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INFORMATION IN CASE OF DEATH OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN IN KOREA
Death is a time of crisis for one's family and friends no matter where
it takes place. If death occurs overseas the experience can be even more
traumatic, especially if the procedures involved are not clearly understood.
Consequently, we in the American Citizen Services Unit of the Consular
Section at the Embassy in Seoul hope that the information provided herein
will be of some use to the American community in the Republic of Korea.
Deaths of Americans in hospitals and mental institutions are automatically
reported to the appropriate Korean authorities. Any death of a U.S. citizen
should be reported immediately to the police and to the Embassy. During
working hours the appropriate Embassy office is the American Citizen Services
Unit (telephone: 397-4339 or 397-4441 from commercial lines), (721-4339
or 721-4441 from U.S. military lines). After duty hours, the Embassy duty
officer should be contacted as soon as possible at 397-4114.
The Embassy is required to report the death of American civilians to their
next of kin and to the Department of State. Consequently, we need to know
the deceased person's name, date and place of birth, passport number,
date and place of death, cause of death, and location of the remains.
We also need the full name and address of the next of kin and any instructions
regarding funeral arrangements.
If the next of kin or another individual who is responsible for making
the funeral arrangements is in Korea, a suitable funeral home should be
contacted. To the best of our knowledge, there is a funeral home in Korea
that provides adequate embalming service: Global Mortuary Service Co.,
#9-13, Dongja-dong, Yongsan-ku, Seoul 140-170, Korea (telephone 777-0903,
FAX: 777-1173, Cell Phone: 017-221-6329).
Costs for funeral arrangements for a deceased American citizen are expensive
and the quoted costs in this information sheet will fluctuate with inflation.
If costs are to be borne by relatives or friends in the United States,
the quickest means of transmission is telegraphically via Western Union
Money Order to the Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, Washington,
D.C. 20520 (telephone: 202-647-5225). Western Union (telephone: 800-325-6000
or 4176) should be advised that a money order is to be sent to the above
address, made payable to the Department of State. There is a Department
of State fee of $20.00 for the transmission. With the money order, depositers
must transmit a message indicating their name, address and telephone number,
as well as the name of the deceased, and indicate the funds are to be
transmitted to the American Embassy, Seoul, Korea. A separate telegram
should be sent to the Department of State conveying the instructions for
the disposition of the remains. This telegram must include the complete
name and address of the U.S. funeral director if shipment to the U.S.
is desired. The telephone number for the office of Overseas Citizen's
Services (OCS) in the Department of State is 202-647-5225 during the hours
8:45 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. At all other times
call 202-647-4000.
If funds are provided from the United States, we must have confirmation
that the necessary funds have been deposited with the Department of State
or with the Embassy before instructing the funeral home to make the necessary
arrangements. A deposit as follows is required if the remains are to be:
- Shipped to the United States $7,216.00
- Cremated and ashes shipped to the U.S. $2,000.00
- Buried in Seoul $6,000.00
- Cremated and local distribution of ashes $1,750.00
Any unused funds will be returned after all bills have been paid. If funds
are provided locally, there are two options: deposit funds with the Embassy
or make arrangements directly with the funeral home. Please note that
all costs are subject to change.
While the cost of burial in Seoul is estimated to be $6,000.00, the cost
will vary depending on where in the country the remains must be transported
and the quality of casket desired. Likewise, the cost for cremation and
local disposition of the ashes will vary from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00,
depending on the location of the remains (Exchange Rate: $1.00 = Won 1,200).
If the remains are shipped to the United States they must first be embalmed.
The Embassy can assist in arranging the embalming.
It is imperative that the necessary funds and instructions are provided
as soon as possible after a death occurs. Embalming is not customary in
Korea, and storage facilities are generally inadequate outside of Seoul.
Provisional burial would usually take place a maximum of a week after
death. Funeral homes are unable to transport the remains to Seoul until
they have assurances from the family, either directly or through the Embassy,
that payment is guaranteed.
The Embassy cannot authorize any preparation of remains to mortuary facilities
in Seoul for shipment to the U.S. until the proper funds are deposited
with the office of Overseas Citizens Services in the Department of State,
or directly with the Embassy.
The Embassy prepares a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad for
every civilian American who dies in Korea. This certificate is based on
the Korean death certificate and is valid for use in the United States.
In addition, a consular mortuary certificate is prepared if the remains
are to be shipped to the United States. Unless the legal next of kin is
in Korea, the Embassy acts on behalf of the executor as the provisional
custodian of the estate of any civilian American.
Updated September 23, 2003
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