Death Abroad

Reporting a death

To report the death of a Canadian citizen out of the country, you can contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad or our Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

You should register the death according to local regulations and obtain a death certificate from the proper authorities. You may need a local death certificate (authenticated and translated if necessary by officials at the nearest Canadian government office abroad) in order to register the death with the Vital Statistics Office of the Canadian province or territory where the deceased last resided. A fee is charged for each consular service provided. Consult our Consular Fees section for details.

Repatriating the remains

Returning the remains of a loved one to Canada requires the assistance of qualified funeral homes both in Canada and in the country where the death occurred. You must confirm whether any travel health insurance purchased by the deceased will cover the preparation and repatriation of the remains to Canada or, alternatively, cremation or local burial. You may contact us for assistance.  

The amount of time required for the repatriation of remains can vary greatly and is determined by a number of factors, including the location and cause of death.

Government assistance

Consular officials can:

  • Assist with the repatriation of remains to Canada at the earliest possible time.
  • Assist in obtaining appropriate documentation, including a death certificate, an autopsy report and police reports where applicable. Official reports are released or obtained through formal channels at the discretion of local authorities.
  • Assist in obtaining information from local authorities on the circumstances surrounding the death.
  • Assist in obtaining information on police investigations, arrests and court proceedings.
  • Assist in obtaining the necessary documentation for insurance companies to facilitate the payment or investigation of claims.
  • Begin the process of notification of next of kin.

Consular officials cannot:

  • Use the Distressed Canadian Fund to repatriate remains.
  • Intervene in private legal matters.
  • Translate official documents for the family.
  • Provide legal advice on issues such as estate law.

All costs related to the repatriation of remains and personal belongings must be borne by the client or applicable insurance company. See Financial Assistance for further information.