Death of a U.S. Citizen

Death is a time of crisis for one's family and friends no matter where it takes place. If death occurs overseas the experience can be even more traumatic, especially if the procedures involved are not clearly understood.

When reporting a death to us, please tell us, if possible the deceased person's name, date and place of birth, passport number and date and place of death.
You may reach us during normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays) at 011-49-030-83050. The Consulate emergency duty officer can be reached after working hours and on weekends by telephoning
011-49-030-01713537726.

When we learn of the death of an American in Berlin/Brandenburg, we will determine as quickly as possible who the Next of Kin of the deceased is and contact that person by telephone immediately. There are several important things that the Next of Kin must do in conjunction with the Consulate.

We stand ready to carry out the instructions regarding the disposition of the remains. If the Next of Kin is in the U.S. the Consular Section of the US Embassy will take charge of the personal effects of the deceased and compile an inventory. As soon as possible, we will send a copy of the inventory along with information explaining what will be required for the disposition of the belongings.

It is unfortunate at this sad time that we must immediately call your attention to the urgent need for making necessary arrangements relating to the disposition of the deceased’s remains.

German law requires disposition of remains (either cremation or burial) within 96 hours unless the remains are to be shipped outside the country. The following paragraphs explain the options you have for making your decisions.

If the deceased was a retired member of the United States Armed Forces, please let us know and we can put you in touch with the appropriate casualty assistance officer. Burial flags are available from the Veteran’s Administration for most veterans. Contact the VA through their web site for details.

If you decide to have burial take place in Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany, the consular officer and local officials will take every possible care to follow your wishes as to ceremony and site of burial. The cost of preparation and burial in Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany, is approximately $3,800.00. The cost for cremation and disposition of ashes in Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany, is approximately $3,600.00.

If you decide to have the remains returned to the U.S. for burial, the costs will be greater due to the high cost of airfreight and embalming:

a. the total cost for preparation and air shipment to the U.S. is approximately $4,900.00;
b. the cost for preparation, cremation and air shipment of ashes to the U.S. is approximately $3,700.00.

We should point out that preparation and air shipment are carried out in accordance with the laws and facilities available in Germany, which may be different from those in the U.S. For this reason, we recommend that you ask your local funeral director to determine the advisability of viewing the remains.

Please contact the Embassy, Tel: 01149-030-83050 – ConsBerlin@state.gov or the Department of State in Washington, Tel: (202) 647-6126 for detailed instructions on how to transmit the funds.

After all bills for costs incurred in the preparation and shipment of the remains have been received and paid, you will be sent an itemized accounting of final costs. Any balance left will be refunded to you by the Department of State.

Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad

In order to assist you with legal matters that may arise as a result of the death of your relative, a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad prepared by the US Embassy will be forwarded to you as soon as possible. This document is in English and is normally based upon the German death certificate. It can generally be used in U.S. courts to help settle estate matters.

As the Report of Death can only be issued after German authorities complete their documentation of the death, it usually takes approximately two weeks before the Report of Death can be issued. Certified copies will be sent to you and the original will be sent to the Department of State for permanent filing.

Six sealed copies (more if you request) of the Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad, issued at the time of death, will be provided to you free of charge. If in the future you find that you need additional copies, they can be obtained for a fee of thirty dollars for the first copy and twenty dollars for additional copies. If you need additional copies, please send a written request together with a check or money order made payable to the Department of State to the following address:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services Correspondence Branch
1111 19th St., NW, Suite 510
Washington, D.C. 20522-1705

Please do not hesitate to contact the Special Consular Citizens Services Section at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin at: ConsBerlin@state.gov
if you have any further questions.