What to Do When Someone Dies in Spain?

Losing someone in Spain can be especially difficult when you are unfamiliar with the local procedures, particularly if the family lives abroad or the person who died was visiting Spain.

Although the exact procedure depends on where the death occurs and the circumstances, there are some important steps that can help you understand what happens next.

What should you do first when someone dies in Spain?

The first step depends on where the person died.

If the death occurs at home, in a hospital or in a care home, the relevant medical professional or institution will normally begin the process of confirming the death and issuing the necessary medical documentation.

Once the death has been medically certified, the family can contact a funeral director to begin arranging the funeral and any other services that may be required.

If someone dies at home

If a person dies at home, the appropriate medical professional should be contacted so that the death can be formally certified.

Once the death has been certified, the family can contact a funeral director. The funeral director can then explain the next steps and help coordinate the necessary arrangements.

If the death is unexpected or there are circumstances that require investigation, the procedure can be different. In those cases, the relevant authorities may become involved before the funeral arrangements can proceed.

If someone dies in hospital

When a death occurs in hospital, the hospital normally provides the medical documentation relating to the death.

The family can then contact the funeral director of their choice to discuss the arrangements.

This can be particularly important for international families, as the funeral director may also need to coordinate additional services such as transportation, repatriation or communication with relatives abroad.

If someone dies in a care home

If the death occurs in a care home, the centre will normally follow its established procedure and arrange for the death to be medically certified.

The family can then contact a funeral director to organise the next steps.

If you are not in Spain, the funeral director can help coordinate the arrangements with family members who are abroad.

When should you choose a funeral director?

You can contact a funeral director as soon as the death has been certified, or earlier if you need advice about what will happen next.

A funeral director can help coordinate the practical aspects of the funeral, including the transfer of the deceased, documentation, funeral arrangements and communication with the relevant parties.

For international families, having someone who can explain the process in English or another language can also make the situation considerably easier to manage.

Can you choose your funeral director if the deceased had funeral insurance?

Yes. According to the professional information provided by Costa Funeral Services, a family has the right to choose its funeral director even when the deceased had a funeral insurance policy.

If there is an insurance policy, it is advisable to contact the insurer and inform them of the death while also making clear which funeral director the family wishes to use.

The funeral director can then coordinate with the insurance company regarding the services covered by the policy.

What happens after contacting a funeral director?

The funeral director will normally explain the available options and the documentation required for the arrangements.

Depending on the circumstances, the process may involve:

• Arranging the transfer of the deceased.
• Checking and completing the necessary documentation.
• Discussing burial or cremation.
• Organising the funeral or farewell ceremony.
• Coordinating the cemetery or crematorium.
• Arranging flowers, music or other elements requested by the family.
• Organising repatriation when the deceased needs to be transported to another country.

The exact arrangements will depend on the family’s wishes, the location and circumstances of the death, and any applicable insurance or other arrangements.

What if the family is outside Spain?

International families often face an additional difficulty: they may have to organise the funeral from another country.

In these circumstances, it is useful to have a funeral director who can communicate with the family remotely and explain each step clearly.

The funeral director can coordinate with relatives in Spain, hospitals, care homes, insurance companies and other organisations involved in the process.

If repatriation is required, additional documentation and coordination with the relevant authorities and the destination country may also be necessary.

What happens if the death is sudden or under investigation?

Not every death follows the same procedure.

If the death is sudden, unexpected or occurs under circumstances that require investigation, the authorities may need to become involved before the deceased can be released for funeral arrangements.

In these circumstances, the family should follow the instructions of the relevant authorities and the funeral director can help explain what happens next.

What should you check before signing funeral documents?

Before confirming the arrangements, make sure you understand what services are included and what costs are being charged.

It can be useful to check:

• What services are included in the quoted price.
• Whether transportation is included.
• Whether the arrangement is for burial or cremation.
• Whether the ceremony or farewell service is included.
• Whether flowers, music or other requested services involve an additional cost.
• Whether an insurance policy covers some or all of the funeral arrangements.

If you are unsure about any part of the documentation, ask the funeral director to explain it before signing.

Do you have to organise the funeral immediately?

There are practical and legal procedures that need to be followed after a death, but families do not necessarily have to make every personal decision immediately.

A funeral director can explain which steps need to be dealt with first and which decisions can be discussed with the family.

This can be particularly helpful when close relatives are abroad and need time to travel or communicate with other family members.

What information should you have ready?

When contacting a funeral director, it is useful to have as much of the following information as possible:

• The full name of the deceased.
• Date and place of birth.
• Date and place of death.
• Identification or passport details, where available.
• Information about the next of kin.
• Details of any funeral insurance policy.
• The family’s preference for burial or cremation, if already known.
• Information about possible repatriation if the deceased is to be transferred to another country.

Do not worry if you do not have all the information immediately. The funeral director can explain what is required and what can be provided later.

A simple checklist

How Costa Funeral Services can help

For international families, arranging a funeral in Spain can involve practical, administrative and language challenges at an already difficult time.

Costa Funeral Services assists families throughout the process, including funeral arrangements, cremation and burial services, repatriation and communication with families who are based outside Spain.

If you have lost someone in Spain and are unsure what to do next, you can contact our team for guidance on the available options.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do immediately after someone dies in Spain?

The first step is to ensure that the death has been medically certified. Once this has been done, the family can contact a funeral director to begin arranging the next steps.

Can I choose my own funeral director if the deceased had funeral insurance?

Yes. According to the professional information provided by Costa Funeral Services, families have the right to choose their funeral director even when the deceased had funeral insurance.

Can I arrange a funeral in Spain if I live abroad?

Yes. Funeral arrangements can be coordinated with family members who are outside Spain. A funeral director can communicate with the family and coordinate the necessary arrangements locally.

What happens if the death was unexpected?

If a death is sudden or occurs under circumstances requiring investigation, the authorities may need to become involved before funeral arrangements can proceed. The funeral director can help explain the next steps.

Can the deceased be repatriated from Spain?

Yes. Repatriation can be arranged when the deceased needs to be transported to another country. The process involves additional documentation and coordination.

Do I need to know everything before contacting a funeral director?

No. You can contact a funeral director for guidance even if you are not sure what documentation or arrangements are required. They can explain the process and what information is needed.