Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Aruba
This guide explains what happens after a death in Aruba, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home to the UK. The information comes from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you need someone to guide you through it, our team is available any time.
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What to Do When Someone Dies in Aruba
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean. It is governed under Dutch civil law and has its own civil registration system. British consular support is provided on a non-resident basis by the British Embassy in The Hague.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately — this 24-hour line connects you to consular staff who can guide you from the first hours.
Step 1: Notify the FCDO and Local Authorities
Inform the Aruban authorities — the attending physician or hospital will certify the death and notify the Departamento di Registro Civil. If the death was non-natural (accident, suspicious circumstances), the Korps Politie Aruba must be informed before any funeral arrangements proceed.
Register the death with the British Embassy, The Hague, which handles Aruba consularly.
Step 2: Obtain the Death Certificate
The Departamento di Registro Civil (Civil Registry, Government of Aruba) issues the official death certificate. It will be in Dutch and/or Papiamento. For UK Coroner use, a certified English translation is required.
Step 3: Translation Requirements
Both Dutch and Papiamento are not widely understood in UK legal proceedings. All documents must be translated by a sworn translator. A specialist UK repatriation firm will coordinate this.
Step 4: Engage a UK Repatriation Specialist
Repatriation from Aruba requires coordination between the Aruban funeral director, the Civil Registry, the Korps Politie Aruba (if relevant), the British Embassy The Hague, the airline, and the UK Coroner’s office. A specialist firm handles all of these on your behalf.
Step 5: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate + certified English translation | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| Police clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| Embalming certificate | International air transport requirement |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Customs and quarantine |
| Export permit | Issued by Aruban authorities |
| UK Coroner import permission | Required before the body enters the UK |
Step 6: Arrange the Flight
Direct KLM flights from Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) provide the primary UK routing. UK connections from Amsterdam are frequent.
Step 7: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is released to a registered UK funeral director after confirmation with the local Coroner. A UK funeral can then proceed.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: FCDO Travel Advice, Aruba (last reviewed 2025); FCDO Consular Services Overview; Departamento di Registro Civil, Government of Aruba.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the British Embassy or consulate
FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. They may cover the full cost of repatriation, which can be .
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
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WhatsApp us nowReviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated May 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from · Frequently asked questions