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’re not sure if they had insurance.
The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Kazakhstan and the UK. They may also cover the cost of bringing the person’s body to the UK (repatriation) and help with any medical, legal, interpretation and translation fees.
Registering the death
The death must be registered at a registry office in Kazakhstan. Your funeral director can normally do this for you using a notarised power of attorney.
If the person who died was a resident and had local Individual Identification Number (IIN), and you have a digital signature, the death can be registered online on the eGov.kz website.
Alternatively, you can apply for death registration at the Public Services Centre (ЦОН).
You will need the following information and documents relating to the person who has died:
- their full name, date of birth, marital status, date and cause of death, and last place of residence, to complete the application form
- their identity document (for example, a British passport). If this is not available, you will need to explain why in the application form
- a medical certificate of death (form 045/у) issued by a mortuary, medical institution or forensic facility
- a court decision that has entered into legal force, if the death was confirmed by a court
- your identity document
- if the family relationship cannot be established from surnames alone, a document proving close kinship, such as a birth or marriage certificate
Documents that are not in Kazakh or Russian will need to be accompanied by a notarised translation.
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate in Kazakh and Russian languages. You can obtain a notarised English translation from a public notary. If required, you can also apply for a legalisation (apostille).
Death certificates issued in Kazakhstan do not include the cause of death. If you require extra copies of the death certificate, or if the original has been lost, you can apply for a duplicate and explain the reason for your request.
Post-mortems in Kazakhstan
A post-mortem is a medical examination of the body. It may be carried out in Kazakhstan if the cause of death is unknown, or if the death was sudden, unnatural or violent.
If the person was under medical supervision before their death and the police confirm there are no signs of a violent death, you may submit a written request to refuse a post-mortem examination. In these circumstances, the cause of death may be established from the person’s medical history and diagnosis, and a medical death certificate may be issued without a post-mortem.
In most cases, a post-mortem is carried out within 24 hours, after which the body can be released for burial or repatriation. If there is an ongoing investigation into an unnatural death, the authorities may require the body to remain in the mortuary for longer.
Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. Small tissue samples or organs may be removed for testing without the family’s consent, and you will not automatically be informed if this happens.
If organs are removed during a post-mortem, they will usually be returned before the body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances, organs or tissue may be retained without the family’s permission if further investigation is required. You will not automatically be informed if this happens.
A post-mortem results in a medical certificate of death (form № 045/у). The certificate is issued in Kazakh and Russian and includes the deceased’s personal details, the pathologist’s findings, and the cause of death.
Full post-mortem reports are not usually provided to the next of kin. If required, you or your lawyer can apply for a copy. A detailed forensic report may be expected within 30 days, but in practice it can take up to two months to be issued.
Burying or cremating the body in Kazakhstan
It is not required, but it may be more convenient if you appoint a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Kazakhstan.
If you choose a local burial, you will need to arrange this with the cemetery. Cemeteries may be separate for Christians and Muslims or divided into distinct sectors. Burial in a specific sector requires prior authorisation. Any cultural or religious requirements must be agreed in advance with the cemetery administration.
If the family cannot afford funeral arrangements, or if it is not possible to identify or contact the next of kin, the remains may be kept in a mortuary for up to 20 days. After this period, the city’s Communal Services Department will arrange burial in a local cemetery at no cost to the family.
Kazakhstan’s first crematorium opened in Almaty in April 2026. Cremation is currently only permitted where the deceased provided written, notarised consent before their death. Only people who died from non-violent causes can be cremated. Scattering ashes is prohibited under Kazakh law.
You should not arrange for a cremation abroad if you want a coroner in England and Wales to investigate the death. In Scotland, a further investigation may still be possible after cremation.
Bringing the body to the UK
Your funeral director can advise you on the options for repatriating the person’s body from Kazakhstan to the UK.
In Kazakhstan embalming is mandatory for repatriation, your funeral director can advise on the type of embalming required in each case.
For repatriation, the following documents and arrangements are usually required:
- a death certificate
- permission to remove the body, issued by the mortuary, medical institution or forensic facility
- the passport of the person who died
- a special casket for transporting the body (an airtight, sealed zinc coffin)
- a letter from the funeral director confirming that the coffin contains no foreign objects before it is sealed, and a list of any accompanying items
- a medical certificate issued by the Health Inspection Services confirming that embalming has been carried out
- contact details for, or a guarantee letter from, the receiving company in the UK
- permission from the Customs Department for repatriation.
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing the ashes to the UK.
You may need certain documents before you can take the ashes from the crematorium. Your funeral director can arrange this for you.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Kazakhstan you will need to:
- show the death certificate
- show the cremation certificate
- follow local regulations about leaving Kazakhstan with ashes – your funeral director can give you more information
- tell the airline in advance
Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK
Ask your funeral director for advice if you cannot take the ashes yourself. It may not be possible to send them by post or courier. Ashes can be shipped as air freight, although this can be expensive.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Personal belongings the person had with them when they died are usually returned to you or held by the Kazakh police. The police should provide an inventory of any items in their custody.
If you are arranging for the person’s body to be brought back to the UK, you can ask your funeral director to collect the person’s belongings and arrange for them to be transported with the body. Your funeral director will need a notarised power of attorney to collect the belongings from the police on your behalf.
If they were a Kazakhstan resident you may not be able to take the belongings, as they may be part of their estate. If this happens, get legal advice.
Belongings may be kept as evidence if there is an investigation into the death. This will only be returned when the court case is over, which can be a lengthy process.
Finding a local translator
You may need a translator to help you understand information in Kazakh or Russian, or to have documents translated. See our list of translators/interpreters. The British Embassy in Kazakhstan cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding a local lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand Kazakhstan’s legal system following a death. See English-speaking lawyers in Kazakhstan. The embassy in Kazakhstan cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
Although you do not need to register the death in the UK, you should still inform the relevant UK authorities when someone dies abroad. Read general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad to find out what to do.
You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
