What to Do When a Citizen of Philippines Dies in United Kingdom: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Medical Certification of Death and Coroner or Procurator Fiscal Clearance in the United Kingdom

   • Expected deaths and hospital deaths: In England and Wales, an attending doctor completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), which must be independently countersigned by an NHS Medical Examiner before being transmitted electronically to the local Register Office [1]. In Scotland, the attending doctor issues the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form 11) [2].
   • Unexpected, sudden, or unexplained deaths outside hospital: Call emergency services on 999 (or NHS 111 when no emergency resuscitation applies) so police and medical personnel can attend. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, sudden or unexplained deaths are referred to the local Coroner, whereas in Scotland they are reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service [1][2]. Civil registration and international transfer permits cannot proceed until the Coroner (via a Coroner interim certificate or release) or Procurator Fiscal issues formal clearance [1][2].
2. 2

   Repatriation Insurance, Funeral Directors in Both Countries, and Philippine Consular Notification

   • Check insurance and Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) coverage first: Before signing an independent funeral contract, check whether the deceased held travel, medical-assistance, or employer repatriation insurance. If the deceased was an active Overseas Filipino Worker, contact the Migrant Workers Office at the embassy, the Department of Migrant Workers (24/7 hotline 1348, email [email protected]), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (email [email protected]) so statutory employer or welfare repatriation support can be activated [6][7].
   • Appointing a coordinating funeral director: You can mandate a UK funeral provider registered with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) to coordinate the preparation and air transport with a Department of Health (DOH)-licensed receiving funeral establishment and mortuary in the Philippines (for example in Metro Manila, Cebu, or Davao) [3][8]. Clarvia provides directory information for orientation and does not endorse, recommend, or rank individual providers.
   • Consular notification: Notify the Philippine Embassy in London (consular phone +44 20 7451 1780, emergency mobile +44 7802 790695) to obtain current requirements for the consular Report of Death and Consular Mortuary Certificate [4].
3. 3

   Civil Death Registration in the United Kingdom, Apostille, and Philippine Civil Registry Recording

   • UK civil registration: Once the Medical Examiner or Coroner/Procurator Fiscal clears the cause of death, register the death at the local Register Office (such as Westminster Register Office in London or the City of Edinburgh Council Registration Service via National Records of Scotland) within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or within 8 days in Scotland [1][2]. Request multiple official certified copies of the UK Death Certificate.
   • Apostille and Philippine registration: Because both the United Kingdom and the Philippines are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, obtain an Apostille on the UK Death Certificate through the UK Legalisation Office [5]. File a Report of Death with the Philippine Embassy in London (generally within 30 days where possible, or via delayed registration with an affidavit of delay) so the record is forwarded through the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Local Civil Registrar (LCRO) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for issuance of a Security Paper (SECPA) Death Certificate [4][8].
4. 4

   International Repatriation to the Philippines Versus Local Burial or Cremation in the United Kingdom

   • International repatriation of the body: Your UK funeral director prepares and embalms the body in a hermetically sealed, zinc-lined casket, obtains a free-from-infection certificate from public health authorities, and secures an Out-of-England Order (Form 104) from the Coroner in England and Wales (or clearance from the Healthcare Improvement Scotland Death Certification Review Service in Scotland) [1][2]. The funeral coordinator submits these documents with the apostilled UK Death Certificate to the Philippine Embassy in London to obtain the Consular Mortuary Certificate, and coordinates entry clearance at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or another port of entry with the Department of Health Bureau of Quarantine [4][9].
   • Repatriation of cremated ashes: If cremation takes place in the United Kingdom, the ashes are placed in a sealed urn accompanied by the UK Death Certificate, Certificate of Cremation, and consular clearance from the Philippine Embassy in London [4][9].
   • Local burial or cremation in the United Kingdom: During civil registration, the registrar issues the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the Green Form in England and Wales, or Form 14 in Scotland) directly to the funeral director so local interment or cremation can proceed [1][2].
5. 5

   Post-Death Notifications, Survivor Benefits, Tax Filings, and Estate Administration in Both Countries

   • United Kingdom notifications, benefits, and probate: When registering the death, ask the registrar for a Tell Us Once reference number (usable within 28 days) to notify HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Passport Office, DVLA, and local councils in one step [10]. Eligible surviving partners in the UK or abroad may claim Bereavement Support Payment or survivor pension entitlements through the Department for Work and Pensions (Bereavement Service phone +44 800 151 2012, or via the International Pension Centre) [11][12]. If the deceased held UK bank accounts or property in their sole name, the executor or administrator applies for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration) in England and Wales, or Confirmation through the Sheriff Court in Scotland [2][13].
   • Philippines benefits, pensions, and estate settlement: In the Philippines, eligible survivors or the person who paid funeral expenses can claim funeral and death benefits from the Social Security System (or GSIS for government employees), alongside PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration death and burial benefits for active OFW members [7][14][15]. For Philippine assets, heirs or executors must file an Estate Tax Return (BIR Form 1801) with the Bureau of Internal Revenue within 1 year from the date of death and complete either an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate before a Philippine notary (with newspaper publication) or judicial probate [16].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Register a death in England and Wales — GOV.UK
2. [2]
   Registering a death in Scotland — National Records of Scotland
3. [3]
   Find a Funeral Director Directory — National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
4. [4]
   Philippine Embassy in London Consular Services — Department of Foreign Affairs - Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom
5. [5]
   Get your document legalised (Apostille) — GOV.UK / Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6. [6]
   DMW AKSYON Fund and Repatriation Assistance for OFWs — Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
7. [7]
   OWWA Programs and Services (Death and Burial Benefits) — Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
8. [8]
   PSA Death Certificate Application and Civil Registry Guidelines — PSAHelpline / Philippine Statistics Authority
9. [9]
   Bureau of Quarantine Services and Clearances — Department of Health Bureau of Quarantine
10. [10]
    What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once — GOV.UK
11. [11]
    Bereavement Support Payment — GOV.UK / Department for Work and Pensions
12. [12]
    International Pension Centre — GOV.UK / Department for Work and Pensions
13. [13]
    Applying for probate — GOV.UK / HM Courts & Tribunals Service
14. [14]
    Guidelines on the Payment of SSS Funeral Benefit (Circular No. 2023-009) — Social Security System (SSS)
15. [15]
    Online Filing of SSS Death Benefit Claims — Social Security System (SSS)
16. [16]
    Estate Tax Return Requirements (BIR Form 1801) — Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)