What to do When Someone Dies in Spain: A Guide for Expats

Introduction:

Losing a loved one is a difficult time, and if you’re an expat in Spain, it’s essential to know the necessary steps to take when someone passes away. This guide will provide you with clear instructions on what to do if a death occurs in Spain and help you navigate the process smoothly.

1. Death in a Hospital:
2. When someone dies in a hospital, the medical staff will handle most of the arrangements, including contacting a funeral parlor. If you have specific preferences or funeral plans, it’s crucial to inform the hospital staff. Otherwise, they will contact a local funeral parlor from their roster of companies.
3. Death Outside a Hospital:
4. If the person passes away outside a hospital, here’s what you need to do:
   • Call the emergency number 112 or 092.
   • Contact a doctor, and they will certify the cause of death and issue a death certificate.
   • A funeral parlor will be contacted to remove the body. If you have a funeral plan, notify the company. Otherwise, the doctor or police will arrange for a funeral parlor.
   • The funeral parlor will guide you through the process from there.

5. Autopsy Requirements in Spain:
6. In Spain, an autopsy is mandatory in the following cases:

1. • Accidental death.
   • Death without medical attendance.
   • When ordered by a Judge.

7. Registering the Death:
8. To officially register the death, you must take the death certificate to the local Civil Registry. The registration includes the date, time, and location of the death. It’s typically done within 24 hours at the local civil register office, usually located at the town hall or courts.
9. Who Can Register the Death:
10. While funeral parlors usually handle the registration, anyone with knowledge of the death can make the registration.
11. Burial or Cremation:
12. Once the death is registered, you can proceed with the burial or cremation. Under normal circumstances, a burial license will be issued, allowing you to proceed with the arrangements. The funeral parlor will assist you in organizing the burial or cremation, ensuring everything is taken care of.
13. Consider Informing the Consulate:
14. If the deceased person resided in Spain, it’s recommended to inform the consulate. They can provide support and assistance during this challenging time.
15. Funeral Procedures in Spain:
16. In Spain, it is customary to conduct the burial or cremation within 24 to 48 hours after death, although this can be extended by arranging it with the morgue. If the deceased has expressed specific religious or personal preferences, it’s important to honor their wishes. Burial or internment is the most common choice, but cremation can be requested.
17. Burial/Interment Process in Spain:
18. Burials in Spain may happen faster compared to the U.K. Here are some general guidelines:

1. • Embalmed bodies must be buried within 96 hours.
   • Bodies preserved temporarily must be buried within 72 hours.
   • Unembalmed bodies must be buried within 48 hours, but not before 24 hours have passed.
   • In case of contagious disease, immediate burial is necessary.

Cremation in Spain is possible.

However, specific regulations must be followed. A written authorization for cremation, either signed by the deceased in advance or provided by the next of kin, must be presented to the local authorities. If this authorization is not available, local burial or embalming should take place within 48 hours. It’s advisable to include your desire for cremation in your Spanish will.

Where to Obtain a Death Certificate in Spain?

Normally, the funeral parlour will provide you with the death certificates approximately five or six days after the death. They will give you two or three Spanish certificates and a couple of international ones. For more information about the processing times for death certificates in Spain, please click

In case the funeral parlour doesn’t provide the death certificates, you can obtain them yourself from the civil register, and they are free of charge.

Once you receive the copies of the death certificate (these copies are considered originals as they bear the stamp from the civil register), you will need to send one or two copies to the lawyer who will handle the probate process in Spain on your behalf.

You will receive three Spanish certificates and three international ones. Send the Spanish certificates to the lawyer and keep the international ones for use in the U.K. or any other country.

Are There Different Types of Death Certificates in Spain?

Yes, the funeral parlour issues two types of death certificates: Spanish certificates and international certificates.

What if the Death Certificate Doesn’t Contain the Cause of Death?

You can request the cause of death at the hospital where the person passed away.

Who Is Responsible for Paying the Funeral Parlour in Spain?

There are three possibilities for payment:

1. Payment by the family.
2. No payment required if the deceased person had a funeral plan, and you are dealing directly with the insurance company.
3. The estate can pay using funds from the deceased person’s account. To arrange this, contact the solicitor who will handle the probate process. They can explain the payment process to the funeral parlour.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Spain?

The total cost for the full funeral service, as explained above, typically ranges from 2,500 to 4,500 euros.
Is Immediate Payment Required to the Funeral Parlour?

If the deceased had funds in their account and there is a will with a local solicitor, the solicitor can usually help organize payment directly from the estate’s account to the funeral parlour. Put the solicitor and the funeral parlour in contact to facilitate the payment process.

Repatriation of the Body:

If the deceased or their next of kin requests repatriation of the body to the country of origin, this must be communicated to the attending doctor while completing the death certificate.
When repatriating a body, the passport should be kept with the body as it cannot cross international borders or fly without it.

Repatriation may be covered by travel or life insurance. If that’s the case, the insurance company will make the necessary arrangements.

Alternatively, a body can be cremated in Spain, and the ashes can be flown to the home country. The ashes must be accompanied by a certificate.

By providing this information, we aim to assist expats seeking guidance on what to do when someone dies in Spain. If you need further assistance or have specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Conclusions:

When dealing with the death of a loved one in Spain, there are three key things you should keep in mind:

1. If the person passes away in a hospital, the hospital staff will usually contact a funeral parlour on your behalf, and the funeral parlour will take over from that point. However, if the deceased had a funeral plan or you prefer to use a specific funeral parlour, it’s important to contact them directly and inform the hospital of your choice.
2. In the unfortunate event of a death at home, immediately contact the police at 092, and they will handle the necessary arrangements. If you have a preferred doctor or funeral parlour, you can contact them directly; otherwise, the police will assist you in making the necessary arrangements.
3. Contact your solicitor in Spain to handle the probate process and provide them with the necessary information to liaise with the funeral parlour.

By following these three steps, you can ensure that the necessary arrangements are made during this difficult time.

For expatriates seeking advice on what to do when someone dies in Spain, these guidelines provide a clear and concise path to follow. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Useful contact details:

Lawyer to handle the inheritance procedure: Michael Davies/Abogado. We have been handling inheritance procedures for ex-pats all over Spain since 1994. michaeldavies@daviessolicitors.com

Emergencies: 092 or 112  This is the number to call if somebody dies outside a hospital.

Funeral parlours:

Mojacar: Funeraria Maria Luisa Perez en Mojacar: tel. 950478102 and mobile 630949982

Marbella:  Costa funeral services   tel: 951315020

Malaga:  https://www.grupoasvserviciosfunerarios.com/en

Almeria city: Grupo ASV

Alicante: https://www.grupoasvserviciosfunerarios.com/en

Spanish Inheritance lawyers-

Michael Davies from Davies Abogados Solicitors & Barristers. 25 years experience handling inheritance all over Spain.

List of Consulates:

British Consulate

Irish Consulate.

U.S.A. consulate.

Australian consulate.

Canadian consulate.