The Bureau of Consular Affairs will locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death and provide information on how to arrange for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. law, local laws of the country where the individual died, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the next-of-kin to convey instructions to the appropriate offices within the foreign country and provide information to the family on how to transmit the necessary private funds to cover the costs overseas. The Department of State has no funds to assist in the return of remains or ashes of U.S. citizens who die abroad.

Upon issuance of a local death certificate, we will prepare a Consular Report of the Death of an American Abroad. Copies of that report are provided to the next-of-kin or legal representative and may be used in U.S. courts to settle estate matters.

A U.S. consular officer overseas has statutory responsibility for the personal estate of a U.S. citizen who dies abroad if the deceased has no legal representative or next-of-kin in the country where the death occurred, subject to local law.  In that situation the consular officer takes possession of personal effects, such as jewelry, personal documents and papers, and clothing.  The officer prepares an inventory of the personal effects and then carries out instructions from the legal representative or next-of-kin concerning the effects.

If shipment of remains is desired, the American Embassy, Consular Section, stands ready to assist in every possible way. Please contact us at:

Phone:  +420 257 022 000; +420 257 022 023; +420 257 022 065
Email:  ACSPRG@state.gov

The Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad is a document that is necessary to settle legal and estate matters in the United States. The American Citizen Services Section of the U.S. Embassy in Prague can issue up to 20 copies of the Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen, originally signed and sealed by the Consular Officer. Please provide the American Citizen Services with the below information about the deceased. Please also send in the deceased’s Czech death certificate (Úmrtní  list) or a statement from a doctor regarding the cause of death and the deceased’s U.S. passport.

1. Full name
2. Social Security Number
3. Date and place of birth
4. Date of death
5. Place of death and place of burial
6. Last U.S. address
7. Last Czech address
8. Closest relative’s full name, address, telephone number, email and relationship to the deceased
9. Full name and address of a person who is in possession the deceased’s effects/property
10. Disposition of Remains

DISCLAIMER:  The U.S. Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the funeral directors, morticians and other service providers.

Below are addresses and contact information of funeral homes in Prague that might assist with disposition of remains/ashes.

Pegas
Kubelikova 22
130 00 Praha 3
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 800 176 423; +420 222 212 684
Foreign Repatriation: +420 606 614 013; +420 606 614 089
24 Hr Line: +420 725 900 800
Fax: +420 224 942 048
pegas@pegascz.com
www.pohrebpegas.cz

Elpis
Na Bělidle 302/27
15000 Prague 5
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 602 200 700; +420 608 200 701; +420 777 200 793; +420 800 100 359
reditelsvi@elpis.cz
dispecink@elpis.cz
www.krematorium.cz

Pohřební ústav hlavního města Prahy
Pobřežní 72
186 00 Praha 8
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 800 101 050; +420 222 861 157; +420 215 260
Fax: +420 224 819 185
pohrustav@pohrustav.cz, lacinova@pohrustav.cz, panek@pohrustav.cz
www.pohrustav.cz

Helfi
Sokolska 46
120 00  Praha 2
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 602 210 601
helfi@helfi.cz
www.helfi.cz

Repatriation Costs

The cost of funeral services in the Czech Republic listed below was obtained as an average of prices charged by mortuary corporations in Prague. Shipment of ashes abroad is likewise performed by the funeral homes to which urns from individual crematoriums are sent. Prices vary considerably because of the wide range of coffins and caskets available. The shipment cost is determined by the airline after the remains are accepted for shipment. This varies according to weight and final destination.

All dollar costs have been converted from the cost in local currency at the rate of exchange of $1.00 = 24 Czech Crowns. (Rate as of June 2020, subject to change.)

Transportation – When death occurs in the interior of the Czech Republic, the remains are usually transferred to Prague for preparation/air transportation. Transportation by car is charged for the round trip from Prague to the location of the remains, and return. Contact the Funeral Home for additional information.

Autopsy – Autopsies are not generally common in the Czech Republic when someone has died due to natural causes. When death has occurred under unusual or unknown circumstances, such as a death in a private residence or hotel, Czech authorities may order an autopsy to determine the cause of death.