How to obtain a Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen abroad

The documents that are required to obtain a Consular report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad are:

• The most recent U.S. passport, or other proof of citizenship; e.g. a naturalization certificate, a U.S. birth certificate, a consular Report of Birth,…
• The official death certificate issued by the local authorities;
• Medical certificate showing date and hour and cause of death, signed by the local physician. 

The following information will be required:

• The Social Security Number;
• The place of death: e.g. name and address of the hospital;
• The name and address of the next of kin;
• The name and address of the person who has custody of the belongings of the deceased;
• The disposal of the remains ( in case of burial: name of cemetery);
• The latest local address;
• The latest address in the United States.

Please make an online appointment for the issuance of a Report of Death. How to ship remains to the United States.

The documents that are required for shipment of remains are:

• The official Belgian death certificate issued by the local authorities;
• Consular Mortuary Certificate;
• Transit Permit from the Belgian Ministry of Public Health;
• Certificate of Embalming from the Institute of Thanatopraxy;
• Burial Permit issued by the local authorities;
• Permit for Transportation from local authorities;
• Medical certificate showing cause of death, signed by attending physician;
• Affidavit by undertaker.

The above documents are generally gathered by the undertaker.

How to send ashes to the United States

The following is required to send ashes to the United States:

Human ashes have to be transported in a sealed urn and have to be accompanied by a certificate, issued by the crematorium, stating

• that the urn contains nothing but human ashes;
• the name of the deceased.