Advice
to South African Citizens in the Event a South African Dies Abroad Introduction
/ What are the options for the next of kin of a deceased South
African? / Return of mortal remains to South Africa / Cremation
and the return of the ashes to South Africa / Local burial
/ Pauper's burial / Documentary Requirements:
Mortal Remains / Contacts Introduction
The
Department of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with its Representatives abroad,
provide logistical assistance and advice to the next of kin in the event of the
death of a South African citizen abroad.
The assistance includes: - obtaining
a permit for importing mortal remains from the Department of Health
- placing
family members into contact with reputable undertakers, and
- obtaining
quotes for the transportation of the mortal remains and/or cremation and/or local
burial, if so requested by the next of kin.
- information on local
conditions and procedures affecting the deceased. It should be borne in mind that
the manner in which someone dies can affect how the local authorities handle the
case.
In the event the deceased had travel insurance, it is recommended
that the insurer be contacted first to establish whether the deceased is covered
in case of death. The South African Government does not render any financial
assistance pertaining to the death of South African citizens abroad. The financial
transaction for the importation of mortal remains may only be done via a commercial
institution such as a bank. The money must be transferred directly to the undertaker
in the country concerned. What
are the options for the next of kin of a deceased South African?
It
is a shock to receive the news of the death of a loved one and usually the first
reaction is to bring back the mortal remains but this is not the only option.
The
South African Representative will assist with obtaining quotes to enable the next
of kin to make an informed decision. If using an undertaker it is important
to note that the rendering of services are subject to payment. Practice
differs from country to country and this will influence the process. The South
African Representative or the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide guidance. Return
of mortal remains to South Africa
When a body is returned there are strict
conditions for its transportation. The preparation of the mortal remains and the
transport costs make this the most expensive option. Before making any decision
in this regard, unless covered by travel insurance, the next of kin must get quotes
from undertakers in the foreign country. The South African Representative can
assist. The requirements for the transportation of mortal remains are:
-
Non-infectious mortal remains:
- The body must be embalmed. This must take
place within 24 hours. Not all countries have embalming facilities;
- The
body must be sealed in an airtight container and placed in a sturdy non-transparent
coffin;
- The import permit must be obtained prior to transportation.
-
Infectious mortal remains:
- The body must be placed in a polythene bag;
- The
body must be placed in a second polythene bag;
- The body must then be sealed
in an airtight container and placed in a sturdy non-transparent coffin;
- Under
no circumstances may the coffin be opened;
- A written statement from the
medical practitioner that the body will not constitute a danger to public health
and that the body is screened off according to regulation o R2438 of 30 October
1987, paragraphs 9 and 10 (Conveyance of bodies of persons who have died of communicable
diseases) must accompany the body at all times, together with the death certificate;
- The
import permit must be obtained prior to transportation.
The
South African Representative or undertaker must provide the following documentation
to the Department of Health before an import permit can be issued: - A
letter containing the name of the deceased; date of death; country of death; cause
of death; place of burial; telephone/fax numbers and area code.
- Embalming
certificate (if not possible due to religious reasons this must be stated);
- Letter
from attending pathologist or medical doctor to state that the deceased did not
suffer from an infectious disease at the time of death; OR
- If the deceased
did suffer from an infectious disease, a letter from the medical practitioner
indicating that the transportation will not constitute a danger to public health.
- All
documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
When
all the requirements are met the Department of Health issues an Import Permit
which accompanies the mortal remains to South Africa.
Cremation
and return of the ashes to South Africa The next of kin can opt for
a cremation and the return of the ashes. The undertaker in the foreign country
can render this service. The South African Representative can attend the cremation
if the next of kin wants a witness to the proceedings and are unable to attend
in person. Ashes are dealt with according to the local custom in the foreign
country. Local burial
The
next of kin can opt for burial in the foreign country. The undertaker in
the foreign country can render this service. The South African Representative
can attend the burial if the next of kin wants a witness to the proceedings and
are unable to attend in person. The exact location of the grave will be
provided to the next of kin. Pauper's
burial
If the next of kin cannot be traced or if they do not have
the financial means to consider any of the other options a pauper's burial can
be requested. The local authorities will then take the mortal remains of
the deceased and conduct a burial free of charge. The South African Representative
can attend the burial if the next of kin wants a witness to the proceedings and
are unable to attend in person. The exact location of the grave will be
provided to the next of kin. Once the next of kin made a decision, an
affidavit must be signed and forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs,
Chief Directorate Consular Services.
Documentary
Requirements: Mortal Remains
NO PERMIT IS NEEDED TO IMPORT
ASHES FOR A BODY THAT HAS BEEN CREMATED IMPORTATION OF MORTAL REMAINS DOCUMENTS
NEEDED FOR IMPORTATION (NON-INFECTIOUS): 1. Death Certificate 2. ID
document / Passport 3. Embalming Certificate 4. Letter from the family member
requesting importation 5. In the documents are not in English, a certified
translation must be attached 6. A covering letter from either the Embassy or
the undertaker that includes: - Name of deceased
- Date of death
- Cause
of death
- Country of death
- Place of burial
- Full contact
numbers including codes
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR IMPORTATION (INFECTIOUS): 1.
Death Certificate 2. ID document / Passport 3. Embalming Certificate 4.
Autopsy Report 5. Letter from family member requesting importation 6. If
the documents are not in English, a certified translation must be attached 7.
A covering letter from either the Embassy or the undertaker that includes: - Name
of deceased
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Country of death
- Place
of burial
- Full contact numbers including codes
EXPORTATION
OF MORTAL REMAINS DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR EXPORTATION (NON-INFECTIOUS): 1.
Letter from the Embassy accepting the body. (Import permit) 2. ID document
/ Passport 3. Death Certificate 4. Embalming Certificate 5. Letter from
the family member requesting exportation. 6. In the documents are not in English,
a certified translation must be attached 7. A covering letter from either the
Embassy or the undertaker that includes: - Name of deceased
- Date
of death
- Cause of death
- Country of death
- Place of burial
- Full
contact numbers including codes
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR EXPORTATION
(INFECTIOUS): 1. Embalming Certificate 2. Death Certificate 3. ID
document / Passport 4. Letter from family member requesting exportation 5.
If the documents are not in English, a certified translation must be attached 6.
A covering letter from either the Embassy or the undertaker that includes: - Name
of deceased
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Country of death
- Place
of burial
- Full contact numbers including codes
TRANSIT
THROUGH SOUTH AFRICA - MORTAL REMAINS DOCUMENTS NEEDED TRANSIT THROUGH
SOUTH AFRICA: 1. ID document / Passport 2. Death Certificate 3. Embalming
Certificate 4. Letter from the family member requesting importation 5. In
the documents are not in English, a certified translation must be attached 6.
A covering letter from either the Embassy or the undertaker that includes: - Name
of deceased
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Country of death
- Place
of burial
- Full contact numbers including codes
EXHUMATION
AND IMPORTATION/ EXPORTATION OF MORTAL REMAINS DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR
EXHUMATION AND EXPORTATION: 1. ID document / Passport 2. Death Certificate 3.
Embalming Certificate 4. Letter from the family member requesting importation 5.
In the documents are not in English, a certified translation must be attached 6.
A covering letter from either the Embassy or the undertaker that includes: - Name
of deceased
- Date of death
- Cause of death
- Country of death
- Place
of burial
- Full contact numbers including codes
DOCUMENTS
NEEDED FOR EXHUMATION AND IMPORTATION: 1. Covering letter from either the
Embassy/ Undertaker, this must include: - Name of Deceased
- Date
of Death
- Place of Burial
- Place of Reburial (including grave
numbers)
- Full contact numbers including correct codes for phone and
fax
2. Death Certificate (If body is over 20 years in grave, no
death certificate is required) 3. Letter from a family member requesting
exhumation 4. If graves are on private owned ground, a letter of permission
from the owner to allow the burial or exhumation of the body, is needed. Or permission
must be granted from the relevant authority e.g. cemetery master, District Municipality
of Health Province. UNKNOWN GRAVE / GRAVES: Request from company
/ undertaker must include: 1. Place of grave 2. Copies of the newspaper
advertisement advertising the discovery of the graves (the ad must run for two
weeks) 3. Place of reburial 4. If graves are on private owned ground, a
letter of permission from the ground owner to allow the burial or exhumation of
the body / bodies, is needed 5. Full contact number including correct codes DOCUMENTS
NEEDED FOR EXHUMATION AND CREMATION: 1. ID document / Passport 2. Death
Certificate 3. Letter from the family member requesting exhumation and cremation 4.
If the grave is on owned ground, a letter of permission from the ground owner
to allow exhumation of the body. Or permission must be granted from the relevant
authority e.g. cemetery master, District Municipality of Health Province. 5.
In the documents are not in English, a certified translation must be attached 6.
A covering letter from the undertaker must include: - Name of deceased
- Date
of death
- Cause of death
- Place of burial (including grave number)
- Full
contact numbers including codes
CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE NATIONAL
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH National Department of Health Directorate: Environmental
Health Telephone: 012 312 3261 Fax: 012 312 3181 e-mail: helmc@health.gov.za After
Hours Contact Numbers: 084 460 6000 082 303 8466
Contacts South
African Representatives abroad Department of Foreign Affairs, Chief
Directorate Consular Services.
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