Death & Dying in Portugal

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Death & Dying in Portugal

In the event of a death of a family member, friend or relative in Portugal the first thing to do is to call a local doctor who confirms the death and issues a death certificate (boletim de óbito).

The death certificate provides information on the place and time that death took place and also indicates the cause of death.

Reporting the Death

The death of an individual which occurs on Portuguese territory must be reported within two days (48 hours) at the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória de Civil Registo) in the district where the death occurred. 

• To find the address of the appropriate office: Click here

The following people may make the report to the registry office:

• Next of kin or any other family member present at the time of death
• Church minister
• Undertaker
• Administrative or police authorities
• If the death takes place within a hospital, retirement home, prison or other institution, the death will be reported by the institution

When reporting a death at the registry office documents need to be presented. These include:

• Death certificate issued by a doctor
• Proof of identity of the deceased (although this is not compulsory)

Note: It is most common for an undertaker to carry out the registration of death duty.

The Civil Registry Office will issue a death bulletin/certificate to enable the deceased's body to be repatriated for burial abroad or transported to a local cemetery.

The appropriate embassy or consulate should also be informed about any of their citizens who die in Portugal.

Funeral Arrangements

The burial or cremation can only take place once the death has been reported.

Burial rights in Portugal are only valid for a limited amount of time. After this time the burial rights have to be renewed or the Portuguese authorities reclaim the grave.

Organisation of a cremation is quite straightforward and Portuguese undertakers arrange the paperwork if the person's ashes are to be transported to another country. There are no restrictions concerning moving ashes within the EU.

Repatriation of the Body

Returning the body of the deceased to their home country requires the help of the relevant local embassy or consulate.

If the person is insured, the insurance company will organise repatriation and will liaise with international funeral directors to take the body back to the deceased's home country. It is necessary to contact a local funeral director who will co-ordinate with the funeral directors in the home country.

If the person is not insured then repatriation will have to be paid for by the deceased's family or friends who will have to contact an international funeral director.

Note: Recent changes to flight security means that many airlines are no longer prepared to carry closed coffins.

Further Information

• General Directorate of Registries and Notaries (Direcção-Geral dos Registos e do Notariado, DGRN) for further information on what to do in the event of death (in Portuguese)
• Information for Americans from Travel State website
• Death registration form for British citizens from the British Embassy website
• Information for Canadians from Consular Affairs