Death of an American Citizen

In the tragic event of the death of a family member overseas, the Consulate can assist by arranging transport/cremation/burial of the body of the deceased, and by producing the paperwork necessary for family members to settle the deceased’s estate in the U.S. Please see the links below for answers to some commonly asked questions about the death of an American citizen overseas.

Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad

A document issued by an American Embassy or Consulate reflecting the facts of the death abroad of an American citizen. The document is based upon the local death certificate. It is generally required by insurance companies and other entities in the U.S. before in determining the distribution of death benefits. Please follow this link to the Department of State’s website for additional information on Reports of Death Abroad.

Reporting and documenting a death in Vietnam

The above link provides additional detail on how agencies and organizations in Vietnam go about reporting and documenting the death of foreign citizens. It also delves into the role of the U.S. Consulate General in a variety of scenarios.

List of Undertakers in Ho Chi Minh City

Please note that this list is comprised of undertakers who have assisted with funeral arrangements and shipment of remains in the past. The U.S. Consulate General does not recommend nor endorse any of these establishments, and provides this information only as a starting point for further research.

Transporting Ashes or Remains from Vietnam to the United States

The above link provides information about the costs and procedures of transporting ashes or remains of the deceased back to the United States.

General Procedures for the Legal Representative of the Deceased

The above link provides a general guide for legal representatives of the deceased. It lays out the steps to obtain the legal documents necessary to bury/cremate/ embalm/ship the body, as well as those needed to obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad.

WHAT THE CONSULAR SECTION CAN NOT DO

• Investigate the cause of your relative’s death, or solicit the services of a private investigator on your behalf;
• Perform an autopsy. Autopsies are performed at the direction of the Vietnamese government, and are frequently required for foreigners who die a suspicious death in Vietnam or die of unknown causes. Please note that the Vietnamese government is not bound to share the results of an autopsy with family members. Autopsies are sometimes waived at the request of the family;
• Provide a death certificate. Death certificates in Vietnam are the sole province of the Vietnamese government. We are able to issue a Report of Death Abroad; however, this document can only be issued once the local authorities have issued an official death certificate.