How to register a death in Luxembourg

The death of a relative or a friend can be a traumatic experience. When the death occurs overseas, family and friends in the UK can feel additional distress as they are unfamiliar with foreign procedures maybe unable to communicate in the language of the country where the death occurred.

These notes are designed to help you through the practical arrangements you will need to make. Luxembourg procedures differ significantly from those in the United Kingdom.

One fact you should be aware of, is that a death in Luxembourg needs to be registered at the commune (town council) that same day, or as soon as possible thereafter.   There is also a requirement that burial or cremation takes place within 72 hours of death, unless there are exceptional circumstances, for instance an autopsy needs to be carried out.   Your doctor will advise further and provide a death certificate. You can get a list of the procedures from your local commune.

Funeral service

If you would like a funeral service in English at the Anglican Church, please contact the Reverend Chris Lyon on 43 95 93. For a funeral service in English at the Roman Catholic Church please contact Father Eamonn Breslin on 47 00 39.

Although not obligatory, it is possible to register the death of a British national who has died in Luxembourg at the British Embassy in Luxembourg.

There is an advantage in having a Death Certificate in English should you wish to repatriate the body to the UK, or to an English-speaking country. Any death registered at the Embassy in Luxembourg will also be recorded at the General Register Office in the UK.

Come to the Embassy with the relevant documents

If you wish to register the death of a British National in our Consular Register, you must first download and complete the Death Registration Form below. Then come to the Embassy with the relevant documents.

Before registering we need to see evidence of the national status of the person who has died. We can't accept photocopies of documents, but original documents will be returned to you as soon as possible.

We need to see:

• The deceased's local death certificate
• Documentary evidence of deceased's claim to British nationality, for instance his or her British passport

The costs of registration are are follows:

• Registering a death in the Consular Register: €122.00
• Issuing a certified copy of an entry in the Consular Register of deaths: €78.00

Fees are payable in local currency only (we don't accept credit or debit cards or cheques) and are subject to periodic review.

If you are applying from outside Luxembourg, you should contact your nearest British Consulate. if you are applying from within the UK you should contact the Nationality and Passports Section, Consular Division, FCO, Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2AF 020 7008 0186.

If you want to print a copy of these notes for reference use the print icon at the top of the page

Death Registration Form (pdf)