When someone dies in Iceland
Information to help the family and friends of British nationals who have died in Iceland.
When someone dies in Iceland
The process when a British national dies in Iceland, 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 whether they had insurance.
The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Iceland 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 at the local Icelandic registry office. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you will receive a death certificate (Dánarvottorð). You can ask for an English version with an English translation. Icelandic death certificates do not state the cause of death.
It is worth requesting extra copies of the death certificate, as you may need to provide them to various organisations later.
Post mortems in Iceland
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body.
There may be a post mortem in Iceland 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 informed if this happens.
If organs are removed, they will normally be returned before the body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances, body parts may be retained without permission if further investigation is required.
Post mortem reports are not usually provided to the next of kin. If you have a lawyer, they can apply for a copy.
Burying or cremating the body in Iceland
You will need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Iceland. Your funeral director can provide advice.
You should not have the person cremated abroad if you want a coroner in England and Wales to conduct an inquest into the death. In Scotland, a further investigation may still be possible.
Bringing the body to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Iceland.
When taking the body to the UK from Iceland, you will normally need:
- death certificate, apostille-certified
- nortuary certificate
- passport of the deceased
- embalming certificate
- medical letter confirming there are no signs of infectious, contagious or communicable disease
- consignee details at the destination airport (name and address of the funeral director in the destination country)
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Iceland, you will normally need:
- death certificate
- cremation certificate
- passport of the deceased
- to follow Icelandic regulations regarding the transport of ashes. Your funeral director can provide further information.
- to notify the airline in advance
Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK
Ask your funeral director for advice if you cannot take the ashes yourself. It may not be possible to send ashes by post or courier.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally returned to the next of kin or held by the Icelandic police.
If the deceased was an Icelandic resident, you may not be able to take possession of the belongings immediately, as they may form part of the estate. Seek legal advice if this happens.
Belongings may be retained as evidence if there is an investigation into the death. They will normally be returned once the legal proceedings have concluded.
Finding an Icelandic translator
Check the list of official translators and interpreters in Iceland.
The embassy in Iceland cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding an Icelandic lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Icelandic legal system when someone has died.
Check the list of English-speaking lawyers in Iceland.
The embassy in Iceland cannot provide legal advice or pay legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
Although you do not need to register the death in the UK, you should notify the relevant UK authorities.
Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad for more information.
Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
- In the UK, call +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
- Read about how to get help from the UK government abroad.