When someone dies in Kenya
The process when a British national dies in Kenya, 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 Kenya 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 Kenyan authorities. This can be done through the Civil Registration Office or the local Huduma centre. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.
You will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- Passport/ID of the deceased
- Burial permit
- Place of death
- Cause of death
- Name as shown on ID
- Date of death
- Age
- Occupation
- Address
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate The certificate will be in English. Kenyan death certificates show 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.
Post mortems in Kenya
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Kenya if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent.
Deaths that take place outside of a hospital should be reported to the local police.
Payment may be required prior to a post mortem taking place, even where there is a police investigation into the cause of death.
If the next of kin is not present in Kenya, the local authorities may require written permission for a friend or family representative to identify the person who has died prior to the post mortem.
Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. 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 for further analysis, they will not normally be returned. This might happen if further investigation is needed. The next of kin will not normally be told if this happens but it is usually shown on the post mortem report and your funeral director will be able to advise you whether this has occurred.
Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. If you have a lawyer, they can apply for a copy.
Burying or cremating the body in Kenya
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Kenya.
You should not have the person cremated abroad if you want a coroner in England and Wales to conduct an inquest into their death. In Scotland, a further investigation may still be possible.
Bringing the body to the UK
Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Kenya.
When taking the person’s body to the UK from Kenya, the funeral director will arrange the necessary documentation.
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 Kenya you will need to:
- show the death certificate
- show the cremation certificate
- follow local Kenyan regulations about leaving Kenya with ashes - your funeral director can give you more information
- tell 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. You may not be able to send them by post or courier. Ashes can be shipped by air freight, although this can be expensive.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the Kenyan 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 a Kenya 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. These may only be returned when the court case is over. A local lawyer may be able to follow up with the local authorities.
Finding a Kenyan lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Kenyan legal system when someone has died. Check English speaking lawyers in Kenya. The High Commission in Kenya 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 general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad to find out what to do.
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
- see how to get help from the UK government abroad