When an expat dies in Spain, there are a lot of things that need to be taken into consideration. The deceased's family and friends may not be familiar with the Spanish legal system, and may not know where to start when it comes to dealing with the death.
This article will outline some of the steps that need to be taken when someone dies in Spain.
When an expat dies in Spain, what happens to their body and belongings
When an expat dies in Spain, their body must be taken to a funeral parlour (tanatorio) as soon as possible. The funeral directors will then contact the local civil registry to begin the process of registering the death and providing a local death certificate. Once the death has been registered, the funeral directors will take care of most of the arrangements, including transportation of the body and any belongings.
If the deceased has left behind a will, their belongings will be distributed according to their wishes. If there is no will, Spanish law determines that if the deceased was resident in Spain the deceased’s assets and belongings will go to the nearest relatives.
In both cases, it is advisable to contact a lawyer to ensure that everything is handled correctly, from bank accounts to repatriation expenses.
The process of dealing with a death can be extremely stressful, so it is important to have a support system in place. Family and friends can offer emotional support, while professionals can help with all the practicalities.
Important documents
When a British national dies in Spain, there is certain paperwork that is necessary in order to repatriate a body and deal with estate matters.
The death certificate can be obtained from the local Spanish civil registry and the family must make arrangements with the local funeral directors to provide all of the necessary documentation, as well as pay any fees associated with the repatriation of the body, whether there will be a local burial, or whether the deceased will be cremated locally.
Death certificate
A death certificate is an important document that is used to record a person's death. It helps to identify the deceased and provides information about when and where they died. In Spain, a death certificate is required in order to register the death with the local authorities. It is also needed in order to arrange for a funeral and to settle the deceased's estate. For these reasons, it is important to obtain a death certificate when a relative dies in Spain.
There are two categories of death certificates:
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Certificado médico de defunción (Doctor’s medical death certificate), which confirms the identification of the body and the cause of death
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Certificado de defunción del Registro Civil (Civil Registry death certificate)
Insurance
If the body needs to be taken back to the person's home country and they have travel insurance, you should contact the insurance company as soon as possible to see if they can cover the costs of repatriation and make arrangements.
You should check both funeral insurance and life insurance policies to determine what costs are covered and make the funeral company aware as to which funeral expenses are covered. A local funeral director can then help to manage funeral arrangements.
The Spanish Funeral Director will help with the process, travel bookings, and finding a regulation hermetically-sealed coffin for the flight. The British Funeral Director will be there when the plane arrives to take possession of the coffin and then make arrangements for burial or cremation.
How to choose the right funeral home
It is important to choose the right funeral agents to help you through the process. There are a few things to consider when making your choice. First, you will need to decide whether you want a local burial or local cremation, or whether the body will be repatriated.
Funeral homes in Spain offer both types of service, so be sure to ask about your options.
Next, you will need to determine how much you can afford to spend on the funeral.
Prices can vary significantly, so it is important to get quotes from multiple funeral companies before making your final decision. Finally, be sure to ask about any special services that the funeral home offers, such as help with travel arrangements or assistance with legal matters. By taking the time to research your options, you can be sure to choose the right funeral home.
If the person who has died has made a "living will", it can ensure that the funeral plan is enacted.
Tips for avoiding common pitfalls when an expat dies in Spain
There are a few common legal pitfalls when someone dies overseas. One is not having a will.
This can cause all sorts of problems, from inheritance disputes to delays in probate. Without a will, the Spanish courts will have to appoint an administrator to deal with the estate, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
Another pitfall is not having adequate insurance. This can leave loved ones with a huge financial burden at a time when they are already grieving. Make sure you have both health and life insurance that covers you in Spain.
Finally, don't forget to notify your embassy or consulate when a person dies. They can provide assistance with everything from funeral arrangements to notification of next of kin.
How long after a death is a funeral in Spain?
In Spain, it is customary to have a funeral within two or three days of a death. The Spanish believe that it is important to bury the deceased as soon as possible. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the death occurs on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, then the funeral will usually be held on the following Monday. This is because most funeral homes are closed on weekends and it can be difficult to arrange a funeral at such short notice. Likewise, if the death occurs on a holiday, the funeral will usually be held on the first day that is not a holiday. In these cases, it is often possible to arrange for a funeral within 24 hours.
Spanish law commonly requires that all burials take place within 72 hours of death. This shortened timeframe can be challenging for family members who are grieving. In addition, Spanish funeral homes typically do not offer the same range of services as their counterparts in other countries. For example, they typically do not provide embalming services or host viewing periods. As a result, funerals in Spain are often shorter and less elaborate than those in other cultures.
How do you repatriate a body from Spain?
When a loved one dies while living abroad, the process of repatriating their body can be daunting.
In Spain, the local civil registry offices must be notified and a death certificate issued. Next, the body must be prepared for transport according to local regulations. Once all of the necessary paperwork has been completed, the body can be shipped by air or sea.
How long do you have to register a death in Spain?
In Spain, the registration of a death must be carried out within five days of the death. The registration must be made at the registrar's office in the municipality where the death took place. If the death occurred in a hospital or nursing home, the registration can be made at the registrar's office in the municipality where the hospital or nursing home is located. The following documents are required for the registration:
- The identity document of the person who is registering the death
- The identity document of the deceased
If you are not able to register the death within five days, you can request an extension from the registrar's office.
Who registers the death in Spain?
Usually, the funeral parlour takes care of death registration, but anyone with knowledge of the death is eligible to make the registration.
After the death registration has been completed, under normal circumstances a burial licence will be issued and then the burial or cremation can take place. The funeral parlour can help organise funerals and also takes care of the burial, cremation or repatriation.
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