The death of a loved one overseas can involve complex organisation for repatriation back to Australia to arrange a funeral service.

Overseas  –  The processes involved can be demanding for family and friends at a time when they are already stressed.  The Australian Government will do what it can to assist families, however there are legal and practical limits as to what the government can do on your behalf.

The Australian Government can –

  • Assist family and friends to understand the legal and administrative processes that apply in that country
  • Provide a list of local funeral directors and lawyers in the overseas country
  • Liaise with the local funeral director so they are aware of Australian quarantine regulations
  • Provide advice on how family and friends can obtain translations if an English-speaking funeral service company is not available
  • Advise on the estimated cost of a local burial, local cremation or transport of the deceased back to Australia
  • Advise on how to transfer funds from Australia to meet any costs
  • Assist, if necessary, to identify the body
  • Assist with obtaining quarantine clearance for the return of the deceased
  • Provide advice on managing media enquiries

The Australian Government cannot –

  • Recommend a funeral director or lawyer in the overseas country
  • Investigate the death of an Australian citizen in an overseas country
  • Provide translation or interpreter services
  • Pay burial or cremation expenses
  • Pay for, or organise, the return of the deceased to Australia
  • Take responsibility for freighting personal effects
  • Make legal representations or become involved in legal issues surrounding the circumstances of the death or matters relating to a deceased estate
  • Pay any outstanding debts the deceased may have

For more information please visit the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website.

When a death has occurred overseas, your chosen funeral director in Australia will liaise with the funeral director in the overseas location, on your behalf.  They will prepare the necessary forms, paperwork and coordinate the mode of transport to collect the deceased on their arrival in Australia.  In the event of a death occurring overseas, the death must be registered in the country where the death occurred.

Interstate – If a family member or friend passes away in another state, your chosen funeral director will liaise with the interstate funeral director, on your behalf.  They will prepare the necessary forms, paperwork and coordinate the mode of transport to bring the deceased interstate. The law states that the death has to be recorded in the state that the death occurred. The deceased can be repatriated interstate with the ‘Cause of Death Certificate’ issued by a doctor. Please note that the ‘Cause of Death Certificate’ is different to the ‘Death Certificate’ issued by the State or Territory’s office of Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Repatriating a deceased person to an overseas country – Should you wish to send your family member back to their homeland, you may want to contact several funeral directors to compare fees.  There will be a greater variation in costs compared to a more local funeral, due to the complexity of making the necessary arrangements.

The funeral director will liaise with the appropriate Australian Government Departments as well as the Consulate General of your native homeland.

If you require the services of a ‘Funeral Director’, please use our Business Search facility.