Death of a U.S. Citizen

Last updated: March 24, 2022

The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon offers various types of assistance to family and friends in the event of the death of a U.S. citizen while in Portugal. The death of a family member or friend is always stressful, but the experience can be even more distressing when the death occurs overseas where procedures may be different and not clearly understood. The assistance of the Embassy can be requested by contacting the American Citizen Services Unit at (351) 217 702 122 during our public phone hours – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the matter is urgent and it is outside normal work hours, please call (351) 217 273 300 and ask to speak with the duty officer.

Support to family and friends can take several forms. The Embassy provides information regarding the options and costs involved in making funeral arrangements. All costs for the services selected are the responsibility of the family or legal representative. The Embassy at times is responsible for collecting the effects of the deceased and providing an inventory to the next-of-kin’s designated representative. If the deceased has no legal representative or trustee in Portugal, a consular officer may act as ‘provisional conservator’ of the deceased’s effects. A consular officer will also prepare a Consular Report of Death Abroad based on the local death certificate for use by the next-of-kin. This document is helpful in settling legal and estate matters in the United States.

If you have information regarding the death of a U.S. citizen in Portugal, please notify us at the above telephone number.

More information is available on the State Department’s website.

Profile of Services Available:

Continental Portugal

The following general information is provided to assist families in making initial decisions. Indicated costs are estimates, based on deaths with no unusual circumstances, and should be considered as guides only. The Portuguese Government regulations regarding the disposition of remains are as follows:

1. Maximum period before burial or cremation
Remains cannot be buried, cremated or sealed into a casket before 24 hours after the time of death. If death occurs as result of a contagious disease the health authorities may, at their discretion, require immediate burial.Local law provides that the cremation of the remains must occur in the maximum period of time of 48 hours after the time of death or in case where there is an autopsy, 48 hours after the autopsy.

2. Embalming
There is no legal obligation for embalming, but it is available if requested. Thanatopraxis is available in most cities of Continental Portugal.

3. Cremation
There are cremation facilities in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island) and in Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island).

4. Caskets and containers
Caskets and containers are available locally and meet international shipping requirements.

5. Repatriation of remains
The process of repatriation of remains can take approximately five business days. The U.S. Embassy may only prepare the Mortuary Certificate after receiving the original documents listed below. Required documents for repatriation to the United States are as follows:

Body

Official Portuguese death certificate
Embalming certificate
Transit permit from the police
Transit permit from the Public Health Authorities
Affidavit from the funeral agent
Mortuary certificate from the U.S. Embassy

Ashes

Official Portuguese death certificate
Cremation certificate
Transit permit from the police
Affidavit from the funeral agent
Mortuary certificate from the U.S. Embassy

6. Costs
The values provided below are 2017 averages. All dollar costs have been converted from the cost in euros at the exchange rate of $1.00 = €0.8622 (Official Commercial Exchange Rate on November 8, 2017)

Service	From		To
Local internment	€ 1,400	USD 1,624	€ 2,300	USD 2,667
Local cremation	€ 1,200	USD 1392	€ 1,900	USD 2,203
Preparation for repatriation	€ 1,900	USD 2204	€ 4,500	USD 5,219
Embalming	€ 700	USD 812	€ 1,020	USD 1,183
Thanatopraxis	€ 400	USD 464	€ 800	USD 928
Exhumation	€ 370	USD 429	€ 700	USD 812

7. Air freight
The average weight of caskets and containers required for export of remains is 150 kg (330 pounds). Below are estimated prices for air shipment from Lisbon to various cities in the United States.

Destination	Body		Ashes
Atlanta	€ 1,725	USD 2,000	€ 350	USD 406
Boston	€ 1,725	USD 2,000	€ 350	USD 406
Chicago	€ 1,725	USD 2,000	€ 350	USD 406
Miami	€ 1,790	USD 2,076	€ 400	USD 464
Newark	€ 1,560	USD 1,809	€ 300	USD 348
New York	€ 1,725	USD 2,000	€ 350	USD 406
San Francisco or LA	€ 1,820	USD 2,111	€ 550	USD 638

8. Exhumation
Local law governing exhumation of remains provides that it may occur only three years after burial.

9. Autopsies
There are two types of autopsies in Portugal – medical and legal. The medical autopsy takes place at the hospital in which the death occurred and the cause of death is provided on a report issued by the doctor in charge. The legal autopsy is performed at the National Forensic Lab (INML – Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal) and may be required by the Portuguese court in some cases.
If a legal autopsy is needed, the funeral home can only remove the remains from the INML for interment or cremation after receiving an authorization from the Portuguese Court. This process can take approximately three to five days.
It takes approximately five months from the day of the autopsy for the results to be released. The report can only be collected after a formal request is filed with the Portuguese Public Ministry (Ministério Público – DIAP).

10. Remarks
All prices listed above are for an average range of services. The values may vary by provider and according to the type of services requested by the family. This is only an estimate.

Azores

The Portuguese Government regulations in effect in this consular district regarding the disposition of remains are as follows:

(A) Maximum Period Before Burial
Bodies cannot be buried, cremated, or sealed into a zinc casket until 24 hours after the time of death. If death occurs as result of a contagious disease, the health authorities may, at their discretion, require immediate burial.

(B) Embalming
There is no legal obligation for embalming. But it is available, if requested, for $867 (1,020 Euros).

(C) Cremation
There are cremation facilities only in Ponta Delgada.

(D) Caskets and Containers
Caskets and containers are obtainable locally and meet international shipping requirements.

(E) Exportation of Remains
Local requirements for the exportation of human remains are as follows:

Official Death Certificate.
Affidavit of Funeral Agent.
Transit Permit of Public Health Authorities.
Transit Permit from Police.
There is often a delay in exportation of remains from the Azores due to limited number of flights and/or available space.

(F) Costs
All dollar costs have been converted from the cost in Euros at the rate of 0,85 to the dollar. The exchange rate fluctuates frequently. Please note the prices below are averages. Costs can vary widely and are generally higher outside of Sao Miguel.

1) Local interment

Euros 1,100
Dollars 1,294

Costs include pine coffin, quilted coverlet, sheet, pillow, burial tax, and the use of a numbered cemetery plot for a period of three years. (A grave marker costs about $600.) After five years the remains are exhumed and placed in a common grave. For a fee of about $100 they may be cremated or for about $250 they may be transferred to a small box and placed in a wall. Perpetual graves are difficult to obtain and very expensive due to a shortage of cemetery space, but the funeral agency will try to obtain one if requested.

2) Local cremation

Euros 1,400
Dollars 1,647

Costs include pine coffin, quilted coverlet, sheet, pillow, cremation tax, and a pot for the ashes.

3) Preparation for shipment abroad

Euros 3,850
Dollars 4,530

Preparation additionally includes packing remains in lime, providing a zinc box which is encased in a coffin, then placed in a shipping case. Prices also include customs formalities, paperwork and transportation to the dock or airport.

4) Air freight
Average weight of casket and containers required for export of remains is 330 pounds (150kgs). Below are estimated prices for air shipment from Ponta Delgada to various cities in the United States.

To Boston: Euros 740 / Dollars 870
To New York: Euros 875 / Dollars 1,030
To San Francisco or Los Angeles: Euros 1,200 / Dollars 1,412

(G) Exhumation
Remains may not be disinterred for three years without special permission from municipal authorities and the Ministry of the Interior. Remains may not be removed from a perpetual vault.

List of Funeral Homes

The following is a list of funeral homes. The list is not meant to be exhaustive or definitive nor does it represent either a guarantee of competence or endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.

Countrywide Service

Servilusa Agências Funerárias – English
Phone: 800 204 222 – 24 hours
Phone: 214 706 300
Email: internacional@servilusa.pt
Address: Edifício Santa Teresa, Rua Luís de Camões, nº27 – Amadora
Hours: 9:00-18:00
Website: https://www.servilusa.pt/

Lusa Funerárias de Portugal – English
Phone: 212 429 327
Phone: 800 918 881 – 24 hours
Mobile: 912 383 008
Email: funerarialusa@gmail.com
Address: Alameda das Linhas de Torrres , 106 A – Lisbon
Hours: 9:00-13:00/14:00-19:00
Website: http://funerarialusa.pt/

Agência Funerária Almeida – English
Phone: 808 202 939
Phone: 214 195 650
Phone: 214 193 820
Email: geral@funerariaalmeida.pt
Address: Rua Rodrigues Sampaio Nº20-B – Linda a Velha
Hours: 9:00-19:00
Website: http://www.funerariaalmeida.pt/

Lisbon & Region

Funerária Triunfo – English
Phone: 800 100 106 – 24 hours
Phone: 213 941 698
Mobile: 936 600 300
Email: geral@funerariatriunfo.pt
Address: Rua Saraiva de Carvalho, 116 R/C Drt – Lisboa
Hours: 24 hours
Website: http://www.funerariatriunfo.pt/

Agência Funerária Augusto de Oliveira – English
Phone: 213 886 238
Phone: 800 208 291 – 24 hours
Email: geral@augustodeoliveira.pt
Address: Rua General Taborda, 59 A – Lisboa
Hours: 9:00-19:00
Website: http://www.augustodeoliveira.pt/

Porto & Region

A Ramaldense Agência Funerária – English
Phone: 226 109 346
Mobile: 962 757 406 – 24 hours
Email: casanovaramaldefuneraria@sapo.pt
Address: Avenida Vasco Gama – Porto
Hours: 9:00-12:00/14:30-16:00
Website: http://www.casanovaramalde.pt/

Coimbra & Central Region

Agência A Funerária de Coimbra
Phone: 239 824 479 -24 hours
Mobile: 917 226 023
Email: geral@funerariadecoimbra.pt
Address: Rua de Saragoça, n.º 85 C – Coimbra
Hours: 9:00-18:00
Website: http://agenciafunerariadecoimbra.pt

Agência Funerária Rodrigues, Lda.
Av. Serra da Estrela, nº 2 A
6290-320 Gouveia
Phone: 238 493 457
Website: https://www.funerariarodrigues.com/

Alentejo

Setúbal

Agência Funerária Santos & Filho – English
Phone: 265 236 111
Mobile: 268 034 403
Email: geral@funerariasantos.pt
Address: Rua Camilo Castelo Branco, 169C – Setúbal
Hours: 8:00-19:00
Website: http://www.funerariasantos.pt/

Algarve

Agência funerária Luís Correia e Correia – English
Phone 800 207 810 – 24 hours
Mobile 963907469
email grupocorreia@gmail.com
Address: Estrada Nacional 125, nº139, 8700-109 – Luz de Tavira
Hours: 9:00-13:00/14:00-18:00
Website: http://funerariacorreia.pt/

Agência Funerária Guerreiro e Guerreiro – English
Phone 282 769 827
Phone +351 918 389 436 – 24 hours
Email agfguerreiro@gmail
Address: Rua Juntas de Freguesia, Lote 12, Loja F – Lagos
Hours: 8:30-13:00/14:30-18:30
Website: http://www.agenciafunerariaguerreiro.pt/

Funerária Barlavento – English
Phone: 282419260 – 24 hours
Mobile: 962605896
Email: info@funerariabarlavento.pt
Address: Rua dos Bomb.Vol. de Portimão – Edf.Qtª. das Laranjeiras, Loja 2 – Portimão
Hours: 8:00-13:00/14:00-19:00
Website: http://www.funerariabarlavento.pt/

Madeira Island

Agência Funerária Andrade – Alma Grande – English
Phone: 291 223 428 – 24 hours
Phone: 291 226 848
Mobile: 962 024 024
Email: aalmagrande@gmail.com
Address: Rua 31 de Janeiro, 42 – Funchal
Hours: 24 hours
Website: http://www.almagrande.pt/

Funerária Dionisio
Estrada Regional 222 n.º 178 Canhas
Phone: 291 976 009 / 291 822 320
Lombo do Doutor n.º 272 Calheta
Phone: 962 331 306 / 964 050 345
Email: agfdionisio@gmail.com

Agência Funerária Câmara de Lobos
Caminho da Saraiva, 7
9300-046 Câmara de Lobos
Office: (+351) 291 942 371 – (+351) 291 942 882
Mobile: (+351) 966 498 843 – (+351) 965 010 336
Fax: (+351) 291 940 419
Email: geral@funerariacamaradelobos.com
Web:www.funerariacamaradelobos.com

Agência Funerária Jardim
Estrada Regional 222
9370-315 Fajã da Ovelha
(Calheta (MD))
Phone: 291 872 650 / 964 852 006
Web:http://agenciajardim.pt/

Olival Agência Funerária
Vereda Pe Ladeira Nº 4
9200-119 Machico
Phone: 291 963 148 / 966 173 096
Fax: 291 963 148
Email: geral@funerariaolival.com

Funerária Funchalense
Rua da Ponte Nova 13
9050-440 Funchal
Phone: 291 223 771 / 968 842 059

Agência Funerária Cidade de Santana
Rua Cónego Fernando Vaz, nº 11
9230 – 121 Santana
Phone: 291 572 117 / 918 116 855
Email: afcsantana@gmail.com

Agência Funerária Caíres, Ldª
Rua da Praia, 9
9100-167 Santa Cruz
Phone: 291 524 440
Email: cairesfuneraria@gmail.com

Agência Funerária Freitas
Rua São Fernando, 80
9100-173 Santa Cruz
Phone: 291 522 817
Email: agencia-freitas@sapo.pt

Azores

FUNERAL HOMES IN THE AZORES
(October 2021)

The U.S. Consulate assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Names are listed alphabetically and by islands, and the order in which they appear has no other significance.

FLORES

Agência Funerária Teixeira – English
Address: Rua da Anunciação 16, 9970 Santa Cruz
Phone: +351 292 593 267
Mobile: +351 917 762 976 – 24 hours
Email: agencia.funeraria.teixeira@gmail.com

FAIAL

Agência Funerária Ilha Azul- English
Address: Estrada Príncipe Alberto Do Mónaco 14, Horta
Phone: +351 292 293 296
Mobile: +351 966 451 006 – 24 hours
Email: agenciailhaazul@sapo.pt

GRACIOSA

Agência Funerária Canadinhas – English
Address: Rua Da Ajuda 4, 9880 Santa Cruz
Phone: +351 295 732 733
Mobile: +351 919 233 754 – 24 hours
Email: afcanadinhas@hotmail.com

Agência Funerária Nogueira – English
Address: Rua Serpa Pinto 13, 9880 Santa Cruz
Phone: +351 295 712 777
Mobile: +351 919 675 068 – 24 hours
Email: Nogueira.agencia@outlook.com

PICO

Agência Funerária Pimentel – English
Address: Rua São Francisco 1, 9930 Lajes do Pico
Phone: +351 292 672 674
Mobile: +351 914 646 057 – 24 hours
Email: mnmpimentel@hotmail.com

SÃO JORGE

Agência Funerária Jorgense – English
Address: Rua Manuel Augusto Cunha 12B, 9850 Calheta
Mobile: +351 917 763 203 – 24 hours
Mobile: +351 914 514 909
Email: funerariajorgense@gmail.pt

Agência Funerária Na Mão De Deus – English
Adress: Avenida da Conceicao, 9800 Velas
Phone: +351 295 432 107
Mobile: +351 914 150 471 – 24 hours
Email: funerarianamaodedeus@hotmail.com

SANTA MARIA

Agência Funerária Lindo – English
Address: Travessa da Friagem, s-n, 9580 Vila do Porto
Phone:+351 968 939 301 – 24 hours
Email: agenciafunerarialindo@hotmail.com

SÃO MIGUEL

Agência Funerária Carvalho – English
Address: Rua Dr. Homem de Gouveia 5B, 9500 Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 284 454
Mobile: +351 919 923 094 – 24 hours
Email: joaomanuelponte@hotmail.com

Agência Funerária Cordeiro – English
Address: Rua da Juventude 17 B, 9500 Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 283 129
Mobile: +351 919 268 914 – 24 hours
Email: agenciafunerariacordeiro@hotmail.com

Agência Funerária Ferreira- English
Address: Rua Direita Santa Catarina 14B, 9500 Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 284 579
Mobile: +351 963 047 901 – 24 hours
Email: geral@funerariaferreira.pt

TERCEIRA

Agência Funerária Carvalho- English
Address: Rua do Cruzeiro 47, 9760 Praia da Vitória
Phone: +351 295 513 121
Mobile: +351 962 932 158 – 24 hours
Email: funerariacarvalho@sapo.pt

Agência Funerária ServiFune – English
Address: Rua Dr. AnÍbal Bettencourt 242 Loja D, 9700 Angra do Heroísmo
Toll Free Number – 800 209 350
Phone: +351 295 215242
Mobile: +351 961793452 – 24 hours
Email: geral@servifune.pt

Consular Report of Death Abroad

A Consular Report of Death Abroad is an administrative document that provides essential facts about the death, disposition of remains, and custody of the personal estate of a deceased U.S. citizen. It is generally used in legal proceedings in the United States as proof of death.
The U.S Embassy prepares a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA) for every civilian U.S. citizen who dies in Portugal. This certificate is based on the Portuguese death certificate and is valid for use in the United States.
To request the issuance of the Report, please send the following documents to the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon.

Continental Portugal and Madeira Island

U.S. passport of the deceased
Original Portuguese death certificate
The attached questionnaire (PDF 154 KB) filled out and signed
Mailing within Portugal: Mail a correio verde envelope MC4 229×324 with the amount of 2€ in stamps for the registration (PLEASE NOTE: Even though the envelope is prepaid, the stamps are necessary for us to send it as registered mail. Postage stamps MUST be affixed to the envelopes; Envelopes and registration MUST be pre-addressed with your name and address.
Mailing to the US: Mail a complete pre-paid FEDEX label

Our address is:

Embaixada dos Estados Unidos da América
A/C Secção Consular
Avenida das Forças Armadas
1600-081 Lisbon, Portugal

Azores

U.S. passport of the deceased
Original Portuguese death certificate
The attached questionnaire (PDF 192 KB) filled out and signed

Our address is:

Consulado dos Estados Unidos da América
Avenida Príncipe do Mónaco, 6-2 F
9500-237 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal

Twenty copies of the Consular Report of Death Abroad will be mailed to the next-of-kin, at the time of death, free of charge. If in the future additional copies are needed, they can be obtained for a fee of $50 per copy. For details on how to make a request, please visit the State Department’s travel site.