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  4. What happens if you die overseas and how you can prepare

What happens if you die overseas and how you can prepare

Last Updated
Thursday, 14/11/2019

 

Death is something you probably don't want to think about. Especially when you're planning a trip overseas. However, dying overseas is always a possibility. Even for people who are fit and healthy. Sometimes, things just go wrong.

When an Australian dies overseas, their next of kin will probably experience more difficulties than if they'd died back home. Unfortunately, many Australians don't understand just how much more difficult it will be overseas, especially if they don't have travel insurance.

Read this page for information about:

  • what will happen if you die overseas
  • the impact on your next of kin if you die abroad
  • what you should do before you travel
  • travelling for euthanasia
  • the death penalty

This page is for Australians planning a trip. It covers general information about death overseas. If someone has passed away, see our information on what to do when someone has died overseas.

What happens if you die overseas

Local authorities determine the process of dealing with a person's death in their country. This covers legal aspects, such as investigating the death, and logistical aspects of what to do with the remains.

This means your next of kin must work within that countries local laws and regulation for dealing with death. These can vary greatly, and may not be in line with your will or your religious beliefs.

  • Local law enforcement may choose to investigate your death. They may conduct an autopsy, regardless of instructions in your will or religious beliefs.
  • If there's an investigation, law enforcement may interview your travel companions. They may not be allowed to leave the country until the investigation is complete.
  • Local authorities may decide how to deal with your remains without consulting your next of kin. They may have laws dictating only cremations or burials. The process could be very fast.
  • Your next of kin or travel companion may have to pay a bill to release your remains. This could be to the authorities, or to a local funeral director.
  • Your next of kin may have trouble returning your remains to Australia. They'll have to work with export regulations overseas, and quarantine regulations in Australia.

If you die on a cruise, there are other challenges and things to consider. See our general advice about going on a cruise.

Consular officials can provide limited guidance and support for your family. However, travel insurers have established processes in place to deal with a client's death. This helps reduce the impact on your loved ones during this difficult time.

Impact on your family if you die overseas

Loved ones face many challenges if you die overseas. It's much harder to organise a funeral in an unfamiliar country. They also have to navigate the local legal and administrative system.

They may also experience challenges bringing your remains home.

Then there's the financial impact. It can be very expensive for your next of kin, unless you have travel insurance.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help. See our fact sheet about death overseas. Also, read the Consular Services Charter.

What you should do before you travel

Before you go overseas, be prepared. This will help reduce the impact on your family during an already difficult time.

Get your affairs in order

  • Update your last will and testament. Leave a copy with your next of kin or lawyer.
  • Appoint someone as Power of Attorney.

Get travel insurance that covers death

It's your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance that covers death. Get travel insurance as soon as you start planning your trip. If you die, your insurer can help your family with logistics and costs.

  • Make sure your policy covers you for all destinations, activities and your health conditions.
  • Read the fine print before you buy. You need to be clear about the circumstances that are and aren't covered.
  • Ensure your coverage includes the repatriation of your remains, if this is your wish. This may not be possible, depending on how and where the death occurs.

If you're not properly covered and you die, your next of kin will be faced with all expenses related to your death.

Learn more about choosing travel insurance. Read the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide.

Going overseas for euthanasia (assisted suicide)

Euthanasia is illegal in many countries. If you're planning to go overseas to end your life through euthanasia, consider legal aspects of your plans. It can impact you and your next of kin.

In some countries, euthanasia is legal only in certain places and circumstances.

Ensure you comply with the local law. If you break the law, your family and friends could be found complicit in a crime. They could be arrested or jailed for your death.

Research the law in your destination before you go. You may need to consult your destination's embassy or consulate in Australia.

Death penalty

In some countries certain offences, such as carrying or using drugs, have harsh punishments. These include the death penalty.

We can't get you out of trouble if you break the law overseas. You'll be tried and sentenced under local law. See our information for Australians arrested or jailed overseas.

Learn more about the Australian Government's position on the death penalty. See information on Australia's Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty (DFAT).

Read more

  • Read our fact sheet about death overseas.
  • Before you go, get travel insurance.
  • See our advice for mature travellers and going on a cruise.
  • Learn about reducing your risk of death from infectious diseases.
  • You may be subject to the death penalty if you're arrested or jailed.
  • Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how and when we can help.

See also

  • Read the travel insurance buying guide (CHOICE).
  • See information on Australia's Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty (DFAT).
  • Read about voluntary assisted dying (Victorian Department of Health and Human Services).

 

Related content

Fact sheet: Death overseas

This brochure is designed to provide information to help you understand what consular staff in Australia and overseas can do to assist during this difficult time.

View details
Someone has died overseas

When death happens overseas it can be difficult. During this time, consular staff will do what we can to assist you. However, there are limits to our help.

View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

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Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
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      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
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      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement