When someone dies in Indonesia
The process when a British national dies in Indonesia, including registering the death, funerals and cremations, and bringing the person’s body to the UK.
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 Indonesia 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 died due to a road traffic collision in Indonesia, the next of kin may be eligible to receive compensation from the local state-owned insurance company called Jasa Raharja. Information regarding Jasa Raharja can be found on the following link: Service - PT Jasa Raharja.
Registering the death
The death must be registered at the local registry office in Indonesia (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil), depending on where the death happened. Your funeral director can normally do this for you. You, as the next of kin, will need to give authorisation to the funeral director to act upon your behalf.
You will need information and documents about the person who has died including their:
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birth certificates, showing their place of birth and parents’ name
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religion
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official identity document (for example their British passport)
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spouse’s details (if applicable)
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marriage certificate (if applicable)
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divorce papers (if applicable)
In Indonesia, the next of kin is usually a family member who is named in the family card and in the legal will such as:
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spouse
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adult child (i.e. over 18 years old)
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parent
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adult sibling (i.e. over 18 years old)
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an adult with a sufficiently strong relationship to the deceased
An ex-spouse, partner, same-sex partner, or civil partner is not regarded as next of kin in Indonesia.
If there is a dispute over the next of kin, you can refer to a notary public or a lawyer for further advice. You can find list of notaries public in Indonesia and list of lawyers in Indonesia here.
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate from the local registry office in Indonesia (Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil). The death certificate is in Indonesian and English.
It’s worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.
The death certificate will include information about the person who died including their nationality, the location and date of the death, and the date of birth. The official death certificate does not contain any information about the cause of death.
Post mortems in Indonesia
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Indonesia if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. A post mortem will be carried out with the consent/request from the next of kin, but in some cases the police might override them.
If the person passed away outside the hospital, cause of death can only be determined through a post mortem.
If a post mortem is conducted, you will likely have to cover the cost. It usually costs around £300 to £1000.
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.
If a post mortem is carried out, the hospital will issue a report that will be shared to the family or to the police depending on who requests the post mortem. In the case where the post mortem is requested by the police, the report may only be obtained with their permission. Funeral directors can request a copy of the report from the police on your behalf.
Burying or cremating the body in Indonesia
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Indonesia. The exact rules on burials and cremations may be different depending on where you are in Indonesia. Your funeral director can give you advice.
The next of kin holds the right to decide when a burial or cremation is held. The local authority may require you to present a letter of no objection from the British Embassy or Consulate before the burial or cremation can take place. Check with your funeral director if a letter of no objection from the embassy is needed. To issue a letter of no objection, we will need to see:
- written death confirmation or notification from the hospital or the police
- proof of your relationship with the person who died (e.g. marriage certificate or birth certificate)
- your valid ID (e.g. passport or Indonesian ID card/KTP)
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 Indonesia. The funeral director can help obtaining all the necessary documents and permissions from the local authorities as well as liaising with the airlines.
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK. Your funeral director can normally help make all the necessary arrangements for you.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Indonesia, you will need to
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liaise with your funeral director as they can help obtaining the necessary permission in advance such as permission from the Port Health Authority
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show original or copy passport of the person who died
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show the death notification/certificate
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show the cremation certificate
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follow local Indonesian regulations about leaving Indonesia with ashes - your funeral director can give you more information
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tell the airlines 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.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the Indonesian 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 an Indonesian 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. They will only be returned when the court case is over.
Finding a Bahasa Indonesian translator
You may need a translator to help you understand Indonesian rules or get documents translated. Check for an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Indonesia. The embassy or consulate in Indonesia cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding an Indonesian lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Indonesian legal system when someone has died. Check English speaking lawyers in Indonesia. The embassy or consulate in Indonesia 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:
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in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000