Deceased American What do I do?

[binnsy1]

My American brother in law has just passed away Is there anyone on here who can tell me what I have to do as I have know idea I am British so all advice from American citizens would be grateful.

He has a Thai wife and 4 children and was 60 years of age.

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Thai police will informe Embassy so really nothing you have to do. You can be helpful to family taking care of upcoming income tax and any pension/accounts in US and such. Embassy will issue reports of death for wife.

You can call Embassy duty officer with details of death as you know them however.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/death-of-a-us-citizen.html

[lungbing]

Get a copy of the Thai death certificate and have it officially translated into English. You will need multiple copies for banks, insurance companies, pension companies etc. If his widow can claim a pension she will need their wedding certificate translated and certified and probably her birth certificate too. Take a copy of his passport and Thai death certificate to his local immigration office and take the original of the departure card that is stapled in the passport with you for immigration. Tell his US family. Check with the temple about his funeral. Tell his friends so they can attend. The hospital may need a body release form from the embassy and anyway will not release the body is there is money owing (Assuming he died in hospital). Are there any death benefits claimable from the US government? What about his bank accounts, joint names or his only? Did he leave a will?

And I'm sure there's loads of other things I haven't thought of.

[maccaroni man]

My father died here, we had him cremated and his ashes are with me. We contacted the social security department his only source of pension and they stopped payment. In your case minor children are entitled to funds from social security for some years to come so by all means contact US Embassy for instructions on how to preserve his children's and wife's financial benefits

[evadgib]

The Embassy will likely have a bereavement pack explaining everything that they'll email to next of kin/interested parties as soon as they are notified.

HTH

Edited December 10, 2014 by evadgib

[NeverSure]

The best to you and his family. It is of course important to get the money for the widow and children. No promises but these benefits are often significant.

May your brother in law RIP.

[NancyL]

If your American brother-in-law served in the U.S. military, even briefly, his family may be eligible for little-know benefits. He didn't need to have served overseas, just during a wartime period, http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/spousepen.asp

[mania]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your Brother In Law

Condolences to his family

If the 4 children were his children & are minors I believe they are eligible for social security benefits till they are 18

Someone should check with the Social Security Services. ( Which I believe is handled thru the Philippines Office for folks living in Asia)

Even Step Children are sometimes eligible

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf

His wife may also be eligible if she meets certain requirements (married 10 years)even if he was not at collecting age yet

http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/ifyou4.htm

Also this could negate the 10 year rule

If you are caring for a child under age 16 or disabled

who is getting benefits on the record of your former spouse,

you would not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule.

The child must be your former spouse's natural or legally adopted child.

Edited December 26, 2014 by mania

[Sheryl]

You do not need to have his Thai death certificate translated. Rather, you need to have to given to the U.S. Embassy who will issue a document which serves as legal proof of death abroad and is accepted in the US as equivalent to a US death certificate. They will provide a number of copies, if I recall correctly.

[NancyL]

Sheryl, I settled a death in Chiang Mai in May and the U.S. Consulate did want me to have the Thai death certificate translated before they'd issued their certification of the death of a U.S. citizen abroad. (I'm not certain that's the exact name of the their certificate, but it's close.)

Fortunately, there is a translations business just down the street that handled it in a couple hours for a very reasonable price.

And yes, the U.S. Consulate provided a reasonable number of official copies a modest charge and even sent official copies to the person's adult children in the U.S. I was very impressed with this detail, considering they charge $50 for notary services for income letters for visas, which seems excessive. They were very compassionate and had much more reasonable charges for the services related to the death of a U.S. citizen.

Edited December 29, 2014 by NancyL

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Here's the U.S. Embassy's info on death of an Amcit in Thailand.

Mac

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/death-of-a-us-citizen.html

DEATH OF A U.S. CITIZEN

Death is a difficult experience for one's family and friends no matter where it takes place. When death occurs overseas the experience can be even harder, especially if the procedures involved are not clearly understood.

American Citizen Services (ACS) is ready to assist family and friends in the event of the death of an American Citizen in Thailand. Our services include:

• Finding and notifying the Next-of-Kin of the deceased
• Acting as a liaison with Thai police, hospital and mortuary authorities
• Arranging for the disposition and repatriation of remains
• Coordinating administrative and financial requirements
• Assisting in the collection and return of personal effects to Next-of-Kin
• Issuing a "Report of Death of American Citizen Abroad".

Notification of Next-of-Kin

The Thai authorities inform the Embassy upon the death of an American Citizen anywhere in Thailand. We locate the Next-of-Kin of the deceased and contact the individual as quickly as possible. There are several important things that the Next-of-Kin must do in conjunction with the ACS office. These include:

• Returning a signed and notarized "Affidavit of Next-of-Kin"
• Choosing the method of disposition of remains
• Arranging payment of mortuary and related expenses in Thailand
• Arranging the return of any personal possessions of the deceased

Affidavit of Next-of-Kin and Letter of Instruction

To act on the family's behalf, the Embassy must have a signed, notarized copy of a document called an “Affidavit of Next-of-Kin.” This form is critical because it shows us who is entitled to make the decisions regarding the deceased. Families should initially fax or scan and email us a completed copy, and then mail the original.

Next-of-Kin are established in the following order:

1. Spouse
2. Children
3. Parents
4. Siblings
5. Grandparents

Additionally, the Next-of-Kin should fill out and sign a "Letter of Instruction" and fax or scan and email us a copy. This letter will tell us exactly how to handle the deceased's body. You can find blank copies of the affidavit (PDF 38KB) here. Our fax number is 011-66-2-205-4103 (02-205-4103 from inside of Thailand). Our email is [email protected]

Disposition and Repatriation of Remains

When an American Citizen dies in Thailand, the body is usually preserved until an autopsy can be performed and instructions are received from the Embassy or the Next-of-Kin regarding disposition of remains. There are normally two options regarding the disposition of remains:

• Cremation in Thailand and shipment for internment in the U.S. or other location
• Embalming in Thailand and shipment to U.S. or other location for internment or burial

We work with funeral homes in Bangkok to ensure the wishes of the Next-of-Kin are carried out as quickly and professionally as possible. HOWEVER, IN MOST CASES EMBALMING AND MORTUARY SERVICES IN THAILAND FALL FAR SHORT OF THE STANDARD EXPECTED IN THE UNITED STATES. A FUNERAL DIRECTOR IN THE U.S. SHOULD BE CONSULTED TO DETERMINE THE ADVISABILITY OF VIEWING THE REMAINS AND OF CONDUCTING AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL.

Funeral Homes in Thailand

DISCLAIMER: The U.S. Embassy Bangkok assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the funeral directors, morticians and other service providers.

1) John Allison Monkhouse (Thailand)

Address
Suite 204, S16 Bldg.
256/9 Sukhumvit Soi 6, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Ph: 662 382 5345-7
Fax: 662 261 7939
E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]
Website: http://www.funeralrepatriation.com/

2) Siam Funeral & Repatriation Co. Ltd.

Address
30/21 Village No. 6, Klongsi Subdistrict, Klongluang District, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
Tel. +662 902 7907
Fax. +662 902 7906, Mobile +66-86-777-0214
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

3) Teck Hong Funeral (THF)

Address
No.7, THF Building, Chan Road Soi 46,
Watphrayakrai, Bangkholaem, Bangkok 10120 Thailand
Tel. +66 (0)2-6750501 or +66(0) 2- 6750502
Fax. +66(0)2-6752227 or +66(0)2-6751921
Mobile: + 66(0) 81- 8543165 (K. Hiran)
Mobile:+ 66(0) 81- 8457592 (K. Jessica)
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.teck-hong.com/

Autopsies

Autopsies are normally performed if the deceased has died outside of a hospital or if the cause of death cannot be determined. Autopsies are performed within twenty-four hours after the Thai forensic authorities receive the remains. If an autopsy is not required by Thai authorities, it can often be conducted at the request and expense of the next-of-kin. Please note that full autopsy results are not available for up to three months after the completion of the examination, and that the autopsy results will likely fall far short of the standard expected in the United States.

Timing

Because of many factors, it is best to have flexibility regarding dates for funeral ceremonies in the United States until our office can confirm the exact date the remains will arrive in the United States. It takes time to perform an autopsy, to embalm or cremate the body, to prepare remains for shipment, and to prepare all the necessary documents.

It usually takes at least 7 to 10 days from the date of death for the arrival of the remains in the United States, longer if the remains are to be cremated and mailed to the U.S.

Financial Arrangements

The deceased's family or legal representative must pay all funeral home expenses and shipping costs of the remains and any personal effects. Families without a personal representative present in Thailand normally set up what is called an Overseas Citizens Services Trust with the Department of State. We use the money in this account to pay expenses on behalf of the deceased. We can coordinate all aspects of mortuary services under this arrangement.
Costs listed below are estimates, based on deaths with no unusual circumstances and should be considered for guidance purposes only.

• To have remains returned to the U.S. for burial, the cost for embalming and air shipment is approximately $5000.
• The cost for cremation and air shipment of ashes is approximately $1500.

By law, the Department of State cannot carry out instructions on the disposition of the remains until we have received the required funds. There are several methods for sending money to the Department of State to set up an Overseas Citizens Services Trust. See instructions on Sending Money to U.S. Citizens Overseas.

There will normally be an interval of at least seven days between receipt of funds and shipment of the remains.

After all the mortuary and shipping expenses have been received and paid, we will conduct an itemized accounting of final costs and refund any balance in the trust by a United States Treasury check.

Return of Personal Effects

The Embassy can, in most circumstances, take charge of personal effects and possessions of the deceased if instructed to do so by the Next-of-Kin. This may not be necessary if the deceased has a friend or family member present in Thailand at the time of death.

We will conduct a thorough inventory of any personal effects and send a copy to the Next-of Kin. We can send the family any items they wish to have returned at their expense through the United States Postal Service at the Embassy. Most families decide to donate items of little sentimental or monetary value (clothing, suitcases, kitchenware, etc.) to a local charity in order to avoid the large expense involved in returning these items to the United States. The Embassy will gladly arrange for this charitable donation on the family's behalf.

In cases where the estate of the deceased exceeds $1000, the Embassy will require more detailed legal documents, such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, prior to releasing money or effects to the Next-of-Kin.

Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad

The “Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad” is an official report, in English, that provides the essential facts concerning the death of a U.S. Citizen. It functions in much the same way as a death certificate issued in the United States and can be used to settle bank accounts, insurance policies and other estate matters.

This report can be issued only after the Thai authorities complete their documentation of the death. This process can take several weeks to be completed. Several original copies of the Consular Report of Death Abroad report will be sent to the Next-of-Kin. Families may order additional certified copies from the Department of State for a fee.

Families will thus receive up to three sets of documents from the Embassy:

• Several original copies of "Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad" (free)
• An original Thai Death Certificate with a translated English copy (at the family's expense)
• An original Autopsy Report with a translated English copy (at the family's expense, takes 3-4 months to complete)

For more information you may also refer to the Department of State website.

Contact Us

American Citizen Services (ACS)
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Telephone from outside of Thailand: 011-66-2-205-4049
Telephone from inside of Thailand: 02-205-4049
Fax: (66) 2-205-4103
E-mail: [email protected]

[lopburi3]

Please note above procedure appears keyed to American next of kin and return of remains to USA rather than for the death of an American spouse of a Thai national. Anyone have experience or anyone from ACS able to expand? Believe it would serve everyone to have such information here.