Italian Consular and Diplomatic offices provide assistance in the repatriation of human remains or cremated remains of Italian citizens who have passed away abroad by issuing the Mortuary Passport.
The Mortuary Passport is a certificate by which the Consular Office certifies that all the procedures required by Italian law have been fulfilled, thus allowing the remains to enter and be interred in Italy.
The Consulate can issue the Mortuary Passport only after having obtained prior Clearance (Nulla Osta) from the Italian Municipality where the remains will be interred. The Consulate itself will request this clearance from the Municipality.
The possibility of keeping an urn in a place other than a cemetery (e.g. a private residence) and/or of scattering ashes is regulated by the Municipality. Families are therefore strongly advised to contact the relevant Municipality before requesting the repatriation of ashes.
In order for the Consulate to request the clearance from the Municipality, the family of the deceased (preferably the next of kin) or the funeral home appointed by the family must first send the documents listed in the section “Documents to be submitted” to the following email address: assistenza.miami@esteri.it
Documents to be submitted to the Consulate
In case of repatriation of CREMATED REMAINS:
- Request for the registration of the death certificate (richiesta trascrizione dell’atto di morte), signed by the next of kin of the deceased;
- Request for the repatriation of ashes signed by the next of kin of the deceased, together with a copy of the applicant’s photo ID;
- Extended death certificate (long form, including cause of death), legalized with Apostille. For married women, the maiden name must be legible;
- Full translation of the death certificate into Italian (translation does not require Apostille);
- Document proving the Italian citizenship of the deceased (passport, birth certificate, etc.);
- Cremation certificate. The signature on the certificate must be notarized by a Notary Public;
- Affidavit drafted by the director of the funeral home on company letterhead. The signature must be notarized by a Notary Public.
Once the Consulate has verified the accuracy and completeness of the documents sent by email, the airline ticket may be purchased (please allow approximately 3 weeks for the issuance of the Municipality clearance and the Mortuary Passport). Flight details must be sent by email to the Consulate.
Subsequently, all the above-listed documents, along with:
- Data sheet;
- Money Order corresponding to the service fee (art. 66H of the Consular Fee Table);
- Original passport of the deceased (if still valid) for its invalidation;
- Prepaid, self-addressed return envelope (to be used for sending back the Mortuary Passport);
must be sent in original to the following address:
Consulate General of Italy
4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 590
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Attn: Assistance Office
In case of repatriation of HUMAN REMAINS:
- Request for the registration of the death certificate (richiesta trascrizione dell’atto di morte), signed by the next of kin of the deceased;
- Request for the repatriation of the body signed by the next of kin of the deceased, together with a copy of the applicant’s photo ID;
- Extended death certificate (long form, including cause of death), legalized with Apostille. For married women, the maiden name must be legible;
- Full translation of the death certificate into Italian (translation does not require Apostille);
- Document proving the Italian citizenship of the deceased (passport, birth certificate, etc.);
- Medical certificate on hospital or physician’s letterhead, stating the cause of death and confirming the absence of infectious diseases;
- Certificate issued by the County Health Department where the death occurred, confirming that no epidemic diseases were present in the county at the time of death, that the deceased did not die of contagious disease, and that the remains have been treated in accordance with State law;
- Affidavit drafted by the director of the funeral home on company letterhead. The signature must be notarized by a Notary Public.
Once the Consulate has verified the accuracy and completeness of the documents sent by email, the airline ticket may be purchased (please allow approximately 3 weeks for the issuance of the Municipality clearance and the Mortuary Passport). Flight details must be sent by email to the Consulate.
Subsequently, all the above-listed documents, along with:
- Data sheet;
- Money Order corresponding to the service fee (art. 66H of the Consular Fee Table);
- Original passport of the deceased (if still valid) for its invalidation;
- Prepaid, self-addressed return envelope (to be used for sending back the Mortuary Passport);
must be sent in original to the following address:
Consulate General of Italy
4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 590
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Attn: Assistance Office