Formalities Needed if Died in Japan (General)
Question:
A foreign friend of mine died in Japan. What formalities will be needed ? How can we send the body of the deceased to his country ?
Answer:
You must file a death notification to the municipal office within 7 days of finding the death, with a death certificate and identifying documents such as passport. You must also apply for "permission for burial of dead body". Notification to the deceased person's country's diplomatic establishment will be necessary. The alien registration card should be returned within 14 days of death. If the deceased had health insurance or pension, funeral allowance, survivor's pension, lump-sum death benefit and so on will be issued.
(Sending back a dead body)
In a case where the body of the deceased is not cremated for religious or other reasons and is to be sent to the home country, you should present the death certificate to the Embassy or Consulate and have the documents necessary for transportation prepared. You should have the dead body embalmed at a hospital and obtain a certificate to that effect. After that, the coffin must be packed and sealed in the presence of the Consul. Then you can present the certificate of package to an airline or travel agent and arrange transportation.
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