What to do if a Foreigner dies in Korea

• Contact the Authorities
  When death occurs, the first thing to do is contact the local emergency services (119) or police (117). They will dispatch a team to confirm the death and issue a preliminary report.
• Notify the Embassy or Consulate
  The embassy or consulate of the deceased's home country must be contacted and notified of the death so they can help in contacting the remaining family members, help with the processing of the documents, and arrange the repatriation of the remains if necessary.
• Obtain a Death Certificate
  This will be issued by the hospital or facility where the deceased was taken. Ensure that you get both the Korean and English copy of the document.

• Legal Representative
  The family can then appoint a legal representative that will go to Korea and process the paperwork needed or provide a Special Power of Attorney so that the embassy or consul officer can act on their behalf.
• Cremation, Embalming, or Burial
  In the absence of a will, the family can choose to cremate or enbalm the remains. They can also choose to bury the remains in South Korea or repatriate the remains to their home country.
• Funeral Homes
  Funeral homes in South Korea handle most aspects of the service, and many offer both Korean and Western style funerals.

Deaths that happen overseas are usually registered in the country the person has died in. The next of kin or another representative must notify the local distric office of the death. A report of death (사망신고서) must be filled and submitted with a small fee.

A Death Certificate (사망진단서) issued by the medical authorities, needs to e submitted to prove the actual death.

Foreign deaths are investigated by the local police

• Death Certificate (사망진단서 or 사체검안서)
• 해당국가대사 확인서
• 본국송환확인서
• Quarantine Certificate (검역증)
• The Passport of the deceased 사망자 여권 (Original)
• Proof of legal relationship of the deceased (Copy of the decesased will or testament designating the person as the legal representative or executor with the responsibility to handle the deceased's affairs) or Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate, or other documents showing familial relationship to the deceased.
• Copy of the Legal Representative's paspport or official ID

• Immigration Office
• Employer
• Bank and Insurance companies