Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen in China

Reporting the Death of an American Citizen

The death of an American citizen in China, whether resident or tourist, should be reported to the Consulate as soon as possible. The Consulate will notify the next-of-kin and can make necessary arrangements regarding the disposition of mortal remains and personal effects.

During working hours the appropriate Consulate office is the American Citizen Services Unit (Tel: (86-20) 8518-7605). After working hours, the Consulate duty officer should be contacted as soon as possible at (86-20) 8121-8000. The Consulate will notify the next-of-kin of the death of an American citizen if necessary. Therefore, we need to know the deceased person’s name, date and place of birth, passport number, date and place of death, cause of death, and the location of the remains. We also need the full name and address of the next-of-kin so that we can determine the instructions regarding arrangements for the deceased.

Disposition of Remains

To ship the remains back to the States, the best way is to use the following companies that can make all the necessary arrangements for shipment.

Zhong Hua Company
17/F Taishing Commercial Building, 498-500 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2770-8882           Fax: (852) 2770-9100

MEDEX Assistance Corporation
www.medexassist.com
a.    Headquarters and U.S. Coordination Center
       8501 LaSalle Road
       Suite 200
       Towson, MD 21286, U.S.A.

       Tel:  410-453-6300 (Administration)
       Tel: 410-453-6330 (Operations – 24 hours, accept all collect calls)
       Fax: 410-453-6301; 410-453-6331
       E-Mail: info@medexassist.com;

b.    Beijing Assistance - Beijing
       871 Poly Plaza, 14 South Dongzhimen, Beijing, China 100027
       Tel:  (86-10) 6595-8510
       Toll free numbers from China (North: Beijing, etc): 108888-800-527-0218
       Toll free numbers from China (South: Shanghai, etc): 10811-800-527-0218
       Fax: (86-10) 6595-8509
       E-Mail: Operations@medexassist.com
                                
 
International SOS
www.internationalsos.com
a.    International SOS Hong Kong Limited
       16 /F World Trade Center 280 Gloucester Road Causeway Bay, Hong Kong (SAR) 
       Tel:  (852) 2528-9900  (24-hour Alarm Center)
               (852) 2528-9998  (General Line)
       Fax: (852) 2528-9933
 
b.    Beijing International (SOS) Clinic
       Building C, BITIC Leasing Center, No. 1 North Road, Xing Fu San Cun
       Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027
       Tel:   (86-10) 6462-9100 (24-hour Alarm Center)
             (86-10) 6462-9112 (Clinic)
       Fax:  (86-10) 6462-9111; (86-10) 6462-9188

Estimated Costs of Mortuary Services in South China

Cremation and shipment of cremated remains, Guangzhou to U.S., costs approximately US$600 – US$700, plus any applicable service fees.

Preparation and air shipment of remains, Guangzhou to U.S., costs approximately US$10,000 (Zhong Hua Company) up to US$20,000 for emergency assistance companies.

These estimated costs may vary depending on the specific circumstances, location of the death and the destination State in the U.S.  The varying exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and local currency RMB will also affect these costs.

Documentation Required to Ship Embalmed Remains

If the remains are to be shipped to the United States, the Consulate will issue a Consular Mortuary Certificate that will accompany the remains. To assist the Consulate in preparing the Mortuary Certificate, the following documents must be submitted:
1) An official death certificate;
2) An exit permit issued by local quarantine service, and
3) A certificate from the mortuary stating that the body has been embalmed in accordance with local practice and that only human remains are in the casket.

We also need information about the confirmed airline booking, including name of the airline, port of departure from China, port of entry into the U.S. and the destination State in the U.S.

Documentation Required to Ship the Cremated Remains

The Consulate Mortuary Certificate is not required in this case. However, an official death certificate with English translation and a cremation certificate must accompany the cremated remains.

Consular Report of Death Issued by the Consulate

The Consulate prepares a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad for each American citizen who dies in the Consulate’s consular district and whose death is reported to the Consulate. This document will assist the next-of-kin with legal matters that may arise as the result of death. Up to twenty original Reports of Death will be issued.  The following information and documents must be provided before issuing the Report of Death:

• The deceased’s permanent address in the U.S., and temporary or permanent address abroad
• The deceased’s Social Security number
•  Disposition of the remains (whether the remains are cremated or prepared and returned to the U.S.)                                                          
• Next of kin’s name and address in the U.S.
• The passport of the deceased              
• The original death certificate issued by the local hospital or Police Bureau

American Citizen Services
U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou
Tel: (86-20) 8518-7605
Fax: (86-20) 3884-4410
E-mail: GuangzhouACS@state.gov