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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