What to do if someone dies in Switzerland

When a British National Dies in Switzerland

Switzerland is manageable as a repatriation, but the cantonal system requires you to understand which authority is responsible before anything else. Contact the British Embassy Bern on their emergency line immediately and tell them exactly where in Switzerland the death occurred. The canton determines everything: which civil registry, which Staatsanwaltschaft, which Institut fuer Rechtsmedizin, and which Kantonsarzt issues the transport permit.

Step 1: Establish the Canton

This is not a trivial question. A death at Verbier is Valais canton; the relevant authorities are in Sion. A death at Davos is Graubuenden; the authorities are in Chur. A death at Grindelwald is Bern canton. A death in Zurich city is Zurich canton. Confirm the canton before making any other calls.

The British Embassy Bern covers all cantons. Switzerland also has Consulates-General in Zurich and Geneva, which can assist in their respective regions.

Step 2: Report to Local Police

All deaths must be reported to the local police (Kantonspolizei). For natural deaths confirmed by a physician, police involvement is brief. For unnatural, sudden, or suspicious deaths, the Kantonspolizei liaises with the cantonal Staatsanwaltschaft (Public Prosecution), which takes authority over the case.

Do not move the body from a public or outdoor scene before police attend.

Step 3: Staatsanwaltschaft and Post-Mortem

For non-natural deaths, the Staatsanwaltschaft authorises a forensic post-mortem. This is conducted by the Institut fuer Rechtsmedizin (IRM). The relevant IRM depends on canton:

• German-speaking cantons (Zurich, Bern, Graubuenden, most German-speaking ski areas): IRM at the University of Zurich or University of Bern.
• French-speaking cantons (Valais, Vaud, Geneva, Neuchatel): CURML at the University of Lausanne.
• Ticino (Italian-speaking): University Hospital Lugano.

Post-mortem reports are issued in the language of the relevant canton. Certified English translation is required for UK entry formalities.

Step 4: Leichentransportbewilligung

Once the Staatsanwaltschaft closes its investigation and the Todesschein (death certificate) is issued by the cantonal Zivilstandsamt, the Kantonsarzt (cantonal medical officer) issues the Leichentransportbewilligung: the international transport permit.

This document travels with the body as part of the export documentation. No additional consular legalisation is required. Do not attempt to book cargo until the Leichentransportbewilligung is confirmed.

Step 5: Alpine and Ski Resort Deaths

Deaths in Swiss ski resorts follow a specific sequence before Step 3 can begin.

The Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) or local Bergrettung (mountain rescue service) recovers the body. The Rega operates over 1,000 missions per year in Alpine terrain. For avalanche burials, high-altitude falls, or remote backcountry terrain, recovery takes as long as conditions require.

Once the body is recovered and handed to the local Kantonspolizei, the standard process begins. Mountain recovery delays are outside anyone’s control. In winter conditions, expect 24 to 72 hours from incident to formal documentation start, sometimes longer.

Step 6: Embalming and Preparation

Embalming is required for international air transport. Swiss funeral directors in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, and most major resort towns have repatriation experience. For Alpine resort deaths, the local funeral director handles initial preparation before transfer to the airport city.

Step 7: Flights to the UK

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the primary cargo hub with direct British Airways and Swiss International Air Lines flights to London Heathrow. Geneva Airport (GVA) offers direct UK connections (Heathrow and Gatwick). For Valais (Verbier, Zermatt) deaths, the body is typically transferred to Geneva. For Graubuenden (Davos) and Bern (Grindelwald) deaths, Zurich is the natural routing.

Step 8: UK Arrival Formalities

On arrival in the UK, the coroner reviews the case. All translated documents must accompany the consignment notes. The local registrar then issues a UK death certificate.

Getting Help

Repatriate Service handles the full Switzerland process, including cantonal authority identification, Staatsanwaltschaft liaison, and Rega coordination for Alpine cases. For ski resort deaths, call immediately: the earlier we are involved, the smoother the handover from Rega to police to documentation.