UPDATED APRIL 2013

The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 1






A GUIDE TO DEATHS OF BRITISH NATIONALS IN THE PHILIPPINES


The death of a relative or friend can be a traumatic experience. If a loved one dies overseas, family
and friends in the United Kingdom may feel additional distress, because they are unfamiliar with
foreign procedures and they are likely unable to communicate in the local language of the country.
They may be uncertain about what to do next or who to contact for advice.

The Consular Directorate in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the British Embassy
in Manila are ready to help in any way they can. These notes are designed to help bereaved family
and friends through the practical arrangements that need to be made.

Bereaved families and friends should be aware that Philippine procedures differ greatly from those
in the United Kingdom. While we understand the need for arrangements to be made quickly, this
may not always be possible.

The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the
law, nor is it to be taken as a substitute for independent legal advice.

STANDARD PROCEDURES IN THE PHILIPPINES

In the Philippines, the death of a British national is usually reported to the embassy by the local
police, hospitals, undertakers, families or friends of the deceased.

Local undertakers require an immediate family member (next of kin) to decide on important matters
(i.e. burial, cremation, or repatriation to the United Kingdom, or home country), while hospitals would
normally require a family member to sign as informant on the local death certificate.

If the next of kin is unavailable, or resides overseas, he/she may appoint an authorised
representative to act on his/her behalf and deal with local authorities. If the next of kin is unknown,
local authorities may wait until other family members are located through the help of the Embassy.

1. AUTOPSIES (POST MORTEMS)

A post mortem is locally referred to as an autopsy or medico-legal.

The authority to perform an autopsy is normally required from the next of kin. However, autopsies
may be performed without prior authority if a person died of a violent death, or if the cause of death
cannot be readily determined. A forensic doctor from the Philippine National Police (PNP) normally
conducts autopsies either at a police crime lab or at a funeral home with available facilities. Tissue
samples of internal organs are taken and brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame
(PNP headquarters) for examination. When an autopsy is completed, the local undertaker will then
embalm the remains to avoid decomposition.
CONSULAR SECTION

THE BRITISH EMBASSY
120 Upper Mckinley Road, Mckinley Hill
Taguig City 1634
Metro Manila
Philippines

Telephone: +632 858 2200
Facsimile: +632 858 2342
Email: Cons.Manila@fco.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/philippines


UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 2

Autopsy results are normally released in 2-3 weeks and are required for the local death certificate to
be issued. Remains may be released for burial, cremation or repatriation once the autopsy is
complete.

Next of kin must advise local authorities or the Embassy about any concerns with conducting an
autopsy on their loved one.

2. LOCAL DEATH CERTIFICATE

A local death certificate is immediately processed through the civil registrar in the town or city where
a British national died.

The following information appears on a Philippine death certificate:

1. Name (first, middle, last) 17. Causes of death
2. Sex 18. Death by non-natural causes
3. Religion 19. Attendant
4. Age 20. Certification of death
5. Place of death 21. Corpse disposal (burial, cremation, others)
6. Date of death 22. Burial/Cremation permit
7. Citizenship 23. Autopsy
8. Residence 24. Name and address of cemetery or crematory
9. Civil Status 25. Informant
10. Occupation 26. Prepared by (details usually of local undertaker)
11. 15. Medical certificate (if deceased was 0-7 years
old) 27. Received at the office of (details of civil registrar)

Philippine documents (i.e. birth, death, marriage certificates) are issued in English, thus translations
are not necessarily required.

Deaths must be registered with the civil registrar within 30 days of the death. A death certificate may
be obtained within a week from the death, except where there is only a presumption of death, which
may then take several years. A local municipal health officer will have to validate the death.

In cases of a major disaster with significant loss of life, the Philippine authorities may speed up
issue of a death certificate, even though no body was recovered, but this does not happen
automatically.

If there are outstanding bills with the hospital or funeral home, the concerned hospital or funeral
home may not immediately release the death certificate, until all bills have been paid.

Deaths of British Nationals overseas are not automatically recorded at the General Register Office
in the UK, nor is there any obligation for the death to be registered with the British Embassy.
However, next of kin may find that there are advantages in doing so a British form of death
certificate is then available, and that a record of death is afterwards held at the General Register
Office in the UK.





UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 3

3. CONSULAR DEATH REGISTRATION

Next of kin have the option to apply for a Consular death registration through the Consular Section.
Please see Annex E for the application form (Form BMD 002-007). Fees 14 and 16 apply see
current Consular fees list. A Philippine death certificate is required for this application.

To register a death from within the UK, next of kin may contact the Consular Directorate, Foreign
and Commonwealth Office at Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2AF, Telephone no. 020 7008
0186 / 020 7270 1500.


4. HOSPITAL FACILITIES

If a British national dies in hospital and if, that hospital does not have a proper morgue (mortuary),
refrigeration or storage facilities, the deceased remains may then be taken straight away to a funeral
home for proper storage.

Hospital facilities in the Philippines may not be as good as those in the United Kingdom. Next of kin
should coordinate with hospital administration about the transfer of remains to a funeral home and
should expect to cover costs for transport.


5. MORTUARY FACILITIES

Most funeral homes have morgues (mortuary facilities) and are available in most key cities and
small towns throughout the Philippines. Crematoriums are mostly located in Metro Manila, but there
are a few cremation facilities available in the provinces of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Baguio City (in Ilocos
province), and San Fernando City (in La Union province).

The standards applied in Philippine morgues may not necessarily be at par with those in the United
Kingdom. For instance, not all funeral homes have refrigeration facilities, thus remains may have to
be embalmed immediately to avoid decomposition.

Next of kin are advised to enquire with the concerned funeral home about possible embalmment
procedures; any costs involved for funeral services; and also payment options available. Some
mortuaries only accept payment in local currency (Philippine pesos).


6. PHILIPPINES CUSTOM ON WAKES

Traditionally, a wake or a vigil is held while awaiting the burial date of the deceased. This is a
common Philippine practice of Catholic origin, where the deceaseds remains are displayed in a
chapel, or familys home, for viewing of family and friends during a certain period. Some known
funeral homes contain small chapels within where wakes may be held.

Next of kin must immediately advise the funeral home, authorised representative, or the embassy if
they have concerns or objections on holding a wake for their loved one. Family are advised to
enquire with the funeral home about all possible costs involved, and/or package deals, i.e. rent of
chapel for wake included in burial package, etc.

7. BURIAL, CREMATION, REPATRIATION

Following the death of a British national in the Philippines, the next of kin, or their formally appointed
representative, must decide whether to
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 4


a) Have a local burial or cremation, or
b) Repatriate the deceased remains to the UK (or home country), or
c) Have a local cremation and then repatriate cremated remains back to the UK (or home
country)

The Consular Section in Manila may liaise with next of kin in the United Kingdom through the
Consular desk officers at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. These desk officers will
pass on to the Consular Section in Manila the next of kins decisions about the burial or cremation of
the deceased and also advise details of who would be responsible for any expenses.

If the deceased British national had travel insurance, it is important that next of kin immediately
contact the insurance company. If there is no insurance cover, the costs of burial, cremation or
repatriation will need to be met by family and/or friends.

Neither the British Embassy in Manila, nor the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have the
capacity to meet burial, cremation or repatriation costs.

The Consular Section will do their best to ensure that the concerned familys wishes are properly
carried out. Families are therefore recommended to decide as soon as possible about the
deceaseds funeral and cremation.

BURIAL

Local funeral homes may have limited size range for caskets (coffins) and often use imported
caskets for foreigners due to their larger built. Imported or custom built caskets are often more
expensive.

There are various private and public cemeteries across the country. Burial in a private cemetery
may involve purchasing a plot of land and may be expensive. Burial in a public cemetery usually
include a 5-year contract. If the contract is not renewed, then the remains are exhumed and placed
in a common grave, and the space is declared vacant for reoccupation.

Average cost for a simple burial* would be PHP50000 (approximately GBP800). However, next of
kin are advised to discuss all possible burial costs and procedures involved with the funeral home,
i.e. cost of storage (may be charged for a set period of time), cost of rent of chapel (if a wake is
held), cost of cemetery plot, cost of transport and actual burial services, etc.

*Rates based on burial within Metro Manila. Rates vary depending on funeral home.

CREMATION

Crematoriums are mostly located in Metro Manila, however there are a few cremation facilities
available in the provinces of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Baguio City (in Ilocos province), and San Fernando
City (in La Union province).

Next of kin must check with the funeral home involved whether caskets used prior a cremation
should be paid for outright. If it was used on loan from the funeral home, the casket will have to be
returned after the cremation.

Average cost for a basic cremation* would be PHP40000 (approximately GBP600). Next of kin are
advised to discuss all possible cremation costs involved with the funeral home, i.e. cost of casket (if
not cremated immediately), cost of cremation process, cost of urn, etc.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 5

*Rates based on basic cremation within Metro Manila. Rates vary depending on funeral home.

REPATRIATION

Repatriation involves sending a deceaseds remains (whole or cremated) back to the United
Kingdom or to another country.

Repatriation of whole remains is generally expensive. The main expenses would involve air freight
from Manila to the United Kingdom (or destination home country), containment of remains, local
handling costs, local permits, etc.

The cheapest and most practical option would be repatriation of cremated ashes. A straightforward
cremation and repatriation could take 2 to 3 working days to arrange, however next of kin are
advised to discuss with their chosen funeral home about specific procedures and timings.

Average cost for repatriation of cremated remains* is PHP80000 (approximate GBP1100), while
average cost for repatriation of whole remains* is PHP300000 (approximate GBP4500).

*Rates may vary depending on funeral home.

Next of kin are advised to appoint an international undertaker in the United Kingdom (see Annex B
for list of UK undertakers) to help organise repatriation. Certain British undertakers, e.g. Rowland
Brothers International or Kenyon International, have Philippine undertaker counterparts, who are
experienced and capable to deal with such procedures.

Alternatively, next of kin may enlist the services of a local undertaker to organise the repatriation
(see Annex A for list of local undertakers).

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The rates mentioned above are based on information gathered from the following funeral
homes known to the British Embassy, Manila (see Annex A for list of local undertakers)
Rizal Funeral Homes (Pasay City, Metro Manila), Loyola Memorial Chapels (Guadalupe,
Makati City, Metro Manila), and Manila Memorial Park (Sucat, Paranaque City, Metro
Manila).
Burial/cremation/repatriation costs vary depending on the funeral home. Families are
advised to discuss all possible burial/cremation/repatriation costs and packages with
their chosen funeral home.


USUAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR REPATRIATION OF WHOLE REMAINS:

1. Certified copy of Death Certificate (issued by local civil registrar at city/municipality where death
occurred)
2. Original British passport of deceased (to be cancelled by the Consular Section)
3. Municipal transfer permit (issued by local civil registrar at city/municipality where death
occurred)
4. Quarantine permit (issued by the Bureau of Quarantine, located at 25
th
and A.C. Delgado
Streets, Port Area, Manila (not applicable if remains are cremated)
5. Fumigation certificate (stating that body will be contained in a hermetically-sealed container,
following international standards, and protected by fumigated wooden crate for shipment)
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 6

6. Consular certificate issued by Consular Section (to confirm identity of the deceased and
cancellation of the British passport; Fee No. 2(i), 45.00, payable in Philippine currency see
current Consular Fees).
Note: In order to obtain this Consular certificate, the abovementioned documents must be
presented to the Consular Section. These documents are normally organised by the appointed
funeral home.


USUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REPATRIATION OF CREMATED REMAINS:

1. Certified copy of Death Certificate (issued by local civil registrar at city/municipality where death
occurred)
2. Original British passport of deceased (to be cancelled by the Consular Section)
3. Municipal transfer permit (issued by local civil registrar at city/municipality where death
occurred)
4. Certificate confirming that cremated remains will be contained in a sealed urn following
international standards (issued by funeral home)
5. Consular certificate issued by Consular Section (to confirm identity of the deceased and
cancellation of the British passport; Fee No. 2(i), 45.00, payable in Philippine currency see
current Consular Fees).
Note: In order to obtain this Consular certificate, the abovementioned documents must be
presented to the Consular Section. These documents are normally organized by the appointed
funeral home.

POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Autopsy / post-mortem report (if the deceased died of mysterious circumstances or
communicable disease)
2. Hospital report
3. Police report (in cases of violent death)


6. RETURN OF PERSONAL EFFECTS

Personal effects may be returned to next of kin, or to their authorised representative, with the
remains if these are repatriated. If personal effects need to be returned to the UK, and next of kin
are not present in Philippines, the Embassy can give basic advice on how to send by commercial
means (i.e. international courier, etc.).

The Embassy cannot keep belongings of a deceased British national on behalf of his/her family.


7. POLICE/JUDICIAL INQUIRIES

The Embassy can liaise with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local courts, if action relating
to a death of British national is required. The Embassy cannot conduct investigations on deaths of
British nationals.

In the case of a suspicious or violent death, the police will carry out an investigation and, if they are
satisfied that a crime has been committed, may take a suspect into custody. The suspect will be
brought before the City or Provincial Prosecutor. If the Prosecutor determines that there is a case to
answer, the suspect will be remanded in jail for trial, but those remanded for all but the most serious
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2012
The information contained in this document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law, nor is it to be taken
as a substitute for independent legal advice. Page 7

offences are eligible for bail. Trials are conducted before a Regional Trial Court judge sitting alone.
Trials can be very slow and cumbersome and, in some cases, can last several years. To help
expedite a case, next of kin may want to employ the services of a private prosecutor, who can work
alongside the government prosecutor.

8. LEGAL AID

Legal aid is not available in the Philippines except for the defence of the accused. Under other
circumstances, such as a suspicious death, next of kin may wish to engage the services of a local
lawyer to represent the deceased, or should a trial be necessary (see Annex D for List of Philippine
Lawyers).


9. CANCELLATION OF BRITISH PASSPORT

It is important that the passport of a deceased person is cancelled so that it cannot be illegally used.
Outside the United Kingdom, the original British passport must be sent or handed, along with the
following documents, to the Consular Section, British Embassy in Manila.

D1 Form (see Annex C)
Original Philippine death certificate
LS01 Form in case passport was declared lost or stolen


10. PENSIONS / ESTATE MATTERS

If the deceased had any United Kingdom pension and/or bank accounts, it is up to the next of kin to
sort these out. Neither the Embassy nor the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can get involved
with these in any way.



**List of Annexes:
o Annex A List of local undertakers
o Annex B List of International (UK) undertakers
o Annex C D1 passport cancellation form
o Annex D List of Philippine lawyers
o Annex E Consular death registration form (BMD 002-007)

**Specific guidance on how the British government can and cannot assist bereaved families is
available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website -
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-death-abroad