What to do if someone dies in Israel

When a British National Dies in Israel

Israel is a medium-complexity repatriation. Ben Gurion Airport has direct UK flights, and the documentation process (while not Strasbourg-simplified) is reasonably well-structured. The key steps are police clearance, Ministry of Health export permit, and certified translation of Hebrew documents.

Call the British Embassy Tel Aviv on their emergency line immediately. The British Consulate-General Jerusalem is for Palestinian Authority areas only. All Israeli deaths go through the Tel Aviv Embassy.

Step 1: Reporting the Death

All deaths must be reported to the Israeli police. Natural deaths in hospital with physician confirmation are processed quickly. The physician issues the death certificate (Teudat Ptirah) and the case moves to registration with the Ministry of Interior (Misrad HaPanim).

For sudden, unexplained, or unnatural deaths, the Israeli police open an investigation.

Step 2: Forensic Post-Mortem at Abu Kabir

For non-natural deaths requiring forensic investigation, the National Forensic Medicine Centre at Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv conducts the post-mortem. Abu Kabir is the main national forensic facility. There is also the National Center for Forensic Medicine which handles some Tel Aviv district cases.

Post-mortem reports are issued in Hebrew. The report confirms the cause of death and is a required document for the Ministry of Health export permit application.

Body release from Abu Kabir after post-mortem can take several days. This is the primary source of delay in Israeli repatriations.

Step 3: Ministry of Health Export Permit

With police investigation formally closed and the death certificate registered, the Ministry of Health processes the export permit. The British Embassy can assist with progress-chasing at this stage.

Step 4: Certified Translation

All Hebrew documents require certified English translation. Use a translator accredited by the British Embassy or recognised by UK courts. Documents requiring translation:

• Teudat Ptirah (death certificate)
• Police investigation closure letter
• Abu Kabir post-mortem report (if applicable)
• Ministry of Health export permit

Step 5: Embalming and Preparation

Embalming is required for international air transport. Israeli funeral directors in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have established repatriation experience.

If the family wishes to cremate before repatriation: the Or HaGanuz private crematorium near Haifa is the only cremation facility in Israel. Arranging this at distance is complex. Most families bring the full body to the UK and arrange cremation there if required.

Step 6: Eilat Deaths

If the death occurred at Eilat on the Red Sea, the local funeral director transfers the body to Tel Aviv for documentation and cargo processing. Ramon International Airport (ETM) near Eilat has limited direct UK connections. Inbound cargo for human remains goes via Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).

Step 7: Flights to the UK

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is the only practical departure point for UK repatriation. El Al, British Airways, and easyJet operate direct flights to London. Cargo handling is established and efficient once documentation is finalised.

Step 8: UK Arrival Formalities

On arrival in the UK, the coroner reviews the case. Certified translations of all Hebrew documents must accompany the consignment notes. The local registrar then issues a UK death certificate.

Getting Help

Repatriate Service manages the full Israel process, including British Embassy Tel Aviv liaison, Abu Kabir tracking, Hebrew translation, and cargo booking. For Eilat deaths, we handle the Tel Aviv transfer logistics.