Report of Death

Notification

The Embassy is notified of the death of an American citizen by a relative, traveling companion, the China International Travel Services (CITS), the Public Security Bureau (PSB), or the foreign affairs office (Waiban) of a sponsoring organization of the deceased person's travel to China. The Embassy is responsible for notifying the Next of Kin (NOK) and works with the NOK on the disposition of the remains and property.

Checking Chinese Visa Requirements

Tour leaders of tour groups arrange for visitors to have a group visa to enter China. If the deceased and the NOK were with a tour group, the NOK must arrange to have their visa changed to an individual visitor visa. Tour leaders generally assist NOK's to change their visas before the group moves on. Please make sure that the tour leader also leaves the passport of the deceased with the NOK or other approved agent.

Disposition of Remains

The following companies can make all the necessary arrangements for disposition and shipment of remains.

• Medex Assistance Beijing: (8610) 6595-8510 fax: (8610) 6595-8509
• SOS International: (8610) 6462-9112/6462-9100 fax: (8610) 6464-9111 
• World Access: (8610) 6441-4916 fax: (8610) 6441-4911
• Babaoshan Mortuary Home (embalming/cremation): (8610) 8825-7512 (Chinese only)

(Always instruct the morgue or the hospital to keep the remains in cold storage until officially notified as to how to dispose of the remains)

Official Death Certificates Issued by the Embassy

To issue a Report of Death Abroad, the Embassy needs the passport of the deceased and the original death certificate issued by the hospital or the autopsy/police report issued by the local authorities. The NOK is given six original Report of Death Abroad for the use in the United States. The cancelled passport is also returned to the NOK.

Documentation Required to Ship the Cremated Remains

The Consular Mortuary Certificate is required for the shipment of remains, not of ashes. For the shipment of ashes, the cancelled passport, the Report of Death, a translated Chinese death certificate and a cremation certificate, which states that the body has been cremated in accordance with local law and that the urn contains only the remains of the deceased, must accompany the remains.