Helpful information for dealing with a death in Spain.
While death, either yours, or that of a loved one, is never a nice topic to think about, it is always better to be prepared and have some understanding of the system here in Spain. Here is a little guide into what to do and what will happen in the event of a death in Spain.
In the first instance: If the death occurs in a hospital, the administrative authorities will manage the process. If not, then the following procedure should be followed:
Call the Police and inform them of the death.
Contact a Doctor who must certify the death and issue a death certificate.
Contact a funeral parlour, called a "tanatorio" in Spanish, who will remove the body, you must provide some form of identification to accompany the body.
You must then register the death within 24 hours at the Civil registry office, located in the town hall, When the death registration has been completed a burial license is issued and a formal funeral can take place.
Here in Spain, funerals or cremation of the body is usually within 24-48 hours of death, this can sometimes be extended, but you must make arrangements with the morgue quickly.
If the body is to be repatriated to another country this must also be communicated to the attending doctor when the death certificate is being completed. As with a living person, the body requires a Passport in order to be allowed entry for the funeral, the body cannot cross international borders without it. Repatriation of a body may be covered by your travel, or life insurance policy. If, this is the case, your should contact your insurance company who will then make the arrangements for you.
Normally, an autopsy is not required, if, that is, there is no doubt as to the cause of death. It is however, of the utmost importance to remember, that once you sign any paperwork given to you, even by the police, you can become tied to that particular Funeral Director. If you feel you are pressurised in any way, you should inform the authority concerned, or even contact the police and tell them that you want the Funeral Director of your choice to deal with all matters.
Non residents tourists: If you are in Spain as a tourist, or on a temporary basis, then your travel insurance should cover the expenses of a funeral or repatriation. However, if you do not have travel insurance, beware that the family will have to cover all expenses, so life insurance is recommended. The costs of repatriating a body from Spain to it's country of origen, or funeral and administration services in Spain are quite High. Our suggestion is ALWAYS take out travel insurance when you travel to Spain. A death would be bad enough to cope with, without having to find a large sum of money too!
Making a Will: As soon as possible after purchasing a property in Spain, or obtaining other assets here, it would be a wise decision to make plans for what should happen, in the case of your unexpected death. You should make a will (testamento or última voluntad) with the advice of a Spanish notary. The will is registered at the Registry of Last Wills and Testaments (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad), where it is given a certification number.
Coping with a death of a loved one, especially in a foreign country, or for those that struggle to grasp Spanish, can be quite overwhelming. Life, Health and Travel insurance cannot prevent the incident, or bring back a loved one, but they can help bear the burden of, hospital, funeral costs and paperwork.
Enjoy your new life in Spain, but remember we are all human, birth and death is a part of life, don't pretend it cannot happen to you! Preperation in time, can save your family and loved ones a whole heap of stress and upset.
While death, either yours, or that of a loved one, is never a nice topic to think about, it is always better to be prepared and have some understanding of the system here in Spain. Here is a little guide into what to do and what will happen in the event of a death in Spain.
In the first instance: If the death occurs in a hospital, the administrative authorities will manage the process. If not, then the following procedure should be followed:
Call the Police and inform them of the death.
Contact a Doctor who must certify the death and issue a death certificate.
Contact a funeral parlour, called a "tanatorio" in Spanish, who will remove the body, you must provide some form of identification to accompany the body.
You must then register the death within 24 hours at the Civil registry office, located in the town hall, When the death registration has been completed a burial license is issued and a formal funeral can take place.
Here in Spain, funerals or cremation of the body is usually within 24-48 hours of death, this can sometimes be extended, but you must make arrangements with the morgue quickly.
If the body is to be repatriated to another country this must also be communicated to the attending doctor when the death certificate is being completed. As with a living person, the body requires a Passport in order to be allowed entry for the funeral, the body cannot cross international borders without it. Repatriation of a body may be covered by your travel, or life insurance policy. If, this is the case, your should contact your insurance company who will then make the arrangements for you.
Normally, an autopsy is not required, if, that is, there is no doubt as to the cause of death. It is however, of the utmost importance to remember, that once you sign any paperwork given to you, even by the police, you can become tied to that particular Funeral Director. If you feel you are pressurised in any way, you should inform the authority concerned, or even contact the police and tell them that you want the Funeral Director of your choice to deal with all matters.
Non residents tourists: If you are in Spain as a tourist, or on a temporary basis, then your travel insurance should cover the expenses of a funeral or repatriation. However, if you do not have travel insurance, beware that the family will have to cover all expenses, so life insurance is recommended. The costs of repatriating a body from Spain to it's country of origen, or funeral and administration services in Spain are quite High. Our suggestion is ALWAYS take out travel insurance when you travel to Spain. A death would be bad enough to cope with, without having to find a large sum of money too!
Making a Will: As soon as possible after purchasing a property in Spain, or obtaining other assets here, it would be a wise decision to make plans for what should happen, in the case of your unexpected death. You should make a will (testamento or última voluntad) with the advice of a Spanish notary. The will is registered at the Registry of Last Wills and Testaments (Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad), where it is given a certification number.
Coping with a death of a loved one, especially in a foreign country, or for those that struggle to grasp Spanish, can be quite overwhelming. Life, Health and Travel insurance cannot prevent the incident, or bring back a loved one, but they can help bear the burden of, hospital, funeral costs and paperwork.
Enjoy your new life in Spain, but remember we are all human, birth and death is a part of life, don't pretend it cannot happen to you! Preperation in time, can save your family and loved ones a whole heap of stress and upset.
