U.S. Embassy in Slovenia

U.S. Citizen Death in Slovenia

Death is a time of crisis for family and friends no matter where it takes place, but when it occurs overseas, the experience can be even more traumatic.  We in the Consular Section hope that the following information will be of some use to you in this difficult time.

Once our Embassy learns of a death, either from a Slovenian government authority, or a family member, our first priority is to notify the legal next-of-kin and support the family.  We can issue a U.S. Consular Report of Death Abroad.  We can assist in carrying out the family’s wishes for embalming or cremation, burial in Slovenia, or transportation to the United States.  Unfortunately, the Embassy cannot pay for these services, but if necessary we can help the family transfer funds to Slovenia to cover the related expenses.  We can also help with the shipment of any personal effects.  See Embassy contact information at right.

U.S. Consular Report of Death Abroad

This document can be used to help settle any required legal affairs in the United States, such as estate and insurance matters.  In order for us to issue the Consular Report of Death Abroad (equivalent of a U.S. death certificate), we would need to receive:

• Original Slovenian death certificate
• Slovenian medical statement on cause of death
• Burial information
• Original U.S. passport
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Official Next-of-Kin, with telephone and address

If a U.S. Consular Report of Death Abroad was issued previously, it may be possible to acquire additional copies at a later date.  See Consular Report of Death Abroad page.

Autopsy

In a case where the cause of death cannot be readily determined or if the attending medical/law enforcement authority requests one, an autopsy will be performed.  Alas, this will occur even if the next-of-kin objects.  The next-of-kin may him or herself also request an autopsy if they disagree with the medical authority’s recorded cause of death.  Depending on the autopsy results, the case may then be forwarded to the police.  Only once any required police investigation is completed can the coroner issue a final certificate, which is required to issue a Slovene death certificate.

Funeral preparations in Slovenia

There are a number of funeral homes in Slovenia – both in Ljubljana and throughout the country.  Below are estimates of costs:

• Cremation and burial in Slovenia: $900.00
• Embalming and burial in Slovenia: $1,500.00
• Cremation and transportion to the U.S.: $1,200.00
• Embalming and transportion to the U.S.: $3,700.00

Transportation of Remains to the United States

If the family wishes to have the remains transported to the United States, it will be best to also select a funeral home in the United States to help with the receiving arrangements.  Please note that Slovenia does not permit cremated remains (ashes) to be released directly to a family member.  Thus, it is not possible for someone to hand-carry ashes to the United States.

For transportation of remains to the United States, the U.S. Embassy will first issue a Consular Mortuary Certificate.

CDC requirements for importing human remains depend upon if the body has been embalmed, cremated, or if the person died from a quarantinable communicable disease.  At this time, COVID-19 is a quarantinable communicable disease in the United States and the remains must meet the standards for importation found in 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 71.55 and may be cleared, released, and authorized for entry into the United States only under the following conditions:

• The remains are cremated; OR
• The remains are properly embalmed and placed in a hermetically sealed casket; OR
• The remains are accompanied by a permit issued by the CDC Director. The CDC permit (if applicable) must accompany the human remains at all times during shipment.
• Permits for the importation of the remains of a person known or suspected to have died from a quarantinable communicable disease may be obtained through the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 or emailing dgmqpolicyoffice@cdc.gov.

Please see CDC’s guidance for additional information.

Estates (Personal Effects)

Usually when an American citizen dies overseas, a family member or friend will manage the estate (personal effects) left behind.  In the event the deceased has no representatives in Slovenia, the U.S. Embassy will assist.  See Estates of Deceased U.S. Citizens for more information.

Death in the United States

Transportation of Remains to Slovenia

If your loved one died in the United States and you will be transporting the remains (including ashes) to Slovenia, you will need to work with the Slovenian Embassy in Washington, DC (email: consular.washington@gov.si).  In addition, you will need to make arrangements with both a funeral home in the United States and a funeral home in Slovenia, even if only transporting ashes.

Transportation of remains requires a post-mortem passport.  The Slovenian Embassy will need the following documents in order to issue a post mortem passport:

1. Passport of the deceased

2. Certified copy of death certificate with apostille seal. The cause of death has to be clearly stated in the death certificate. If not, the physician must provide a statement, giving the cause of death. Apostille seal is in most states issued by the Office of the Secretary of State. Find the competent authority.
3. Burial Transit Permit, issued by the competent authority of the United States; OR
4. Cremation Certificate: Provided by a funeral home if the remains are transferred in an urn.
5. Consent of the cemetery administration for burial or scattering of the cremated remains at the cemetery in Slovenia
6. Data on air carrier, flight number, date and port of entry into Slovenia
7. Name and passport number of a person who will accompany the urn (if  applicable)
8. Address and telephone number of the relatives in Slovenia, who will arrange the burial (if applicable)
9. Self-addressed, prepaid express envelope (to receive post mortem passport and other original documents).

There is no fee to issue post mortem passport. The Slovenian embassy will return the original death certificate and other documents when issuing the post-mortem passport.

In addition to working directly with an airline on their specific policies for transportation of remains, you should note TSA requirements for screening of urns containing ashes.

Slovenian citizens / Spouse of Slovenian citizen: Registering death in Slovenia

If the deceased is a Slovenian citizen or spouse of Slovenian citizen, the death should be registered in Slovenia.  The family should bring original death certificate, authenticated with the apostille seal, to the respective Administrative Unit (Upravna Enota) which will register the death of Slovenian citizen in the official registry.  The death certificate and apostille seal need to be translated into Slovenian language. If you have not arranged for translation in the U.S. you may send it to the court interpreter in Slovenia.  If Death Certificate is sent to the Slovenian Embassy in Washington, DC, they will send it to the Administrative Unit provided that it is duly legalized and translated.