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 Pakistan 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 the local government authority of the district where the person died. This could be a Union Council, Municipal Committee or Metropolitan Corporation.
The next of kin usually registers the death. A funeral director can also do this for you. If you appoint a local funeral director to register the death, you will need to give them a ‘letter of authorisation’ stating that you authorise them to act on your behalf. The funeral director will tell you what the letter needs to include.
You will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- official identity document (for example their British passport)
- hospital-issued death certificate (if the death occurred in hospital)
- note from the hospital (if the person was taken to the hospital after they died)
- post-mortem report (if the cause of death is unknown or unnatural)
Getting a death certificate
If the person died in hospital, you will receive a hospital-issued death certificate. This cannot be used for legal matters. It will include a cause of death but will not usually have detailed information about the cause.
If the death occurred outside hospital, a note entitled “Received/Brought Dead” is usually issued by the hospital which receives the body. You will need to send this along with a formal written request to register the death to the local authority.
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate from the local government authority. Death certificates are issued in English and Urdu. The death certificate will say whether it was a natural or unnatural death but will not give a specific cause. It’s worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.
Post mortems in Pakistan
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Pakistan if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. The next of kin can also ask for a post mortem to be carried out.
Post mortems are carried out by forensic doctors appointed by the court. The post mortem is normally completed within 24 hours.
Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. Small tissue samples may be removed for testing without the family’s permission. You will not automatically be told if this happens. Whole organs will not be removed.
If samples are removed they will normally be disposed of by the laboratory after testing.
Post mortem reports are not automatically given to the next of kin. If you want a copy of the initial post-mortem report, you can make a written request to the local police station in Pakistan. A report is usually released within 2 to 3 days. However, detailed laboratory reports can take several months to be issued. If you have a lawyer in Pakistan, you can also ask them to contact the police for a copy of the report.
Burying or cremating the body in Pakistan
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Pakistan.
To have a local burial, a relative or a formally appointed representative needs to appoint a local funeral director. In major cities such as Islamabad, the graveyard authorities will require proof that the person who died was resident in Pakistan before allocating a burial plot. Documents required may include the ID card, rental agreement, or deeds to a property for the person who died.
Your funeral director can give you advice.
Not all cities in Pakistan have cremation facilities. In the districts of Karachi, Sheikhupura and Attock, cremation can be carried out at Hindu and Sikh temples.
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.
Bringing the body to the UK
Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Pakistan.
When taking the person’s body to the UK from Pakistan you will need to show the following documents:
- a letter from the British High Commission confirming that a ‘No Objection Certificate’ is not required:
- the death certificate issued by the local government
- a copy of the passport of the person who died
- the embalming certificate
- a ‘No Objection Certificate’ to repatriate the body from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
You may be able to use a hospital-issued death certificate instead of a death certificate issued by the local government. You can only do this if there is no sign that there was criminal involvement in the death. This will need to be verified by the local police.
Airlines may also ask for additional documents, which may include:
- employer’s letter if the person who died was employed locally
- police certificate stating that there is no police involvement or objection to the repatriation
- certificate of payment for repatriation costs
- letter to the Department of Customs requesting prior release of shipment
- a declaration stating that the coffin does not contain any restricted items
- contact details of the person or funeral director who will be collecting the remains on arrival
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Pakistan you will need to:
- follow local regulations about leaving Pakistan with ashes – your funeral director can give you more information
- declare the ashes at the airport and hand them over to customs officials
If you are planning to bring the ashes out of Pakistan, you will need to get documents from the local authorities before getting the person cremated. After the cremation, the cremating authority will issue a letter of cremation. The ashes will then be sealed in a steel container, which can be taken to the airport. You will need to make sure you have all the correct documents to travel with ashes. The process can be complex, and you should get advice from a funeral director.
Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK
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.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to the police if the family are not present.
If you bring the person’s body to the UK, you can ask your local funeral director to collect all the belongings from the police or court and transport them together.
If they were resident in Pakistan, you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice if this happens.
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.
Finding a local translator
You may need a translator to help you understand rules or get documents translated. Check official translators in Pakistan. The British High Commission cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding a local lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Pakistani legal system when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in Pakistan. The British High Commission cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
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.
You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
