Guidance

Mongolia: bereavement information pack

Updated 11 August 2023

The following information has been prepared by the British Embassy in Mongolia for the convenience of British nationals who may require advice and assistance in the event of a death in Mongolia. It is provided on the understanding that we (the British Embassy in Mongolia) do not assume or undertake any legal responsibility, to you, or those affected, if you choose to take any form of action on the basis of this information.

Further and alternatively, we cannot accept any liability to any person or company for any financial loss or damage arising from the use of this information or from any failure to give information.

Our aim is to provide British nationals with relevant information to enable them to make better informed decisions, but our lists are not recommendations and should not be treated as such.

Introduction

The death of a relative or friend is always distressing, but if it happens overseas the distress can be made worse by practical problems. An already traumatic experience may be exacerbated due to unfamiliarity with procedures in foreign countries, or the existence of a language barrier.

The Consular Directorate of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) including the British Embassy is ready to help.

The Bereavement in Mongolia information pack is intended to explain what practical support British consular staff can offer you, and what you need to do yourself.

Up-to-date information is also available on the gov.uk website.

See information specific to death overseas.

Contacts for consular support

If you are calling from within Mongolia the contact details below should be used:

The Consular section of the British Embassy Ulaanbaatar

Unit 1-3A, Level-19,
Shangrila-Offices, Shangri-La Centre,
Olympic Street 19A, Sukhbaatar district,
Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia
Tel: +976 (11)458133
Email: consular.mongolia@FCDO.gov.uk

If you are calling from within the UK, please contact the Consular Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London at +44 (0)20 7008 1500.

If calling out of hours, you can contact the Global Response Centre 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Dial +44 (0)20 7008 1500 and ask for the Global Response Centre.

The Global Response Centre (GRC) provides 24/7 capability for the FCDO. The GRC is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, maintaining a professional out-of-hours service to the public, ministers, senior officials and the FCDO network.

What we can do to help

• keep the next of kin informed, and try to ensure you don’t feel that you are on your own
• offer advice on local procedures^{[footnote 1]} (e.g. local cremation or repatriation of remains)
• provide a list of local and international funeral directors
• advise you on how to apply to register the death with the UK authorities^{[footnote 2]}
• advise you on how to transfer money from friends and relatives in the UK or another third country to pay any necessary costs
• draft a letter to the relevant Mongolian immigration authorities, requesting that the visa applications of immediate family members wishing to travel to Mongolia be fast-tracked^{[footnote 3]}

What we cannot do

• investigate an alleged crime
• pay hospital bills
• pay cremation or repatriation costs
• pay any outstanding debts
• offer legal advice
• store or send back to the UK the deceased’s personal effects
• negotiate with insurance companies

What you can do

• provide us with as much information as possible about the deceased:
• full name
• date of birth
• place of birth
• a copy of their birth certificate
• address
• passport number
• a copy of their passport
• where and when their passport was issued
• details of their next of kin (if someone other than yourself)
• contact the deceased’s insurance company
• obtain a local death certificate from the hospital or local State Registration Office
• obtain certified copies of the death certificate from a local Notary Public
• produce relevant documents which prove relationship with the deceased, such as marriage or birth certificates
• make copies of the deceased’s passport details page for future use

Procedures following a death

The following information is intended to provide clarity regarding procedures to be taken following the death of a loved one or friend in Mongolia. Details are not intended to be exhaustive, and are subject to change.

Up-to-date information is also available on the gov.uk website.

Information specific to death overseas can be found under section 8, “Death abroad”.

Decision-making process

If the next of kin is in Mongolia, they may make decisions on issues such as whether the deceased should be repatriated or cremated, and collect documents such as the death certificate themselves.

If the next of kin is not in Mongolia, and does not intend to travel to Mongolia, a letter should be written explicitly stating their wishes regarding how their loved one should be treated. To entrust collection of documents to someone other than the next of kin, a letter of authorisation should be written by the next of kin themselves.

The letter should contain the name, relationship and passport number of the next of kin, as well as the name and passport number (or Mongolian ID number) of the person entrusted to collect the documents. The letter should be signed by next of kin and a photocopy of the details page of their passport should accompany it.

Typically, the proxy would be another family member, friend, or representative of the insurance company or funeral director. If there is no one suitable available to act as proxy, consular staff may fulfil this role.

A copy of the letter should be provided to the British Embassy. Consular staff will then pass this letter to the relevant authorities in an official note.

See the appendix for an example letter of authorisation.

Identifying the person who died

After someone has died, they are usually taken to a mortuary, where they will need to be identified. If the person who died was travelling with a friend or relative, they may be asked to do this.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have seen the person after death. If not, you may wish to travel to Mongolia to view them. Consular staff will be able to offer some guidance, and may accompany you to the mortuary if requested.

Death certificate

It is vital that an official death certificate is obtained. The local death certificate issued in Mongolia will be accepted in the UK, though you may need to obtain a certified translation of the document. This can be done by a local Notary Public or translator. Ask a consular officer to provide you with our list of lawyers and translators in Mongolia.

If a British national passes away in hospital in Mongolia, the hospital will issue a Mongolian language death certificate. It is important that the death certificate specifies the cause of death, and that the death was not caused by infectious diseases. If death was caused by injuries of unknown specification, it may be necessary to obtain clearance from the Police Authority.

If a British national passes away, the local Police Authority must be notified by the hospital or the next of kin to establish the cause of death. Forensic staff may be called on-site to conduct an investigation. If the cause of death cannot be quickly identified, but police are satisfied the death is not the result of violence, they may issue a police death certificate giving “sudden death” as the cause of death.

Police in Mongolia reserve the right to request an autopsy if a death occurs under suspicious circumstances. If an autopsy is requested, the next of kin will need to give approval (either directly or via proxy – for more details see the next section, “Autopsy (post-mortem)”) before a death certificate may be issued by the local police Authority.

Hospitals may withhold death certificates before medicals bills are settled.

Registration

You can also apply to register the death with the UK authorities. You don’t have to do this, but it means the death will be recorded with the General Register Office (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) or the National Records Office (Scotland), and that you can order a consular death registration certificate. See further details on how to register a death abroad.

Autopsy (post-mortem)

Autopsies are required whenever a death of a foreign national occurs in Mongolia. It is done at National Institute of Forensic Science of Mongolia.

Autopsy reports are issued in Mongolian. If it is necessary to obtain a translation, the insurance company may be able to do this; in the absence of insurance, the next of kin should pay for this personally. See the section “Death certificate” for information on obtaining translations.

In conducting autopsies, common practice is that small sections of organs or entire organs are removed from the deceased. Depending on the workload of the mortuary, autopsies can take longer up to 1 month. During this time, the body will not be released for repatriation or other purposes.

Cancellation of British passport and Mongolian visa

It is important that the British passport of the deceased is cancelled, in order to prevent fraudulent use. For information on how to do so, please consult information at the address below. There is a short form to complete which needs to be sent to HM Passport Office along with the passport to be cancelled. See what to do with a passport when the passport holder has died.

The Mongolian visa of the deceased should be cancelled with the Immigration Authority in Mongolia. Doing so will ensure the remains may be released for repatriation to the UK.

If the next of kin is in Mongolia, they can act to cancel the valid Mongolian visa of the deceased via the Immigration Authority and Consular staff can provide the details of the authority. If the next of kin is not in Mongolia, consular staff may arrange for cancellation of the visa.

Disposal of the deceased’s remains

The next of kin should make a decision on whether the deceased should be cremated or repatriated for burial. Burials cannot be performed in Mongolia. The options available are as follows:

• cremation for local disposal in Mongolia
• repatriation of the full remains for burial or cremation in the UK (or another country)
• repatriation of the ashes, following cremation in Mongolia

The latter option may be useful if the next of kin wishes their loved one to be returned to the UK, but due to lack of insurance coverage is unable to pay the higher expense.

If the religious beliefs of the deceased entail a need for the remains to be handled in a specific manner, please inform the funeral director or consular staff as soon as possible.

Repatriation

Funeral directors will be able to arrange repatriation of the deceased’s remains or ashes, once necessary documents such as the death certificate have been provided. You may select a funeral director yourself, or the insurance company may assign one. Please check with the insurer first, as they may have a list of preferred service providers.

Consular staff can provide you with a list of local and international funeral directors. See our list of Funeral Directors in Mongolia.

If the next of kin is in Mongolia, they can act to cancel the valid Mongolian visa of the deceased via the Immigration Authority and Consular staff can provide the details of the authority. If the next of kin is not in Mongolia, consular staff may arrange for cancellation of the visa.

Disposal of the deceased’s remains

The next of kin should make a decision on whether the deceased should be cremated or repatriated for burial. Burials cannot be performed in Mongolia. The options available are as follows:

• cremation for local disposal in Mongolia
• repatriation of the full remains for burial or cremation in the UK (or another country)
• repatriation of the ashes, following cremation in Mongolia

The latter option may be useful if the next of kin wishes their loved one to be returned to the UK, but due to lack of insurance coverage is unable to pay the higher expense.

If the religious beliefs of the deceased entail a need for the remains to be handled in a specific manner, please inform the funeral director or consular staff as soon as possible.

Repatriation

Funeral directors will be able to arrange repatriation of the deceased’s remains or ashes, once necessary documents such as the death certificate have been provided. You may select a funeral director yourself, or the insurance company may assign one. Please check with the insurer first, as they may have a list of preferred service providers.

Consular staff can provide you with a list of local and international funeral directors. See our list of Funeral Directors in Mongolia.

It may be possible to employ a UK-based funeral director of your own choice, if they offer international repatriation services.

Embalming is required if the deceased’s body is to be repatriated. This will be arranged by the funeral director, who will produce an embalming certificate for immigration purposes.

If the religious beliefs of the deceased entail a need for the embalming to be conducted in a specific manner, please inform the funeral director or consular staff as soon as possible.

In the case of repatriating the ashes of the deceased, it may be possible to obtain a certificate from certain airlines allowing the ashes to be carried on board. It is advisable to receive confirmation from an airline in advance, if deciding to choose this option.

In the absence of insurance, repatriation can be an expensive procedure. Funeral directors vary, but in recent instances repatriation of full remains typically costs between 20,000,000 MNT-40,000,000 MNT (roughly equivalent to £6,600 to 13,000). This figure is subject to change, provided only to offer guidance in the decision-making process.

Return of personal effects

In general, the funeral director is assigned responsibility for repatriation of the deceased will not deal with personal belongings, though there may be exceptions. The British Embassy cannot receive or administer personal belongings.

It may be possible for an insurance company to process possessions. Alternatively, the next of kin may provide a letter of authorisation for a third party to handle belongings.

Please note that there are certain items which couriers are unable to transport, including but not limited to: cash, credit cards, mechanical watches, and items containing strong magnets or batteries, explosive or dangerous items.

Insurers

If the deceased has insurance, you should make contact with the insurance company as soon as possible. The insurer may be able to assist in much of the necessary arrangements, cover the costs of these arrangements, and provide trusted service providers such as funeral directors.

It may be possible to appoint an insurance company representative with authorisation to perform tasks such as collection of the death certificate, if the next of kin is not able to do so themselves. If the next of kin wishes to do this, it is advised to notify the insurer and consular staff as soon as possible, to reduce any potential delays in obtaining authorisation.

Consular staff may be able to assist you in liaising with the insurance company. However, please note that the British Embassy cannot negotiate with insurance companies. In the absence of suitable insurance, the next of kin is expected to cover the cost of any expenses incurred.

Transfer of funds

In the event that it is necessary for the next of kin to send funds to Mongolia, for example if the deceased is uninsured and payment is required for medical or repatriation fees, payment should be made directly to the recipient (e.g. a hospital or funeral director).

Family and friends anywhere in the world can transfer money via commercial money transfer companies, for example, Western Union, MoneyGram or banks.

Tell us Once

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Tell Us Once will notify:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – to deal with tax and cancel benefits
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – to cancel benefits, e.g. income support
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) – to cancel a driving licence
• Passport Office – to cancel a passport^{[footnote 4]}
• the local council – to cancel housing benefit, council tax benefit, a Blue Badge, inform council housing services and remove the deceased from the electoral register

Read more information on Tell Us Once service.

Legal aid

If you require legal assistance within Mongolia, you may consult our list of lawyers.

Please note that the FCDO including consular staff are not able to provide recommendations regarding any particular service provider. Inclusion in this list should not be taken as approval by the FCDO of any particular legal service provider.

Media handling

Neither the British Embassy nor any other aspect of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, will release information on a deceased British national to the press, unless specifically asked to do so by the next of kin.

Some deaths (especially those which occur under unusual circumstances or as a result of accidents or murders) may attract media attention. If you are contacted by media representatives and are not willing, or able, to deal with them yourself, you should ask them to contact either the Press & Public Affairs Office of the British Embassy Ulaanbaatar at:

Olympic Street 19A
Sukhbaataar District
Ulaanbaatar 14241
Tel: +976 (11)458133)

or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London by dialling +44 (0)20 7270 1500. Both of these offices have fully trained staff with experience of dealing with the media.

You should avoid speaking to the media in any context if the next of kin has not yet been informed of the death. This includes questions over the validity or falsity of rumours, and the personal details of any involved in the incident.

If you think there has been inappropriate press comment or interest, you may wish to contact:

Press Complaints Commission
Halton House
20/23 Holborn
London EC1N 2JD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 0022
Email: complaints@pcc.org.uk
http://www.pcc.org.uk/

Other useful contacts

The following contacts may be able to provide support to you during times of bereavement, or assist in carrying out necessary arrangements following a death. Please note that inclusion in this list is strictly for information purposes, and is by no means an endorsement or guarantee of the quality of their services.

In the UK:

• your family doctor
• your local Social Services
• the Bereavement Register: +44 (0)870 600 7222
• British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy: +44 (0)870 443 5252
• Child Bereavement Charity: +44 (0)14 9444 6648
• Citizens Advice Bureau: +44 (0)845 123 2304
• the Compassionate Friends: +44 (0)845 123 2304
• Cruse Bereavement Care: +44 (0)844 477 9400
• Inquest: +44 (0)20 7263 1111
• Samaritans: +44 (0)8457 90 90 90
• Sudden Death
• Support After Murder and Manslaughter: +44 (0)845 123 2384
• Victim Support: +44 (0)845 30 30 900

Visa to travel to Mongolia

If the next of kin or other immediate family members wish to travel to Mongolia, a Mongolian visa will be required. If needed, consular staff may provide an official letter requesting that the application be fast-tracked.

However, please be aware that we are limited to being able to submit a request on compassionate grounds, and cannot make guarantees related to visa issuance or timeframes.

Mongolian Embassy in London

Visa section opening hours

Opening days: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Opening hours for submitting applications: 10am to 12pm (except Mongolian public holidays).

Opening hours for collecting visas: 4pm to 4:30pm (except Mongolian public holidays).

Email: for general enquiries, contact mail to office@embassyofmongolia.co.uk and visa enquiries, mail to visa@embassyofmongolia.co.uk.

Phone: +44 (0)2079370150

Mongolian Embassy Beijing

No 2, Xiu Shui Bei Jie,
Jian Guo Men Wai,
Beijing 100600

Visa section opening hours

Opening days: Monday to Friday

Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (except Mongolian public holidays).

Email: beijing@mfa.gov.mn

Phone: (+86) 010-65321203, 010-65326512, 010-65326513

Website: http://beijing.mfa.gov.mn/

Immigration of Mongolia and Consular Section in Ministry of Foreign Affairs

When you are in Mongolia either you or the deceased’s organisation in Mongolia will need to contact the Immigration of Mongolia, to cancel the deceased’s Mongolian visa. We have included details for Consular section in MFA in the event that further information is needed.

Immigration Agency of Mongolia

Khan-Uul District, Ulaanbaatar city

Tel: 976-1800-1882

Email: info@immigration.gov.mn

Consular section in Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Peace Avenue-7A, Ulaanbaatar city

Tel: 976-62262222

Email: info@mfa.gov.mn

Appendix

• letter of authorisation

1. It is not possible to arrange a local burial in Mongolia. Cremation is the only local option available, or repatriation of full remains or ashes to the UK. ↩

2. There is no obligation to apply to register the death with the UK authorities. You don’t have to do this doing it means the death will be recorded with the General Register Offices (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and the National Records Office of Scotland and you can obtain a UK-style death certificate in English. Local death certificates are in Mongolian only. ↩

3. Please note that we cannot make any guarantees regarding visa applications to Mongolia or the UK. ↩

4. Passports will normally be cancelled by consular officers prior to repatriation of the deceased. ↩