If someone dies in Thailand

Reporting the death

Report to local police (especially for tourist deaths) and the hospital; the death certificate is issued by the district office (Amphur).

The local death certificate

Thai death certificate; needs translation + legalisation for use abroad.

Bringing them home

Via international funeral directors with embalming; it can be costly and slow.

A local funeral

Cremation is very common (Buddhist tradition); burial options are limited.

The embassy or consulate

Involve the embassy early — it can guide the police/paperwork sequence.

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.