US Citizen Death ...what to do

[JAS21]

My friend died in hospital ... death certificate has been issued and his wife is having it translated into english at the MFA. His body is now at the temple.

 

Seems she needs to report the death to the US Embassy AND ... get the death certificate from them or get the certificate that she has stamped ...which? ...maybe she will need more that one copy ... I don't know...  Forgot to add wife has a US Passport

 

Can someone please point me to which service she need at the US Embassy .. WHICH of their services do I book for her? ...is it possible for the guys daughter to attend with the wife ...if so how do you do it

 

Some urgency to sort this ...thanks   

[ubonjoe]

She will do a consular report of death. Info is on this page. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/

The appointment at the embassy would be for notarial and other service.

She should've contacted the embassy already. They can offer assistance and if their is a embassy warden within the area they can also assist her.

[JAS21]

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

She will do a consular report of death. Info is on this page. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/

The appointment at the embassy would be for notarial and other service.

She should've contacted the embassy already. They can offer assistance and if their is a embassy warden within the area they can also assist her.

Thanks for a quick reply ...actually he died late Saturday or early Sunday...was on life support

 

I have booked TWO appointments for the same time ...as both her and the daughter want to attend together AND e-mailed the embassy to say that I booked two appointments and why ... hopefully receive a reply

 

Phoning the US Embassy failed ......just  recorded voice ...used the 4000 number, is there one where they may answer?

[scorecard]

From a previous experience (4 years back) upon death of a US passport holder the hospital (in Pattaya) quickly called a specific unit of the Thai police who came quickly and were very helpful and I'm aware that the police quickly contacted the US embassy who then promptly sent an embassy official to Pattaya and in liasion with the RTP quickly started the needed documentation / reporting etc.

 

In this case the deceased had no relatives whatever in Thailand and no close friends, and had made a document that he did not want his family in the US to be informed upon his death.

 

That's my experience, not sure but maybe the no relatives in LOS and not inform family in the US changed the process. 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, JAS21 said:

Phoning the US Embassy failed ......just  recorded voice ...used the 4000 number, is there one where they may answer?

The only other number is the one for emergencies 4049,

[JAS21]

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The only other number is the one for emergencies 4049,

Thanks ...all sorted now.

Had an e-mail back (content below) from the embassy saying no appointment needed ... suggesting that they both come 'soonish' below for info of others...

.......................................................

to me

Mr. XXXXXX,  (that's me)

 

Thank you for reporting the death of Mr. XXXXXXXXX.  On behalf of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend.  Could you also please confirm Khun XXXXXXX's  phone number, so we could express our condolences as well? 

 

If you could cancel those appointments, that would be great.  Optimal times to visit the Embassy are between 7:30-11:30am or 1:00-3:30pm.  Has the translation of the Thai death certificate been completed?  Would you and/or the family be able to come in as soon as tomorrow or Wednesday?  That would allow more flexibility with time to allow the family to close other affairs that may require the Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA).  The CRODA is an official U.S. document used to settle legal affairs in the USA.  Do you happen to know if Mr. XXXX was a veteran? 

 

At the appointment, please request Khun XXXXX to bring the following items:

1)      Original passport of XXXXXX

2)      Original Thai death certificate

3)      Original and certified translation of the Thai death certificate

4)      Original marriage certificate (translation in English, if applicable)

5)      Khun XXXXX’s government-issued ID (passport or Thai ID is fine)

6)      Last will and testament, if such document exists

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at ACSBKK@state.gov or +66-2-205-4049. 

 

Thank you,

Lisa

 

..............................

[Emster23]

Nice job helping out folks.

Now a bit of a slam on US embassy: they have frickin Thai staff, who I assume read and understand Thai. Why the hell don't they handle the Thai death certificate? It's not like they are translating James Joyce: pretty much boiler plate.... I suggested they have "freedom to marry" form already translated to Thai, rather than hunting down translation service that may or may not do a bang up job.

Embassy told me "they might bring it up at next meeting". Yeah, right

[dotpoom]

Sorry to hear that. Can't imagine why the daughter could not be present to assist.

[CMBob]

OP, some of us have understood that a body won't be released from a hospital without the approval of the person's embassy (plus payment of hospital/morgue expenses, police permission, and perhaps some other things).  Since you indicate your friend's body has already been released to the temple, can you confirm that the above has already been taken care of?  

 

And, if that's the case, then I presume that what the appointments at the embassy are about are with respect to ultimate issuance of a "US" death certificate (or CRODA which either takes the place of that and/or allows issuance of a certificate in the last state of residence) and taking care of the notification of next of kin procedures (if needed....sounds like the wife who's here would qualify there).

Is that about correct (if you know)?

 

It sounds like your friend's wife has control of needed things and the information/confirmation I seek is only for the benefit of others who will face the same situation in the future.

[Suradit69]

1 hour ago, CMBob said:

OP, some of us have understood that a body won't be released from a hospital without the approval of the person's embassy (plus payment of hospital/morgue expenses, police permission, and perhaps some other things). 

I questioned the embassy about that and was told that if I indicated in my Thai will that I wanted my Thai heir to handle funeral arrangements without the intervention of the embassy or family "back home" etc., then the embassy would not interfere.

 

I believe I read somewhere that if someone dies out of hospital or while  in hospital for less than a specified number of days. that the police might require an autopsy. In the case of the O/P, since the hospital issued a death certificate, presumably that would satisfy the police regarding cause of death.

 

Quote

 

Any death of a foreign national or Thai citizen must be reported to the police within 24 hours. In the case of foreign nationals, the police will inform the appropriate Embassy and the next of kin or representative will be notified.

The body will be sent to the Examining Magistrate's office to determine cause of death.

Death Certificates

If the cause of death is not determined to be unusual or suspicious, the body is released to the family within two to three days and a death certificate issued.

If the cause of death is unusual or the result of a suspected criminal act an autopsy will be performed and there will be a delay in releasing the body.

When the body is released, both a civil registry death certificate and a doctor's death certificate stating cause of death will be issued.

Any expenses for medical treatment or a hospital stay must be paid before the body can be released.

 

https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/thailand/healthcare/death-dying

[serpent32]

This United States Embassy website has all the information https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/ but all you really have to do is call this phone number to report the death of a US Citizen, +662-205-4049.  Just call the number and press 1, you can call them 24 hours a day to report a death.  They have someone on duty 24/7 to answer the phone for emergencies.  

[serpent32]

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

She will do a consular report of death. Info is on this page. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/

The appointment at the embassy would be for notarial and other service.

She should've contacted the embassy already. They can offer assistance and if their is a embassy warden within the area they can also assist her.

Actually she just needs to call this phone number which is for the United States Embassy in Bangkok +662-205-4049.  They have someone on duty 24/7 for emergencies such as this.  Just call the number and press 1 24/7 and someone will answer the phone.  I even just tested it at 1:00AM Thailand time and there’s definitely someone answering the phone.  

[JAS21]

21 hours ago, CMBob said:

OP, some of us have understood that a body won't be released from a hospital without the approval of the person's embassy (plus payment of hospital/morgue expenses, police permission, and perhaps some other things).  Since you indicate your friend's body has already been released to the temple, can you confirm that the above has already been taken care of?  

 

And, if that's the case, then I presume that what the appointments at the embassy are about are with respect to ultimate issuance of a "US" death certificate (or CRODA which either takes the place of that and/or allows issuance of a certificate in the last state of residence) and taking care of the notification of next of kin procedures (if needed....sounds like the wife who's here would qualify there).

Is that about correct (if you know)?

 

It sounds like your friend's wife has control of needed things and the information/confirmation I seek is only for the benefit of others who will face the same situation in the future.

My friend had been 'quite ill' at home for a long time. He suffered a major medical problem, very unfortunately during evening rush hour, so by the time he got to hospital ...which is only maybe 3 kms away it was far too late.

 

He was kept on ventilation until his daughter arrived from the US. After he died (5am) his body was removed to the temple (2pm) the same day. The wife certainly didn't inform the embassy ... she did pay the hospital fee... the hospital issued a death Cert. No idea about whether the police were informed, maybe the hospital did.

 

Yes, the wife needs the CRODA.  

 

For dotpoom ... the wife asked me if I would sort out the embassy appointment .... anything to take the load off wife and daughter at this very unfortunate time!!

 

I have no idea if what happened is standard practice. But as I said he was kept 'alive' until his daughter arrived and then ventilation was withdrawn and he 'died' the following morning. 

 

YES the 4049 number is the one to ring for advice ... Temple will be just the three days ..

 

I do not wish to reply to any other comments/questions ... thanks

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, JAS21 said:

the hospital issued a death Cert. No idea about whether the police were informed, maybe the hospital did.

Not sure but I think an Amphoe has to involved for them to issue the death certificate. You might want to check before they go to the embassy,