What to do if…
you learn a loved one has died abroad and you do not know who to contact first

What to do now

1. Write down the essentials.
   Note their full legal name, date of birth, passport details if known, citizenship or immigration status if known, where they were, who told you, when you were told, and every phone number, email address, hotel, hospital, police contact, tour company, or other contact you have been given.

2. Make your first official contact.
   If they were a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where the death happened and ask for American Citizen Services. If you cannot reach the embassy or consulate quickly, call the U.S. Department of State emergency numbers:

   • From the U.S. and Canada: 1-888-407-4747
   • From overseas: +1 202-501-4444

   Say: “I have been told my loved one died abroad. I do not know who to contact first. Please help me reach the right embassy or consulate and verify what is known.” Ask if there is a case reference or a clear way to follow up.

3. Ask what has been confirmed by local authorities.
   Ask the consular officer:

   • Which local authority reported the death, such as a hospital, police department, civil registry, or medical examiner equivalent.
   • Whether the person has been formally identified.
   • What they need from you to confirm next of kin or legal representative status.
   • Whether there are urgent local deadlines or body-handling rules you should know about before making any arrangements.

4. Ask about the U.S. death document.
   Ask what may be needed for a Consular Report of Death Abroad. State Department pages may use CRODA or CRDA for this record. The embassy or consulate may need a foreign death certificate or a finding of death by a competent local authority before the report can be prepared.

5. Verify third-party contacts before acting.
   If a hotel, hospital, tour company, funeral home, transport service, or unknown caller contacted you, use a call-back rule: end the exchange, then contact the embassy, consulate, or State Department through official channels yourself. Keep messages and emails, but do not pay or sign anything until the route has been checked.

6. Ask what arrangements can safely wait.
   U.S. consular staff can provide information about local burial, cremation, shipment of remains or effects, and other arrangements. They can also provide lists of local funeral homes and local lawyers. Ask which decisions are urgent under local rules and which can wait until you have confirmation and another person helping you.

7. Put one trusted person beside you for the next calls.
   Ask one trusted person to sit with you or stay on the phone while you call, take notes, and repeat details back. Give that person the job of writing down names, times, phone numbers, and what each official says.