Death outside Canada

This page explains what to do if you are the next of kin or representative of a Canadian who has died outside Canada.

What to do first

Identify a representative for the deceased, either in Canada or in the country where the death took place, to act as a point of contact for local authorities and Government of Canada officials. If possible, this person should have the required documentation, such as the deceased’s will and any powers of attorney.
Notify the deceased person’s insurance provider and make sure that you follow their instructions to avoid unnecessary delays or complications. Review the insurance policy to understand requirements and allowances for the preparation and return of your remains, local cremation or burial outside Canada, and any additional expenses should a family representative need to travel to identify the body of the deceased.
Find a funeral home in the country where the death took place that is experienced in international funeral arrangements. The funeral home will help you with arrangements in both countries if you decide to have the funeral in Canada.
Determine which federal programs and departments must be informed, depending on the deceased person’s situation and place of residence.
Cancel the deceased’s benefits, including Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, tax-related payments, personal identification and Social Insurance Number.
Find out what to do with the deceased’s documents, including their Canadian passport and Social Insurance Number card.
Consult the “Laws and culture” section of our Travel Advice and Advisories for the country where the death occurred to find out if there are specific local regulations you need to observe.
Check with the government of the country where the death occurred to determine what next steps are required, especially if the deceased was living there and receiving benefits or had local documentation that may require further action.
- List of foreign representatives in Canada

Expect delays

Each country has different policies, procedures and local laws that apply when a foreigner dies in its jurisdiction. Timelines may often be longer than in Canada and delays can occur at any time.

Documentation

You must obtain an official death certificate from the authorities in the country where the death occurred.

The funeral home chosen in the country where the death occurred may be able to obtain the official death certificate and register the death according to local laws. 
You should ask for several copies of the death certificate as it may be required at a number of stages.
If the death certificate is not in English or French, it must be translated.
Some countries will require the death certificate to be authenticated by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the funeral arrangements are carried out. It may also need to be authenticated by the nearest Canadian government office abroad if it is needed for insurance or for the repatriation of the remains.
Delays in obtaining an official death certificate can occur for various reasons, especially when autopsies and toxicology reports are required.
Some countries will require that Canadian documents, such as the deceased’s long form birth certificate and Canadian marriage certificate, be legalized there before the remains can be released to the funeral home and for the next of kin or representative to claim the remains.

Documentation needed to transport remains

To be transported internationally, the remains of the deceased person must be accompanied by a copy of the death certificate that includes the cause of death. Other documents may be required, depending on the country of origin and the destination of the remains. These may include:

The cancelled passport of the deceased
Cremation or embalming certificate
Letter from the sending funeral service provider
Registration of Death
Permit to Transfer
Letter confirming that the deceased did not carry communicable diseases at the time of death

The funeral service provider in the country where the person died is responsible for verifying the requirements.

Check with the airline or other transport carrier to find out if they need any specific documentation.

Funeral arrangements

Decide whether the remains of the deceased will be returned to Canada or buried or cremated in the country where the death occurred. Some countries do not allow cremation, and many have strict time limits on the cremation and burial process. The cause of death could also affect whether cremation is allowed in some countries.

Consular officers at the nearest Canadian government office abroad can give you information on the local procedures.

The local funeral home will provide options for burial or cremation.

Repatriating remains to Canada

Consider local limitations. Some countries may have few or no facilities for embalming and preparing remains for transportation.
Be aware of the rules and processes for returning remains to Canada. See the Canada Border Services Agency’s Importation and exportation of human remains and other human tissues for details.
Find qualified funeral homes in Canada and in the country where the death occurred as you will require their help to repatriate the remains of the deceased person to Canada.
Airline regulations may vary for the repatriation of remains. You should not expect to travel on the same plane as the remains when they are being repatriated.

Timelines

The date of the funeral service in Canada should only be determined after the remains have arrived and have cleared Canadian customs. Several factors could delay the return of the remains to Canada.

The time required to repatriate remains can vary greatly and depends on a number of factors, including the procedures in the country where the death occurred and the cause of death.

Transporting cremated remains by air

Check with the airline you plan to use. Not all airlines will transport cremated remains, and some may only transport them using their cargo service.
Make sure that the funeral home provides you with a temporary container to transport the remains that meets the airport security requirements for the departure and receiving countries. The container must be able to clear the X-ray machine at airport security and be permitted past the checkpoints. If in doubt, check with airport authorities.
Notify the airline in advance to ensure you have proper documentation. This may include copies of the death and cremation certificates.
If you are carrying cremated remains on board an aircraft and are transiting in a Canadian airport, visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s Cremated Remains page.

Costs

It can be very expensive to repatriate remains back to Canada and, depending on the circumstances of the death, it may take a long time. In many cases, the funeral home in the country where the person died will require a payment guarantee or payment upfront before starting the process.

The costs of interpretation or translation services for documents or a ceremony overseas can add up.

All costs related to a death abroad and the repatriation of remains are the responsibility of the deceased’s next of kin or estate. If the deceased had insurance, it may cover the costs directly or you may have to make the payments and be reimbursed later.

If the next of kin or the estate cannot pay, final arrangements will be at the discretion of the host nation. This may include burial in a common grave, or donation of the remains to an educational facility.

The Government of Canada assumes no responsibility for the final arrangements of deceased Canadians.

If you need help

Contact us to inform us of the death and find out how we can help you. You may not need to travel to the country where the death occurred. Consular officials can help you understand the processes. They can also:

Help notify the deceased’s next of kin, if required.
Provide advice on how to get in touch with the appropriate authorities (police, hospital, morgue and coroner), or contact them on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
- The authorities can help you find the location of the remains and the circumstances surrounding the death.
- They can also help you obtain the appropriate documentation, including death certificates, autopsy and police reports, and documentation for insurance companies, if necessary.
Help to identify the remains of a Canadian citizen if you, family members, friends or local authorities are not able to do so.
Provide a list of laboratory facilities offering forensic identification services (DNA, dental records, fingerprints).
Provide a list of local funeral service providers.
Authenticate the local death certificate for insurance or repatriation purposes after it has been authenticated by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if required.
Help with funds transfers if urgent financial assistance is required and all other options have been exhausted.
Help you if you have questions about, or need service related to, the passport of the deceased person.

While there is a lot we can do to help, Canadian government offices abroad will not:

Pay for the burial, cremation or repatriation of the remains of a deceased Canadian citizen
Intervene in private legal matters
Translate documents
Provide legal advice
Investigate or intervene in a local investigation
Assist with the deceased’s personal effects
Act as, or designate a third party to act as, or on behalf of, the next of kin

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