If someone dies in New Zealand
English-language process; distance drives cost.
Reporting the death
Registered with Births, Deaths & Marriages via a funeral director; a sudden death is referred to the coroner.
The local death certificate
New Zealand death certificate (English).
Bringing them home
Long-haul and costly; local cremation/burial available.
A local funeral
Burial and cremation available.
The embassy or consulate
Consulate assists for foreign nationals.
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.