Emergencies

Death of a U.S. Citizen 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, especially if the procedures involved are not clearly understood.  We in the American Citizen Services Unit hope that this information will be of some use to you in this difficult time.
 
The death of an American in a hospital or other medical facility is automatically reported to the appropriate Slovene authorities.  Any death of a U.S. citizen should be reported immediately to the Embassy, and if the death occurs outside of a medical facility, then it should also be reported immediately to the nearest medical authorities so that they may send a coroner.  Please see the Key Information box on the right-hand side of this page for full contact information for the Embassy, including an after-hours emergency telephone number.  
 
When we learn of the death of an American citizen, we are required to report it to the legal next of kin and to the Department of State.  Therefore, it will be very helpful for us to know the deceased person's name, date and place of birth, passport number, date and place of death, cause of death, and current location.  It will also help us to know the full name and address of the next of kin, and instructions regarding funeral arrangements, if those decisions have been made already.

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 in the process of transferring funds from the United States to Slovenia to cover the related expenses.  We can also help with shipment of any personal effects.
 
We have had good experience working with the Žale Funeral Home in Ljubljana but we would be happy to work with another funeral home here if the family prefers. If the family wishes to have the remains transported to the United States, it will be best to go ahead and select a funeral home in the U.S. to help with the receiving arrangements.
 
Below are estimates of costs, for planning purposes.  Actual costs will vary somewhat.

• Embalmed and transported to the U.S.: $3,700.00
• Cremated and transported to the U.S.: $900.00
• Embalmed and buried in Slovenia: $1,200.00
• Cremated and buried in Slovenia: $600.00 

If the cause of death cannot be determined readily or if the attending medical or law enforcement authorities request it, then an autopsy must be performed under Slovene law, even if the next-of-kin objects. If the next of kin disagrees with the medical authority’s recorded cause of death, then the next of kin may request an autopsy.  Depending on the autopsy results, the case may then be forwarded to the police, who may have to investigate further. Only once any required police investigation is completed can the coroner issue a final certificate, which is required to issue a Slovene death certificate. 

Based upon the Slovene death certificate, the Embassy will prepare a Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad. This document can be used to help settle any required legal affairs in the United States, such as estate and insurance matters.  If the legal next of kin is not in Slovenia, then the Embassy can act on behalf of the executor as the provisional custodian of the estate and any personal effects of a deceased American.