If a British citizen or member of the British Armed Forces dies abroad, a death certificate is issued by the relevant authorities in the country concerned. This document is usually acceptable for all official purposes although it may need to be translated into English, as appropriate.
Thurrock Council is not automatically notified or sent copy certificates. Additionally, the death can often be registered at the request of the deceased family, by the British Consul or High Commission in the country where it happened. If the person was a serving member of the British Armed Forces, his or her commanding officer can also request it. A British Armed Forces registration, as long as it takes place within 12 months, may be made by the Forces Registering Officer.
If you would like to arrange for a death that has taken place overseas to be registered with the British authorities or have any further queries, please contact the General Register Office's Overseas Section or get in touch with:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Consular Division
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
+44 (0) 20 7 008 0186
www.fco.gov.uk
If a death occurs abroad, the death should be registered according to the local regulations of that country and a Death Certificate should be obtained. To bring a body back to England or Wales you will need either the Death Certificate or an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country of death by someone authorised to do so.
To arrange a funeral in England and Wales you will need:
To arrange a cremation, a cremation order from the Home Office or a form E from the coroner will be required. If the death was from natural causes, the Home Office will require the following documentation:
If the death was not natural it will be referred to the coroner who will open an inquest to investigate the cause and circumstances of death.
There is no restriction on moving bodies within England and Wales, but you need to notify the coroner for the district in which the body is lying if you want to move the deceased to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or overseas. Names and telephone numbers of coroners are listed in your local phone book.
To do this you will need a form 104 (Form of notice to a coroner of intention to remove a body out of England) which can be obtained from the Coroner's Office. Funeral directors will also be able to advise. You will need to give the form 104 to the coroner and enclose any certificate for burial or cremation already issued.
The coroner will acknowledge receipt of your notice and let you know when the body can be moved - this is usually four clear days from when your notice was received. In urgent situations, it may be possible to bring this forward.
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