you may be able to obtain these online by accessing the the Spanish Ministry of Justice website or or through your funeral director.

You Spanishneed deathto certificatestell dothe notlocal giveauthorities if the causedeceased ofsuffered death.from It’san worthinfectious askingcondition, forsuch extraas copieshepatitis ofor theHIV, deathso certificate,they ascan youtake mightprecautions needagainst theminfection.

You todo shownot need to otherregister peoplethe later.death Youin willthe normallyUK. receiveThe 3local copies of the death certificate forcan freeusually andbe mayused needin tothe payUK for furthermost copiespurposes, ifincluding you need them.probate.

Post-mortems in Spain

AIf post-mortemyou examination,wish, alsoyou knowncan asregister anthe autopsy, isdeath with the medicalOverseas examinationRegistration ofUnit.

Deal with a person’slocal bodypost-mortem

Post-mortems toare determinenormally theperformed exactwhen the cause of death.death Theis examinationunknown, isunnatural, sudden or violent. Post-mortems are carried out by aforensic pathologistdoctors doctor.  

Inappointed Spain,by athe post-mortemcourt. Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be carriedtaken outinto ifaccount. theThe causeForeign, ofCommonwealth death& isDevelopment unknown,Office unnatural,cannot suddenstop or violent. interfere with the process.

TheDuring pathologista maypost-mortem, remove small tissue samples and organs may be removed and retained for testing without the family’sconsent permission.of the next of kin. You will not automatically be told if this happenshappens.

If andyou culturalwant a copy of the post-mortem report, you must apply through the coroner in the UK (in the case of a repatriation) or religiousto sensitivitiesthe maylocal notcourt bedealing takenwith intothe account. death.

The processingperson timewho fordied can be buried or cremated in Spain or returned to the UK before tests on tissueremoved samplesorgans andare organscompleted. canAny varyorgans considerably,removed typicallyare takingretained severalfor monthsthe dependingduration onof the specifictests, typeand are then put in storage for a period of testtime involved. before being destroyed.

IfHowever, if you wish to recover the pathologistorgans doctoryou doesmay removerequest organs,this theythrough usuallythe dooffices notof returnthe themUK beforecoroner (in the person’scase bodyof isa releasedrepatriation forto burialEngland orand cremation.Wales) Inwho exceptionalwill circumstances,contact doctorsthe mayBritish keepConsulate, bodyor partsby withoutinstructing theyour family’slawyer permissionin whenSpain furtherif investigationyou ishave required. one. The person’sBritish nextConsulate ofwill kinmake willa notformal necessarilyrequest beto toldthe ifrelevant thisSpanish happens. 

Thecourt doctorasking whofor performsthe return of the post-mortemremoved examinationorgans, doeson notbehalf issueof the reportfamily.

Bring to the person’sbody nexthome

Repatriation is the process of kin.bringing Youthe mustbody applyhome. toIf the localperson courtwho todied obtainhad ainsurance, copyfind ofout if their insurance provider can help cover the report.cost of repatriation. If youso, havethey anwill appointedmake lawyer,all theythe cannecessary applyarrangements.

If forthe aperson copywho ondied youris behalf. not Seecovered Findby ainsurance, lawyeryou inwill Spainneed forto aappoint listan ofinternational English-speakingfuneral lawyers.director yourself.

Burying

The orrepatriation crematingprocess usually takes 7 to 10 days. Local authorities can request that bodies are embalmed within six days after the bodydeath. inIf Spain

Youthe needembalming aprocess localdoes funeralnot directortake Findplace awithin funeralthis directortimeframe, inthe Spainlocal toauthorities arrangemay not authorise a burialrepatriation. orContact cremationthe ininternational Spain.or Thelocal exactfuneral rulesdirector onfor burialsfurther andinformation cremationsas arethis differentcan vary depending on wherethe area of Spain you are inin.

Find Spain.an Yourinternational funeral director

A canrelative giveor youa advice.

Youformally shouldappointed notrepresentative havemust appoint a UK-based international funeral director for the person crematedwho abroaddied ifto yoube wantrepatriated to the UK. You can find a coronerlist inof EnglandUK-based orinternational Walesfuneral directors here.

Local funeral directors will work with UK-based international funeral directors to conductmake ansure inquestall intothe theirnecessary death.requirements Inare Scotlandmet both locally and Northernin Irelandthe thereUK. isThis noincludes coronialproviding involvement. documents Insuch Scotland,as a furtherlocal investigationcivil mayregistry stilldeath becertificate, possible. a Morecertificate informationof onembalming coronerand servicesa iscertificate availablegiving inpermission thisto guide:transfer Guidethe remains to Coronerthe services .UK.

Bringing

Advice theand bodyfinancial toassistance thefor UK

repatriation

AskFor yourorganisations insuranceand companycharities orthat funeralmay directorbe aboutable optionsto foroffer bringingassistance thewith person’srepatriation, bodysee toinformation theon UKLBT fromGlobal Spain.in Coping with death abroad: specialist support and advice or repatriation charities in Northern Ireland and Wales.

WhenIf takingyou thewant person’sto bodyhave toa post-mortem in the UK fromonce Spain,the yourbody funeralhas directorbeen willrepatriated, beyou responsiblecan forrequest ensuringone thatfrom alla theUK necessarycoroner. documentsThe arecoroner inwill placethen anddecide localif requirementsa havepost-mortem beenis met.needed. TheIf funeralyou directorwant willthe needperson thewho passport,died orto otherbe formcremated, ofyou identification,need ofto apply for a certificate from the personcoroner who(form died.‘Cremation 6’).

BringingBring the ashes to the UKhome

AskIf youryou funeralchoose directorlocal aboutcremation theand ruleswish forto bringingtake the ashes back to the UK. UK Thereyourself, areyou differentcan rulesusually dependingdo onso. Check wherewith youthe areairline inabout Spain.

Bringingspecific therestrictions ashesor torequirements, thefor UKexample yourself

Ifwhether you arecan takingcarry the ashes withas youhand whenluggage. youWhen leaveleaving Spain with human ashes you will need to:

• show the death certificate (ifof available,cremation
• fill otherwisein checka withstandard thecustoms airline)
• showform thewhen cremationyou certificatearrive home
• follow local Spanishrules regulations about leavingdeparting Spain with asheshuman – your funeral director can give you more informationashes

AskIf yourit funeralis directornot possible for advice if you cannotto taketransport the ashes yourself. yourself, Youa mayfuneral notdirector will be able to sendmake themthe bynecessary postarrangements. orYou courier.  Ashes can befind shippeda bylist airof freight,UK-based althoughinternational thisfuneral candirectors be expensive.here.

GettingBury theor person’scremate belongingsthe backbody locally

BelongingsTo thehave persona hadlocal withburial themor whencremation, theya diedrelative willor normallya beformally givenappointed torepresentative you,needs theto Spanishappoint police,a orlocal thefuneral localdirector.

You courtcan iffind a post-mortemlist isof carriedlocal out.funeral directors here.

IfIn youSpain, bringa theburial person´swill bodynormally tobe thein UK,an youabove canground askstructure, yoursuch localas funerala directorburial towall, collectwith spaces called ‘niches’ where the belongingsurn andor arrangecasket forare themplaced. Rights to bethis transportedspace byare couriernormally (thisonly willheld incurfor anfive extrayears, cost).unless otherwise agreed.

IfIn thesome personrural wasareas, acoffin Spanishbearers residentare you may not beincluded ablein tothe takeservice of the belongingsfuneral asdirectors. theyWhen maymaking arrangements, be partsure ofto theirspecify estate.that Getthese legalare advicerequired.

In ifSpain thisthe happensscattering Findof aashes lawyer in Spain.

Belongingspublic mayspaces, beincluding keptthe assea, evidenceis ifnot thereallowed.

If isa anlocal investigationburial intoor thecremation death,takes andplace, maythere onlywill not be returneda whencoroner’s theinquest courtcarried caseout isin over.the UK.

FindingRetrieve a Spanish translatorbelongings

YouPersonal maybelongings needfound aon translatorthe toperson helpwho youdied understandat Spanishthe rulestime orof getdeath documentsare translated.handed Checkto officialthe translatorspolice inif Spainthe Findfamily ais listnot ofpresent.

If translatorsyou andchoose interpretersto inrepatriate, Spain.instruct Thethe embassylocal orfuneral consulatedirector into Spaincollect cannotall providepersonal translationbelongings servicesfrom the police or paycourt forand translationship costs.

Findingthem atogether Spanishwith lawyer

Youthe mayperson needwho adied.

If lawyerthere tois helpan youinvestigation understandinto the Spanishdeath, legalclothing systemmay whenbe someoneretained hasas died.evidence Checkand English-speakingwill lawyersnot inbe Spainreturned Finduntil athe lawyercourt incase Spain.is finished.

The embassyForeign, orCommonwealth consulate& inDevelopment SpainOffice cannot givehelp youwith legalthe advicecost orof payreturning forpersonal legalbelongings costs.to the family.

TellingFind thea UK authoritiestranslator

AlthoughYou youmay doneed nota havetranslator to registerhelp theunderstand deathinformation infrom thelocal UK,authorities whenor someoneget diescertain abroaddocuments youtranslated. stillYou needcan tofind tella thelist UKof authorities.official Readtranslators generalhere.

Find guidancea onlawyer

You whatcan apply to doappoint whena someonelawyer diesin abroadcertain tocircumstances, findsuch outas whata tosuspicious do.

Contactingdeath. theSee Foreign,Find Commonwealtha &lawyer Developmentin OfficeSpain.

Cancel (FCDO)a passport

YouTo canavoid contactidentity fraud, the FCDOpassport ifof youthe needperson advice:

• inwho thedied UKshould callbe +44cancelled (0)20with 7008HM 5000
• seePassport howOffice to(HMPO). getTo helpdo fromthis, theyou UKneed governmentto abroadcomplete a D1 form

.

Disclaimer

ThisIf informationyou isplan notto meantrepatriate the person who died to bethe definitive,UK, noryou ismay itrequire their passport to bedo takenthis. asIn athese substitutecircumstances, foryou independentshould legalcancel advice. Neitherthe Hispassport Majesty’safter Governmentthey norhave itsbeen staffrepatriated.

Check takeyou anyhave responsibilitydone foreverything theyou accuracyneed ofto do in the information,UK

Check northis acceptstep-by-step liabilityguide for anywhen loss,someone costs,dies damageto ormake expensesure that you mighthave sufferdone aseverything ayou resultneed ofto relyingdo onin the information. SomeUK ofafter thesomeone informationhas maydied. notYou becan relevantfind toinformation youron circumstances. Thehow languageto usedtell isthe intendedgovernment toabout bethe generaldeath, UK pensions and factualbenefits and isdealing notwith meantthe toestate causeof offence.the person who died.