When someone dies in Switzerland
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-28)

The process when a British national dies in Switzerland, 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 Switzerland 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 Swiss registry office. 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)

proof of residence

Getting a death certificate

After registering the death, you will get an international death certificate (Sterbeurkunde / Certificat de décès / Certificato di morte). The death certificate will show an English translation. Swiss death certificates do not give the cause of death. You can also apply for a copy of the death certificate using the online portal of the cantonal civil registry (https://www.ch.ch/en/safety-and-justice/addresses-of-administrative-authorities/).

Post mortems in Switzerland

A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Switzerland if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent.

The Coroner will take into account cultural or religious sensitivities. Coronial staff will often contact next of kin to explain the need for an autopsy and to inform them of the possible complications if one is not undertaken. In the case of a homicide the Coroners in Switzerland will proceed with an autopsy.

Small tissue samples and organs may be removed for testing without the family’s permission. You will not automatically be told if this happens.

If organs are removed, they will normally be returned before the person’s body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances body parts may be kept without permission. This might happen if further investigation is needed. The next of kin will be told if this happens.

Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. Next of kin can apply for a copy of the report from the Public Prosecutor. If you have a lawyer (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers) they can apply for a copy.

Potential organ donors in Switzerland must have a donor card, or they must have expressed their consent to organ removal in the event of death to their relatives while still alive.

Burying or cremating the body in Switzerland

You need a local funeral director (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors) to arrange a burial or cremation in Switzerland. Cantonal authorities allow for ashes to be scattered in publicly owned areas. Your funeral director can give you advice.

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 Switzerland.

When taking the person’s body to the UK from Switzerland you will need to:

show the death certificate

get permission to remove the person’s body, issued by a coroner

show the passport of the person who died

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 Switzerland, you will need:

a certified copy of the death certificate.

a cremation certificate: this document is provided by the crematorium.

a certified copy of an entry of cremation: this is a special certificate required for taking ashes abroad

to tell the airline in advance

to notify customs upon arrival in the UK.

optional: a letter from the funeral home stating that the container holds only the cremated remains of the deceased

Your funeral director can give you more information.

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 you or the Swiss 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 a Swiss resident, you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers) 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 Swiss translator

You may need a translator (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/translators-interpreters) to help you understand Swiss rules or get documents translated. Check official translators in Switzerland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/translators-interpreters). The embassy or consulate in Switzerland cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.

Finding a Swiss lawyer

You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Swiss legal system when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in Switzerland (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers). The embassy or consulate in Switzerland 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)