When someone dies in Papua New Guinea
The process when a British national dies in Papua New Guinea, 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 Papua New Guinea 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 Registrar General, Registration Office at the Papua New Guinea Civil and Identity Registry. Your funeral director can normally do this for you.
You will need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- birth certificate, showing their place of birth and parents’ names
- medical certificate – a medical certificate by the medical practitioner who attended to or last viewed the person who died
- coroner’s report
- post-mortem report (if applicable)
- warrant of burial or cremation certificate
- police report
- official identity document (for example their British passport)
- spouse’s details (if applicable)
- marriage certificate (if applicable)
- divorce papers (if applicable)
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate issued in English, though this may differ depending on where you are in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea death certificates do give the cause of death. It is worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.
Post mortems in Papua New Guinea
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There will usually only be a post mortem in Papua New Guinea for criminal investigation purposes, when the cause of death is unknown or at the request of family. Post mortem examinations can be performed either at the Port Moresby General Hospital or at The Funeral Home, Port Moresby. Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be considered.
Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. If you have a local lawyer or the person who died had insurance, they can apply for a copy or speak with your funeral director about receiving a copy.
Burying or cremating the body in Papua New Guinea
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Papua New Guinea. The exact rules on burials and cremations may be different depending on where you are in Papua New Guinea due to limited mortuary services outside Port Moresby, Goroka or Lae. Cremation is uncommon in Papua New Guinea but is available. Plots at Nine Mile Cemetary outside of Port Moresby can be purchased for burial from the National Capital District Commission (Department of Health) and payment for a plot can be made directly at the Bank of South Pacific. Your funeral director can give you further advice.
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 Papua New Guinea.
When taking the person’s body to the UK from Papua New Guinea you will need to:
- show the death certificate
- get permission to remove the person’s body, issued by a coroner
- show the passport of the person who died
- tell a coroner in England if the death was violent or unnatural
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK. There may be different rules or availability of services depending on where you are in Papua New Guinea.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Papua New Guinea, you will need to:
- show the death certificate
- show the cremation certificate
- follow local Papua New Guinea regulations about leaving Papua New Guinea 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 usually 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 Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea 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. Belongings will only be returned when the court case is over.
Finding a Papua New Guinea translator
You may need a translator to help you understand Papua New Guinea rules or get documents translated if not issued to you in English. The High Commission in Papua New Guinea cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs. See English-speaking lawyers in Papua New Guinea.
Finding a Papua New Guinea lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Papua New Guinea legal system or assist with translating documentation if not issued in English when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in Papua New Guinea.
The High Commission in Papua New Guinea 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