What to Do First When Someone Dies Abroad

The First 48 Hours

Nothing about the international legal process needs to happen right now. No court filings, no tax forms, no bank notifications. The first 48 hours are about three things: the body, the property, and the paperwork trail.

That distinction matters because the administrative anxiety of an international death can feel overwhelming. Knowing what doesn't need your attention yet lets you focus on what does.

Contact the Local Embassy or Consulate

If a US citizen dies abroad, the nearest US embassy or consulate should be your first call. Consular officers can help confirm the death, notify family members, provide lists of local funeral directors and attorneys, and assist with the logistics of returning remains.

The local authority issues the local death certificate, which is the foundational document for everything that follows. Ask the consulate which office handles registration and how to obtain certified copies.

For UK citizens, contact the British consulate. For Canadians, the closest Canadian consular office. Every country maintains emergency consular services for citizens who die abroad.

Secure the Deceased's Property

If the deceased owned or rented property in the foreign country, secure it immediately. This means changing locks if you're able to, notifying the landlord or property manager, and documenting the contents with photographs. If the property contains valuables — art, jewelry, cash, important documents — you need someone physically present and trustworthy to safeguard them.

If no family member can travel to the property, the consulate may be able to recommend a local attorney or property management service. Don't leave this for weeks — vacant property attracts attention, and insurance coverage may lapse if the insurer isn't notified of the death promptly.

Register the Death Locally

The death must be registered in the country where it occurred, following that country's procedures. The local authority or funeral director can tell you whether a family member needs to attend a civil registry office and the applicable deadline.

Order multiple certified copies of the foreign death certificate. Many banks, courts, and government agencies request them. Ten copies is a reasonable starting point for an international estate; 15 is better.

If you also need the death recorded in the deceased's home country, check whether that country offers a separate overseas-death registration process.

Repatriating Remains

Bringing the body home may involve paperwork such as:

• Embalming or preparation if required by the origin, transit, or destination rules
• A zinc-lined or hermetically sealed casket if required by the destination country or carrier
• A mortuary certificate from the local funeral director confirming the body is free from infectious disease
• An exit permit from the country where the death occurred
• An apostilled or legalized death certificate for customs and transport authorities
• Consular mortuary certificate from the home country's embassy

International funeral repatriation companies specialize in coordinating these logistics. The consulate can provide referrals. Costs typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the distance and the countries involved.

Some families choose a local funeral or cremation instead. If the deceased expressed preferences in their will or advance directive, honor those. Cremation is simpler logistically — cremated remains can usually be transported by air without the same regulatory requirements as a full body.

What Can Wait

Foreign bank notifications, asset transfers, and foreign court filings are not first-hours tasks. Begin primary probate and the global asset list during the first month, then map country-specific filing and registration deadlines. For US-situs assets of a nonresident non-citizen, Form 706-NA is due nine months after death; a six-month extension can be requested with Form 4768 before the original deadline. FBAR and Form 3520 have separate deadlines, and local registration requirements may be earlier.

Don't let anyone rush you into making financial or legal decisions in the first weeks. Ask for written deadlines and requirements, and avoid making decisions under acute grief.

The International Estate toolkit separates the first-week physical tasks from the months-long legal and financial administration, so you can pace the process without missing real deadlines.