When someone dies in Algeria
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-18)

The process when a British national dies in Algeria, including registering the death, funerals and cremations, and bringing the person’s body to the UK.

Contacting the insurance company

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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-after-a-british-national-dies-abroad) if you’re not sure if they had insurance.

The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Algeria 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 Town Hall. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.

You will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- birth certificate, showing their place of birth and parents’ names
- religion
- official identity document (for example their British passport)
- spouse’s details (if applicable)
- marriage certificate (if applicable)
- divorce papers (if applicable)
Getting a death certificate

After registering the death, you will get a death certificate usually in Arabic or French. You can get the certificate translated at Local translation offices in Algeria (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/translators-interpreters?country=Algeria).

Algeria death certificates do not give the cause of death. It’s worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.

Post mortems in Algeria

A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. Autopsies are not automatic in Algeria.

When a death occurs, a doctor issues a certificate, specifying whether the death is natural, violent or suspect. If the death is qualified natural, no autopsy will be carried out. If the death is qualified suspect, an autopsy is automatically carried out. If the death is qualified violent, the Prosecutor takes the decision on whether an autopsy is necessary or not. Autopsies, when requested, are carried out in the hospital of the relevant district, usually within 24 hours of death

Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. Small tissue samples and organs may be removed for testing without the family’s permission. You will not automatically be told if this happens.

There are no circumstances in which organs would be retained. Organ transplants are not available in Algeria. If organs are removed, they will normally be returned before the person’s body is released for burial.

Post mortem reports are usually given to the prosecutor. The next of kin, family or the Embassy have to put a request to the Prosecutor if they want to have access to the report.

Burying or cremating the body in Algeria

Burial is the only facility available locally. There are no cremation facilities in Algeria.

You need a Funeral director abroad (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors) to arrange a burial in Algeria. A body can normally be released for burial or repatriation once the autopsy is complete. A burial certificate is to be issued by the Town Hall of the relevant district. The arrangements can be made with the local establishment of the management of funeral homes and cemeteries (https://www.govserv.org/DZ/Algiers/113970906987099/%D9%85%D8%A4%D8%B3%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B2-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1-Epic-Egpfc). YOu can call them by dialling xx-xxxx-xxxx. Their office address is:

6 Rue Lakhdar Fechkeur,Bab El Oued,Alger

Note that inquest will not take place in the UK if a local burial in Algeria takes place.

Bringing the body to the UK

Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Algeria.

When taking the person’s body to the UK from Algeria you will need to:
- a mortuary pass and procuration which will be issued by the British Embassy
- show the death certificate
- show the passport of the person who died
Getting the person’s belongings back

Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the Algerian police.

If you bring the person’s body to the UK, you can ask your local funeral director to collect all the belongings and transport them together.

If they were an Algerian resident, you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice if this happens. See list of Local lawyers (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Algeria).

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.

Finding an Arabic/ French translator

You may need a translator to help you understand Arabic/ French rules or get documents translated. See list of translators in Algeria (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/translators-interpreters?country=Algeria) . The embassy or consulate in Algeria cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.

Finding an Algerian lawyer

You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Algerian legal system when someone has died. See English-speaking lawyers (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Algeria) in Algeria. The embassy or consulate in Algeria 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-after-a-british-national-dies-abroad) to find out what to do.

Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
- in the UK call xx-xxxx-xxxx
- see how to get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/home)