What to do if someone dies in Nepal

Nepal repatriations divide into two categories: deaths in Kathmandu, which follow a structured but manageable process, and deaths on trekking routes or in the Himalayas, which are operationally complex before any official process begins. This guide covers both.

Step 1: Notify the British Embassy Kathmandu

The British Embassy must be notified immediately. Address: Lainchaur, Kathmandu. Phone: +977 1 423 7100. FCDO 24-hour emergency: +44 1908 516666.

If the death occurred in a remote area, contact the emergency line first. The Embassy coordinates with on-ground agents for remote recovery situations.

Step 2: Physical recovery (for Himalayan and trekking deaths)

This is the first priority, not documentation.

For deaths above 5,000 metres, helicopter evacuation is required. Nepal Army Aviation and private operators (Kailash Helicopter, Shree Airlines) carry out rescues. Weather windows can delay departure by 24 to 72 hours. Deaths on Everest Base Camp (5,364m), the Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley, or Manaslu require specific coordination depending on altitude and current mountain conditions.

For deaths in lower-altitude trekking areas (Pokhara region, Chitwan, lower Mustang), road recovery or domestic flight is typically sufficient.

Step 3: District Administration Office death registration

Deaths are registered at the Ward Office or District Administration Office (DAO) in the district where the body is located. Once the body reaches Kathmandu, registration at the relevant DAO proceeds. For deaths requiring police investigation, registration follows the police report.

Step 4: Nepal Police report and post-mortem

For unnatural or suspicious deaths, the Nepal Police investigates. The Prosecutor may order a post-mortem at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Kathmandu. TUTH is the primary forensic facility. Allow 7 to 14 days from the post-mortem for results.

Step 5: Ministry of Home Affairs export clearance

The Ministry of Home Affairs or the relevant DAO issues export clearance. Required documents: death certificate, police report (if applicable), post-mortem report (if applicable), embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease certificate, British Embassy Kathmandu documentation. Allow five to ten days for the permit.

Step 6: Translation

Nepali documentation is in Nepali (Devanagari script). Certified English translations are required. Translation takes two to three days once documents are ready.

Step 7: Routing to the UK

No direct UK flights from Kathmandu. Qatar Airways via Doha to Heathrow is the standard cargo route. Air India via Delhi is an alternative. Allow one to two additional days for multi-leg cargo. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Nepal; Nepal Civil Registration Act 2076 BS; Ministry of Home Affairs procedures; British Embassy Kathmandu guidance (2023).