What to do if a loved one dies outside of New Zealand
If someone you’re travelling with or a family member who is travelling has died, you should contact us.
If you can, have ready the person’s:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Passport details
- Travel insurance details
- Close family member’s contact information
- Any tikanga or cultural considerations that you want local authorities or funeral directors to take into account.
How a New Zealand embassy can help
New Zealand embassies, high commissions and consulates are there to help New Zealand citizens when they’re having difficulty overseas.
Find a New Zealand embassy
A New Zealand consular officer can:
- Work with police to notify next of kin of a death.
- Help the deceased’s family handle the remains, either locally or by repatriation of remains or ashes to New Zealand.
- Provide contact details for local funeral directors, who can manage the funeral or repatriation arrangements.
A New Zealand consular officer cannot:
- Get involved in, or speed up, procedures that are required by local law enforcement after a death, such as autopsies or post-mortems.
- Pay for funeral expenses, repatriation of remains, or return of personal effects.
- Investigate the cause of a death.
More information
Advice from the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand
Manaaki Tāngata Victim Support
Support after the loss of a loved one from Te Hokinga ā Wairua
Information on importing human remains from New Zealand Customs Service
Information on Funeral Grants from Work and Income
Information on financial support if someone has died from an injury from ACC
How to let Inland Revenue know if someone has died
