What to do following a bereavement in Spain

Next steps

During this challenging time, certain administrative tasks must be completed, and we are here to assist you through each step:

• Provide identification documentation such as the TIE or passport of the deceased to the relevant authorities, whether they are the police, doctor, or the funeral director’s agent.
• The next of kin will need to provide specific details about the deceased, including parental names and place of birth. Signing essential authorisations for the funeral process is also necessary. A copy of the declarant’s ID will be required for these proceedings.
• The funeral director will manage the registration in the Civil Registry and will subsequently acquire the death certificates, both national and international, on your behalf.
• Please be aware that due to data protection laws, the cause of passing will not be disclosed in the death certificates.
• Notifying the UK authorities. You do not have to register the death of a British national that occurs overseas with the UK authorities. You may, however, apply for a consular death registration. This is not mandatory and cannot be used instead of a death certificate from the country where the person died. If you wish to do this, you can find more information on registering a death and apply online. If the person dies in Spain and you need to notify UK organisations yourself, you can do that here: “What to do after someone dies“.

Different funeral customs

Funeral practices vary between different countries, and here are some notable differences in funeral customs between the UK and Spain:

• In Europe, funeral directors may wear more casual clothing.
• The time from notification to the collection of the deceased can take a little longer than in the UK.
• In the UK funerals typically occur within a few weeks after death. However, in Spain, funerals often take place much sooner, sometimes as soon as 24 hours after death.
• Families in Spain may be asked to identify the body and, though not obligatory, may be invited to view the introduction into the cremator, which can be an uncomfortable experience.
• Unlike the UK, the hearse does not depart from the house in Spain; instead, the family is expected to gather at the tanatorio or chapel.
• Obtaining death certificates in Spain can vary in duration from a few days to several weeks.
• Different terminology, like “incineration” instead of “cremation,” may be used.
• It may be necessary to inform the funeral director in Spain if a civil ceremony is preferred over a religious one, and finding English-speaking celebrants or vicars may be challenging in areas with a limited expat community.
• Catholic services in Spain are usually conducted in Spanish.
• Family members often car-share or arrange their transportation to the funeral in Spain, as cars for family are not commonly used.

At Avalon, we extend our deepest condolences and are committed to assisting you in these difficult procedures. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or require further guidance.