Consular assistance
British Embassy contacts for Italy: when someone dies abroad
If a British national dies in Italy, the Embassy is usually the first official body to contact. This page lists the main and emergency numbers, explains what consular staff can and cannot do, and links to the resources you need.
Emergency numbers
FCDO 24-hour line (from UK)
+44 (0)20 7008 5000British Embassy in Italy
+39 06 4220 0001Always verify numbers before calling
Embassy phone numbers change. Confirm current details at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy before a trip. The FCDO 24-hour line (+44 (0)20 7008 5000) is the most reliable point of contact in an emergency.
Contact details
British Embassy and consulates in Italy
VERIFY all consulate numbers before go-live. Check gov.uk for current list. Italy's spread of tourist destinations means multiple consulates may be relevant.
What you need to know
What the British Embassy in Italy can do
- Register the death of a British national under the Consular Deaths Act
- Provide a list of local funeral directors who handle international repatriation
- Help trace and notify next of kin
- Issue emergency travel documents if a family member needs to travel
- Liaise with local police, hospitals, or authorities if language is a barrier
- Advise on the local death certificate process in Italy
Important limits
What the Embassy cannot do
- Fund or pay for repatriation (that is the family's or insurer's responsibility)
- Arrange or coordinate the repatriation itself
- Release the body from a hospital or morgue
- Override local death certificate processing timelines
- Provide legal advice on liability or criminal matters
Death registration in Italy
The Embassy can register the death separately under UK law. This is optional and does not replace the local certificate, but some families find the UK death certificate useful for administrative purposes.
Typical timeline from Italy
Need help coordinating repatriation from Italy?
We can take over the arrangements from wherever you are in the process. Call us or leave your details and we will call you back.