If someone dies in Mexico

Reporting the death

Report to local authorities; a sudden death goes to the Ministerio Público. The acta de defunción is issued via the Registro Civil, usually through a local funeraria.

The local death certificate

Acta de defunción (Spanish); translation/apostille for use abroad.

Bringing them home

Common to the US; requires embalming and a consular mortuary certificate. Costs are significant.

A local funeral

Burial and cremation are both widely available.

The embassy or consulate

Use the home embassy plus a reputable funeraria; the embassy can recommend providers.

True almost anywhere

• Check the travel/health insurance first — repatriation is expensive and is often covered.
• The death is registered where it happens; the local authority issues the death certificate.
• To use that certificate back home you usually need an official translation and an apostille/legalisation.
• The embassy or consulate can advise and liaise, but cannot pay funeral or repatriation costs.
• You generally choose between repatriating the body or ashes home, or a local burial/cremation.