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Contacting the insurance company聽

If the person who died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad if you鈥檙e not sure if they had insurance.听

The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Switzerland and the UK. They may also cover the cost of bringing the person鈥檚 body to the UK (repatriation) and help with any medical, legal, interpretation and translation fees.听

Registering the death聽

The death must be registered at the local Swiss registry office. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.听

You will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:聽

• birth certificate, showing their place of birth and parents鈥� names聽

• 谤别濒颈驳颈辞苍听

• official identity document (for example their British passport)聽

• spouse鈥檚 details (if applicable)聽

• marriage certificate (if applicable)聽

• divorce papers (if applicable)聽

• proof of residence聽

Getting a death certificate聽

After registering the death, you will get an international death certificate (Sterbeurkunde / Certificat de d茅c猫s鈥�/ Certificato di morte). The death certificate will show an English translation. Swiss death certificates do not give the cause of death. You can also apply for a copy of the death certificate using the .听

Post mortems in Switzerland聽

A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Switzerland if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent.听

The Coroner will take into account cultural or religious sensitivities. Coronial staff will often contact next of kin to explain the need for an autopsy and to inform them of the possible complications if one is not undertaken. In the case of a homicide the Coroners in Switzerland will proceed with an autopsy.听聽

Small tissue samples and organs may be removed for testing without the family鈥檚 permission. You will not automatically be told if this happens.听

If organs are removed, they will normally be returned before the person鈥檚 body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances body parts may be kept without permission. This might happen if further investigation is needed. The next of kin will be told if this happens.听

Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. Next of kin can apply for a copy of the report from the Public Prosecutor. If you have a they can apply for a copy.听

Potential organ donors in Switzerland must have a donor card, or they must have expressed their consent to organ removal in the event of death to their relatives while still alive.听

Burying or cremating the body in Switzerland聽

You need a to arrange a burial or cremation in Switzerland. Cantonal authorities allow for ashes to be scattered in publicly owned areas.鈥痀our funeral director can give you advice.听

You should not have the person cremated abroad if you want a coroner in England and Wales to conduct an inquest into their death. In Scotland, a further investigation may still be possible.听

Bringing the body to the UK聽

Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person鈥檚 body to the UK from Switzerland.听

When taking the person鈥檚 body to the UK from Switzerland you will need to:聽

• show the death certificate聽

• get permission to remove the person鈥檚 body, issued by a coroner聽

• show the passport of the person who died聽

Bringing the ashes to the UK聽

Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK.听

Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself聽

If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Switzerland, you will need:聽

• a certified copy of the death certificate.听

• a cremation certificate: this document is provided by the crematorium.听

• a certified copy of an entry of cremation: this is a special certificate required for taking ashes abroad聽

• to tell the airline in advance聽

• to notify customs upon arrival in the UK.听

• optional: a letter from the funeral home stating that the container holds only the cremated remains of the deceased聽

Your funeral director can give you more information.听

Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK聽

Ask your funeral director for advice if you cannot take the ashes yourself. You may not be able to send them by post or courier. Ashes can be shipped by air freight, although this can be expensive.听

Getting the person鈥檚 belongings back聽

Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the Swiss police.听

If you bring the person鈥檚 body to the UK, you can ask your local funeral director to collect all the belongings and transport them together.听

If they were a Swiss resident, you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get if this happens.听

Belongings may be kept as evidence if there is an investigation into the death. They will only be returned when the court case is over.听

Finding a Swiss translator聽

You may need a to help you understand Swiss rules or get documents translated. Check official . The embassy or consulate in Switzerland cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.听聽

Finding a Swiss lawyer聽

You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Swiss legal system when someone has died. Check . The embassy or consulate in Switzerland cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.听

Telling the UK authorities聽

Although you do not have to register the death in the UK, when someone dies abroad you still need to tell the UK authorities. Read general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad to find out what to do.听

Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)聽

You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:聽

• in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000聽

• see