When someone dies in Armenia
The process when a British national dies in Armenia, including registering the death, funerals and cremations, and bringing the person’s body to the UK.
Contacting the insurance company
If the person who died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad if you’re not sure if they had insurance.
The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Armenia and the UK. They may also cover the cost of bringing the person’s body to the UK (repatriation) and help with any medical, legal, interpretation and translation fees.
Registering the death
The death must be registered with the Civic Status Registration Department. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.
To register the death in Armenia, you should submit:
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a completed application form
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a medical death certificate
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an official identity document of the person who died (for example their British passport)
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a court judgement confirming the death if one was issued
To submit the application, you will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
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birth certificate, showing their place of birth and parents’ names
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religion
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spouse’s details (if applicable)
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marriage certificate (if applicable)
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divorce papers (if applicable)
The Armenian authorities complete registration on the same day you submit the documents. Registration is a free service.
You can register the death online (in Armenian) or go in person to the Civic Status Registration Department at Special Service of Population Community Non-Profit Organisation:
Erebuni Street
6/1 Building
Yerevan
Telephone: +374 (0)10 439216 or +374 (0)10 430062
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, as next of kin, you will receive the death certificate. Someone representing you (for example, a lawyer) can also do this. They will need to provide proof you’ve authorised them.
Armenian long-form death certificates give the cause of death.
It’s worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.
You may need the death certificate or a certified copy for:
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settling an estate
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insurance purposes
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access to or termination of government services, for example, a health card, pension or voters’ list
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genealogy searches
Anyone can apply for a death certificate. They must have a document showing they have a lawful right or claim if they are not the person’s:
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spouse
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parent
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child
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sibling
For example, a lawful right or claim would be someone needing the death certificate to claim a benefit. They would need to show an official letter from the agency asking for this information.
Post mortems in Armenia
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Armenia if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent.
Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. Small tissue samples and organs may be removed for testing without the family’s permission. You will not automatically be told if this happens.
If organs are removed, they will normally be returned before the person’s body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances body parts may be kept without permission. This might happen if further investigation is needed. The next of kin will be told if this happens.
Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. If you have a lawyer, they can apply for a copy.
Mortuary facilities are available in Yerevan and large cities such as Gyumri, Vanadzor and Armavir. In some regions the facilities may not be consistent with the standards in Yerevan.
Burying the body in Armenia
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial in Armenia.
There are no cremation facilities in Armenia.
Bringing the body to the UK
Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Armenia.
When taking the person’s body to the UK from Armenia, you will need to:
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show the death certificate
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get permission to remove the person’s body
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show the passport of the person who died
You should consider contacting an international funeral director in the UK to organise repatriation.
You or your funeral director will need to contact the airline. The main airlines with cargo services are:
Qatar Airways (represented by Flydubai)
Phone: +374 (0)11 331111, +374 (0)10 561085, +374 (0)94 310310 or +374 (0)98 310310
Air France
Phone: +374 (0)60 612277 or +374 (0)60 612288
Aeroflot
Phone: +374 (0)10 532131
Austrian Airlines
Phone: +374 (0)60 612201, +374 (0)60 612202 or +374 (0)60 612232 (cargo transportation)
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the Armenian police.
If you bring the person’s body to the UK, you can ask your local funeral director to collect all the belongings and transport them together.
If they were an Armenian resident you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice if this happens.
Belongings may be kept as evidence if there is an investigation into the death. They will only be returned when the court case is over.
Finding an Armenian translator
You may need a translator. Check official translators in Armenia.
The embassy in Armenia cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding an Armenian lawyer
You may need a lawyer. Check English-speaking lawyers in Armenia.
The embassy in Armenia cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
Although you do not have to register the death in the UK, when someone dies abroad you still need to tell the UK authorities.
Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad.
Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
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in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000