A US citizen has died in Germany: what relatives need

When a US citizen dies in Germany, the family faces two sets of authorities at once: the German ones at the place of death and the American ones back home. This article explains what to do and in which order, which document will actually be needed in the United States, and why the family cannot collect the coffin at the destination airport.

The first steps in Germany

Doctor. A doctor issues the medical certificate of death. Where the death was sudden, the manner of death is often recorded as unexplained and the police attend. This is standard procedure.
Funeral director. The deceased is collected and placed in refrigerated storage. Say straight away that repatriation to the United States is planned.
Registry office. The death is registered at the place of death. Ask for the death certificate in the international multilingual format.
US consulate. Report the death to the responsible US mission, which then issues the Consular Report of Death Abroad.

Rudolf Nordheimer during a consultation — Symbolic image: relatives do not have to travel for the arrangements.

The Consular Report of Death Abroad

This is the key point of the article. When a US citizen dies abroad, the US embassy or consulate issues the Consular Report of Death Abroad, or CRDA. It is based on the German death certificate, written in English and issued by a US authority — which is why banks, insurers and probate courts in the United States accept it.

Ask for several certified copies while the case is still being processed. Issuing them at the time of death is free, and almost every institution in the United States wants its own: the bank, the life insurer, the pension provider, the probate court, the land registry. Ordering later means a fee for each copy and a wait of several weeks, with the request going through the State Department in Virginia.

A German death certificate on its own is usually not enough in the United States. It is not in English and does not come from a US authority.

What is needed for the repatriation

German death certificate, international format, with a certified English translation
corpse passport from the competent authority at the place of death
certificate of no objection from the public health office
proof of coffining with soldered zinc liner or of embalming
consular documents from the US mission
name and address of the receiving funeral home in the United States

The rule that surprises many families

The US health authority requires the deceased to be transported in a leak-proof container and consigned directly to a licensed funeral home, cemetery or crematory. The family therefore cannot collect the coffin at the airport.

That is why we need the name of the receiving funeral home early on. Where the deceased has been embalmed or cremated, no separate permit from the health authority is required. Where they have not, the death certificate must additionally state the cause of death.

On top of that, every state has its own rules. What applies in Texas does not apply in New York. We confirm the requirements in advance with the funeral home at the destination. The full process is set out on the page repatriation to the United States.

Coffin or urn

Cremation in Germany makes much of this simpler: the urn is lighter, the requirements are fewer and transport is considerably cheaper. Whether it is an option is first a question for the family and their faith — and it cannot be undone. We compare both in the article “Coffin or urn”.

Who pays

Consulates and embassies advise and issue certificates but do not cover repatriation costs. Check whether travel insurance with repatriation cover was in place and report the death there before instructing a company: many insurers only pay for a repatriation they have agreed themselves.

And the other direction

Where someone dies in the United States and is to be repatriated to Europe, the same principle applies in reverse: the death certificate is issued by the state, and a burial transit permit and certified translations are added. More on the page repatriation from the United States.

Frequently asked questions

How many copies of the Consular Report of Death Abroad do we need?

Request several certified copies while the case is being processed — issuing them at the time of death is free, and almost every institution in the United States wants its own copy. Ordering later costs a fee per copy and takes several weeks.

Is the German death certificate enough in the United States?

Usually not. US banks, insurers and probate courts work with the Consular Report of Death Abroad, because it is in English and issued by a US authority.

Do relatives have to travel from the United States to Germany?

No. A power of attorney is enough. We handle everything with the registry office, the public health office, the US consulate, the airline and the funeral home in the United States.

Can the family collect the coffin at the US airport?

No. Under US rules the deceased must be consigned directly to a licensed funeral home, cemetery or crematory. We arrange this in advance.

Is cremation in Germany simpler?

Yes, considerably. An urn is lighter, the requirements are fewer and transport is cheaper. Bear in mind that the decision cannot be reversed.

Will insurance pay for the repatriation?

Travel policies often include repatriation cover, usually up to a fixed amount. Report the death to the insurer before instructing anyone.

Call us — we handle both sides

Tell us where the deceased is and where they are to be taken. We take care of the German documents, liaise with the US consulate and the funeral home in the United States and organise the transport. Around the clock, in English, German, Russian and Ukrainian.

Phone: +49 1511 7463888 · Request a call back

This article reflects the published regulations and does not replace legal advice. The requirements of the competent authorities and the destination state are decisive.