When someone dies in the Republic of Moldova

Contacting the insurance company

It is very important to check if the person who died had insurance. If they had insurance, contact the insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Moldova 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.

If the person who died did not have insurance, the next of kin will usually have to appoint a funeral director and will usually be responsible for all costs. The UK Government cannot help with these costs.

Under Moldovan law, a deceased person must be buried within 72 hours of death. However, in the case of foreign nationals the authorities will normally allow as much time as necessary.

If the deceased was travelling with a tour operator, they may be a valuable source of assistance and advice.

Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad if you’re not sure if they had insurance

Registering the death

You will need to register the death with the local authorities in Moldova. A funeral director may be able to 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)
• medical death certificate

The attending physician or coroner will complete a medical death record, known as ‘Certificat medical constatator de deces’ in Romanian, within 24 hours. This medical certificate will include the likely cause of death. If the cause of death is uncertain, this process can take much longer.

Getting a death certificate

After the medical death certificate is issued, you can register the death with the Public Services Agency. They can issue a death certificate (in Romanian) within 24 hours.

If you want this document legalised, you can go to the local Ministry of Justice (legalisation services) to have the ‘Apostille’ attached to it.

Deaths of British nationals overseas are not automatically recorded at the UK Register Office, nor with the British Embassy.

You do not need to register the death with the UK authorities.

The local death certificate can usually be used in the UK for most purposes, including probate. If it is not in English, you will need to get an official translation and pay for this.

Post mortems in the Republic of Moldova

A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in the Republic of Moldova if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. An autopsy is mandatory for foreign nationals who die in Moldova. Some exceptions may apply:

• if they died in hospital and the doctor states the cause of death
• if they died of natural causes
• for religious beliefs – but if the local authorities believe the death is suspicious, they may insist on carrying out an autopsy

The local authorities will need to be told if the person suffered from an infectious condition such as hepatitis or HIV so they can take precautions against infection.

Autopsies are carried out by court appointed forensic doctors.

During an autopsy, parts of organs can be removed for testing, including toxicological, hysto-pathological studies, without consent of next of kin. Next of Kin are not informed about the removal of any organs, however they can request a copy of the report.

The deceased’s body can be buried in Moldova or returned to the UK before tests on removed organs are completed. The next of kin can write a letter to the director of Centre for Legal Medicine requesting the return of these organs once tests are complete.

Burying or cremating the body in the Republic of Moldova

You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial in the Republic of Moldova.

Next of kin can request for a local burial, which can be arranged by local funeral directors. You will be charged for this.

There will be no Coroner’s inquest in the UK when the remains are buried or cremated locally.

Cremation

There are no cremation facilities in Moldova.

You can ask your funeral director to arrange for cremation in Odessa, Ukraine. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Ukraine so you should not travel with the body, and the ashes can be sent to you. After cremation the funeral director will provide you with a cremation certificate.

Bringing the body to the UK

Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from the Republic of Moldova. A body is usually released for burial, cremation or repatriation after the death certificate has been issued, or on completion of the autopsy.

If the deceased was covered by travel insurance, the insurance company will normally have a standing agreement with an international funeral director in Britain to arrange repatriation. If the deceased is not covered by insurance, next of kin will need to appoint an undertaker in Moldova or an International funeral director themselves.

Find a UK-based international funeral director.

Find a local funeral director in Moldova.

Local undertakers in Moldova are equipped to carry out repatriation procedures and will provide the special caskets required for international repatriation.

To repatriate the body, you will need:

• a local civil registry death certificate
• the doctor’s death certificate (indicating cause of death)
• a certificate of embalming
• a certificate giving permission to transfer the remains to the UK

The undertaker will organise this for you. Our Embassy can provide covering certificates for British customs.

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

Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK yourself.

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

If the person who died had insurance, check with the insurance company if this covers the return of their personal belongings.

Personal belongings are normally returned to next of kin - or their authorised representative - with ID. The personal effects may be held at the hospital, coroner’s office, police station or the deceased’s former place of residence.

In the case of a suspicious death the investigative body may retain the personal belongings which will be returned to the family on completion of the investigation or can be retained as evidence and returned until the court case has finished.

The British Embassy cannot take responsibility for the personal belongings of the person who died.

Finding a Moldovan translator

You may need a translator to help you understand Moldovan rules or get documents translated. Check official translators in the Republic of Moldova: Find a professional service abroad.  The embassy or consulate in the Republic of Moldova cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.

Finding a Moldovan lawyer

You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Moldovan legal system when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in the Republic of Moldova. The embassy or consulate in the Republic of Moldova 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 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 +44 (0)20 7008 5000
• see how to get help from the UK government abroad