What to do in the event of a death abroad: procedures and repatriation

The death of a loved one abroad confronts families with a particularly distressing situation. Added to the emotions of bereavement are complex administrative procedures in a country often unfamiliar, with rules different from those of Switzerland.

Whether during a holiday, a professional stay or expatriation, a death abroad requires swift action. Families must contact local authorities, notify the Swiss consulate, gather numerous documents and organise the repatriation of the body or funeral arrangements locally.

Questions come thick and fast: who should I contact first? What documents are necessary? How much does repatriation cost? Does my insurance cover these costs? What are the expected timescales?

This practical guide accompanies you through all the stages, from the certification of death to the return to Switzerland. You will find the official procedures to complete, the required documents, estimated costs and essential contacts. Even though procedures vary according to country, the main principles remain similar.

Once repatriation has been completed and formalities accomplished, you will be able to continue with the procedures in Switzerland to honour the memory of your loved one.

First steps locally after the death

When a death occurs abroad, the first hours are crucial. Your priority: have the death officially certified by the local authorities.

Contact immediately:

Local emergency services (police, hospital)
A local doctor to establish the certification of death
The healthcare establishment if the death occurred in hospital

The doctor will issue a local death certificate, an essential document for all subsequent procedures. Keep all original documents carefully and make several copies.

Note all the details: time, place, circumstances of the death. This information will be requested several times by different authorities.

Contacting the Swiss consulate or embassy

As soon as possible, contact the Swiss consulate or embassy in the country where the death occurred. They are your first official point of contact.

The consulate does not repatriate the body, but plays an essential role in guidance and advice. They will help you to:

Understand the specific local procedures
Obtain the necessary documents
Make contact with local repatriation companies
Communicate with the country's authorities

Consulates have emergency numbers accessible 24 hours a day. Prepare the deceased's passport, your identity document and the local death certificate before calling.

Necessary documents and administrative formalities

The repatriation of a body requires complete and rigorous documentation. Each country applies its own rules, but certain documents are universally required.

The local authorities and the consulate will tell you precisely which documents to gather. The process may seem complex, but following each step methodically greatly facilitates the procedures.

Allow time to obtain certain documents, particularly official translations and legalisations. Plan ahead by requesting several certified true copies of each document.

Foreign death certificate and translation

The death certificate issued in the foreign country must be translated into French (or German/Italian depending on your canton) by a sworn translator.

Depending on the country, this document requires an apostille (for countries signatory to the Hague Convention) or consular legalisation. The Swiss consulate will tell you the applicable procedure.

This translated and legalised certificate will then be required to register the death in Switzerland and obtain a Swiss death certificate, essential for all subsequent administrative procedures.

Authorisation for transport of body

The authorisation for transport of body (or burial permit abroad) is issued by the health authorities of the country of death. Without this document, no repatriation is possible.

This document certifies that the body has been prepared according to international health standards. Depending on destinations and regulations, the body must be:

Embalmed (thanatopraxis)
Placed in a hermetically sealed and regulation coffin
Accompanied by a health certificate

These preparations are carried out by approved local funeral companies.

Organising the repatriation of the body

The repatriation of the body is generally handled by companies specialising in international funeral transport. The consulate can recommend reliable local service providers.

Air transport is the preferred method for almost all repatriations. The body travels in the hold in a hermetically sealed coffin compliant with IATA standards.

Repatriation stages:

Choice of a repatriation company
Preparation of the body according to standards
Flight booking and logistical coordination
Transport to the departure airport
Reception at the arrival airport in Switzerland

Choose a company that coordinates the entire process, from local collection to delivery in Switzerland.

Repatriation costs and coverage

The repatriation of a body represents a significant financial cost. Prices vary considerably depending on distance, country and local formalities.

Before incurring costs, check your insurance coverage without fail. Many policies include repatriation insurance which can cover all or part of the costs.

Always request a detailed quotation before committing to a repatriation company. Hidden costs can quickly accumulate.

Estimation of repatriation costs

The repatriation costs vary according to several factors:

Indicative ranges:

Europe: 2,000 to 5,000 CHF
Intercontinental: 5,000 to 15,000 CHF or more
Distant or complex destinations: up to 20,000 CHF

Factors influencing the price:

Distance and destination
Preparation of the body (embalming, hermetically sealed coffin)
Local administrative complexity
Timescales (urgency = additional cost)
Local ground transport

These amounts do not include funeral costs in Switzerland.

Insurance and possible coverage

Repatriation insurance can considerably reduce the financial cost. Check your existing coverage:

Travel insurance (often included)
Premium credit card (Visa Platinum, Mastercard Gold, etc.)
Supplementary health insurance
Life or death insurance

Contact your insurer immediately after the death. Declaration deadlines are strict (generally 24-48 hours).

Warning: Some causes of death may not be covered (extreme sports, undeclared pre-existing conditions). Read the general conditions carefully.

Timescales and practical aspects of repatriation

An international repatriation generally takes between 5 and 10 days, sometimes longer depending on circumstances.

Factors extending timescales:

Weekends and public holidays (local and Swiss)
Administrative complexity of the country
Flight availability
Time required to obtain documents
Translations and legalisations

During this time, the body is kept in an approved local mortuary or funeral home. Storage costs are generally charged per day.

Stay in regular contact with the repatriation company and the consulate to follow the progress of the procedures.

Alternative to repatriation: funeral locally

Organising the funeral in the country of death constitutes an alternative to repatriation, with advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Advantages:

Significantly reduced costs
Shorter timescales
Simplified procedure

Disadvantages:

Family and loved ones far away
Language and cultural barriers
Unfamiliarity with local practices
Logistical difficulties for relatives

Cremation locally with repatriation of the ashes is often an interesting compromise. The transport of an urn is much simpler and more economical (a few hundred francs). The ashes can travel in the cabin with a relative.

The consulate can direct you to reliable local funeral directors.

After repatriation: procedures in Switzerland

Once the body has been repatriated to Switzerland, new administrative procedures await you.

Essential stages:

Register the death with the civil registry office of your commune
Obtain the Swiss death certificate
Choose a funeral director to organise the funeral
Publish an obituary to inform those around you

For the registration with the civil registry, you will need to present the foreign death certificate translated and legalised.

Consult our guide to the first steps after a death and our article on administrative formalities for complete guidance. Publish an obituary online for 180 CHF to inform your loved ones simply.

The death of a loved one abroad adds a complex administrative dimension to an already difficult time. The procedures are numerous: contact the Swiss consulate quickly, gather the necessary documents, obtain transport authorisations and organise repatriation. Costs can be high, but travel and repatriation insurance often offer significant coverage.

Whether you opt for repatriation or a funeral locally, the essential thing is to take the necessary time to honour the memory of your loved one with dignity. Once back in Switzerland, the administrative procedures continue, but you are not alone in this ordeal.

To inform your loved ones and the community of the death, publish an obituary online on Wolky. Simple, accessible 24/7 and at a fixed price of 180 CHF, our platform allows you to create a dignified memorial space and easily share information with those around you, wherever they may be.

What to do in the event of a death abroad: procedures and repatriation

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