Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Curaçao
This guide explains what happens after a death in Curaçao, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Curaçao
Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean, with Willemstad as its capital. Dutch civil law governs death registration. British consular support is provided non-residently by the British Embassy in The Hague.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately: this 24-hour line connects you to consular staff who can guide you.
Step 1: Notify the FCDO and Local Authorities
The attending physician or hospital certifies the death and notifies the Registro Civil (Civil Registry). Non-natural deaths (accidents, suspected criminal involvement) require notification to and clearance from the Korps Politie Curaçao before funeral arrangements proceed.
Register the death with the British Embassy, The Hague, which handles consular matters for Curaçao.
Step 2: Obtain the Death Certificate
The Registro Civil de Curaçao issues the official death certificate in Dutch and/or Papiamentu (note: the Curaçaoan spelling is Papiamentu, distinct from Aruba’s Papiamento). A certified English translation is required for UK Coroner use.
Step 3: Engage a UK Repatriation Specialist
Coordination between the Curaçaoan funeral director, Registro Civil, Korps Politie (if applicable), the British Embassy The Hague, the airline, and the UK Coroner needs professional management. A specialist firm handles this on your behalf.
Step 4: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate + certified English translation | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| Police clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| Embalming certificate | International air transport requirement |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Customs and quarantine |
| Export permit | Curaçaoan authorities |
| UK Coroner import permission | Required before the body enters the UK |
Step 5: Arrange the Flight
Direct KLM flights from Curaçao Hato International Airport (CUR) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) provide the primary UK routing. Miami connections via American Airlines are an alternative.
Step 6: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is handed to a registered UK funeral director after UK Coroner confirmation. The funeral can then proceed.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: FCDO guidance: When someone dies in the Netherlands; FCDO Consular Services Overview; Registro Civil, Government of Curaçao.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Curaçao will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Curaçao requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Curaçao alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Curaçao paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for Curaçao
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from Curaçao to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Curaçao · Frequently asked questions