British Consul: It may be that the person close to you who has died, has been killed Abroad, which creates extra difficulties. If a relative or friend becomes the 'victim of murder' overseas while you are in the UK, the British Consul is there to help.
Once the death has been reported to a British Consulate Overseas, they will pass the details to the United Kingdom Police. If the person was murdered, or the death is unexplained or suspicious, a Family Liaison Officer will be assigned to carry out the necessary liaison with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Consular Staff in London will keep in touch with you and the Consulate abroad until the burial or cremation overseas, or until the person is brought back to the UK. The Consular Staff in London will pass on to the Consulate abroad your wishes concerning the Funeral requirements, and they do their best to see the wishes are carried out.
If the person that has died is know to be suffering from an 'infectious condition' such as Hepatitis or HIV it is essential that the Authorities are informed. There may be a delay before you can bring the person home, especially if an Overseas Inquest and/or Post-Mortem is required. If you wish for there to be an Inquest in Britain, the person must be returned to the United Kingdom. You do not have to Register the Death with the British Consulate, but if you do then you can obtain a UK Death Certificate, which will be registered in the UK.
There are some Countries where British Consulates cannot issue UK Death Certificates.
Next Of Kin
The British Consuls can keep the next of kin informed, they can advise on the cost of local burial, local cremation and transport costs of the person who has died and their personal property, back to the UK. They will also provide a list of local Funeral Directors. If an English speaking company is unavailable, then the Consulate will help with the arrangements.
Where there is evidence of suspicious circumstances they can press for an investigation by the local authorities and pass on reports. However, the Consul cannot:
* Investigate deaths themselves.
* Pay Burial or Cremation expenses.
* Pay for the return of the deceased person to the UK
* Pay any debts that may be outstanding.
If you decide to bring the person back from Abroad, the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages for the district where the funeral is to take place, must be informed, as they will need to issue a Certificate before the Burial can take place. Furthermore, if a cremation is to take place, the Home Office also needs to give permission. However, if the death was not due to natural causes the Coroner for the District will also need to be informed and an Inquest may need to take place. The of course may delay the issuing of a Certificate and consequently delay the Funeral.
Support Services Overseas
Many Countries have services like Victim Support which can provide help. Victim Support’s National Office can help by contacting these for you, if you wish. Some Countries also have their own State Compensation Schemes.
Support After Murder & Manslaughter - SAMM Abroad Group started in 2001 - a special organisation for those who have been bereaved by murder Overseas Helpline 0845 123 2384 www.SAMMabroad.org