Q:

[Series 2] I live in Nagoya City. What should I do if I want to send the body or ashes of a deceased family member to my home country?　

 

A:

When sending a body or ashes to a foreign country, you must complete not only the procedures required in Japan, but also the procedures required for acceptance in your home country.
Since the required documents and regulations vary depending on the country, you should first contact your home country's embassy or consulate for confirmation.

It is also a good idea to consult a funeral company that handles international transport as early as possible. Here, however, we will explain the general flow of the procedures as basic information.

 

(1) When sending the body to your home country

<Main flow>

Death → Storage of the body → Embalming*1 → Preparation of necessary documents → Arrangement of air transport → Departure in a coffin

<What to check and prepare>

・Contact your home country's embassy or consulate.

・Check what documents are required by your home country.

・Decide where to place the body.

・Check if embalming*1 (treatment to prevent the body from decomposing) is required.

・Find and consult a funeral company that handles international transport.

・Check the requirements and conditions of the airline.

* Depending on the country, it may not be possible for the body to be accepted.

 

(2) When sending or taking the ashes to your home country

<Main flow>
Death → Cremation → Receiving a Burial/Cremation Permit → Checking with the airline →

Taking or sending the ashes to your home country

<What to check>
・Contact your home country's embassy or consulate.

・Check what documents are required by your home country.

・Check with the airline whether the ashes can be carried onto the aircraft.

* The Burial/Cremation Permit may need to be presented at the airport or in your home country. Please keep it in a safe place.

 

★Review★ Main procedures required at the ward office and other locations when a family member passes away

Please check [Series (1)]. → https://x.gd/92zvt

・Submit a Death Notification to the ward office (within 7 days).
・Receive a Burial/Cremation Permit from the ward office.
・Return the residence card of the deceased person to the Immigration Bureau (within 14 days).

・Contact your home country's embassy or consulate.　
・Complete health insurance and pension procedures at the ward office (within 5 to 14 days).

 

(Others) Main procedures required outside of the ward office

(1) Taxes and Vehicles:

Check with the tax office, prefectural tax office, Aichi Transport Branch Office, etc.

(2) Pensions and Real Estate:

Check with the pension office, Nagoya Legal Affairs Bureau, etc.

(3) Housing and Water:

Check with the housing supply corporation, the contracted real estate agency, etc.

(4) Bank Accounts, Mobile Phones, Electricity, and Gas:

Check with the relevant bank, mobile phone company, and utility providers.

 

* Nagoya City provides detailed information on its official website about what to do after a family member passes away.

https://www.city.nagoya.jp/kurashi/todokede/1007851/1034702/1008128.html