When someone dies in Slovakia

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 if you’re not sure if they had insurance.

The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Slovakia 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 Slovak 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
• official identity document (for example their British passport)
• spouse’s details (if applicable)
• marriage certificate (if applicable)
• divorce papers (if applicable
• medical certificate of cause of death (issued by the examining doctor)

Getting a death certificate

After registering the death, you will get a death certificate (úmrtný list). You can ask for an international/English version (Medzinárodný viacjazyčný úmrtný list) with a multilingual/English translation.

Slovak 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 Slovakia

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

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. 

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. If you have a lawyer they can apply for a copy.

Burying or cremating the body in Slovakia

You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Slovakia. The exact rules on burials and cremations are different depending on where you are in Slovakia. 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 Slovakia.

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

• the death certificate (international version or official translation of the Slovak version)
• the permission for international transport of person’s body, issued by a coroner
• the passport of the person who died
• the medical certificate of cause of death, including the confirmation, it was not an infectious disease
• the embalming certificate

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 Slovakia you will need to:

• show the death certificate (international version of official translation of Slovak version)
• show the cremation certificate
• follow local Slovak regulations about leaving Slovakia with ashes - your funeral director can give you more information
• tell the airline in advance

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 Slovak 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 Slovak resident, you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice if this happens.

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 a Slovak translator

You may need a translator to help you understand Slovak rules or get documents translated. Check official translators in Slovakia. The embassy in Slovakia cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.

Finding a Slovak lawyer

You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Slovak legal system when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in Slovakia. The embassy or consulate in Slovakia 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