Country & community guides
Funeral traditions around the world
There is no single way to say goodbye. Find local requirements, learn about traditions, and choose the steps that fit your family.
Covering China, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore and all 20 Spanish-speaking countries, plus Puerto Rico and Hispanic families in the United States.
26 guides
Asia & Pacific
China
Ask the local civil-affairs office which rules apply before choosing burial or cremation.
Read guideEurope
Iceland
A funeral director and the district commissioner can help separate the service choices from the paperwork.
Read guideAsia & Pacific
New Zealand
Choose a support person and ask who will handle death registration while the whānau discusses the farewell.
Read guideAsia & Pacific
Singapore
Begin with medical certification and ask the funeral provider about the chosen faith or secular service.
Read guideLatin America
Argentina
Contact the Registro Civil where the death occurred and a local funeral provider.
Read guideLatin America
Bolivia
Ask a local Oficialía de Registro Civil about death registration before finalizing the funeral.
Read guideLatin America
Chile
Request the medical certificate and ask Registro Civil about the inscripción de defunción and burial pass.
Read guideLatin America
Colombia
Request the medical certificate and contact a notary or Registraduría office about registration.
Read guideLatin America
Costa Rica
Ask the care team how the declaration reaches Registro Civil, and keep the provider’s contact details.
Read guideLatin America
Cuba
Get medical certification and ask the local Registro del Estado Civil about the official death record.
Read guideLatin America
Dominican Republic
Request the medical certificate and ask the Oficialía del Estado Civil how to declare the death.
Read guideLatin America
Ecuador
Ask the doctor for the death report and confirm registration with Registro Civil.
Read guideLatin America
El Salvador
Ask the attending doctor and municipal registry what must happen before the funeral.
Read guideAfrica
Equatorial Guinea
Contact a local health professional, civil registry and, for a visitor, the relevant consulate.
Read guideLatin America
Guatemala
Request the medical report and identity documents, then contact RENAP and the funeral provider.
Read guideLatin America
Honduras
Obtain medical certification and contact the Registro Nacional de las Personas.
Read guideLatin America
Mexico
Begin with medical certification and the Registro Civil in the state where the death occurred.
Read guideLatin America
Nicaragua
Request the medical death documentation and contact the municipal Registro Civil.
Read guideLatin America
Panama
Ask for the medical certificate and confirm the death record with Registro Civil.
Read guideLatin America
Paraguay
Contact Registro del Estado Civil and ask the care team for the death certificate.
Read guideLatin America
Peru
Request the medical certificate and ask RENIEC where to register the death.
Read guideEurope
Spain
Request medical certification and ask the funeral provider about Registro Civil and the local mortuary-health rules.
Read guideLatin America
Uruguay
Request medical certification and confirm who will register the death.
Read guideLatin America
Venezuela
Ask the care team for medical certification and confirm the local civil-registration process.
Read guideUnited States & territories
Puerto Rico
Request medical certification and ask the funeral provider about Registro Demográfico documentation.
Read guideUnited States & territories
Hispanic families in the United States
Choose a support person and a funeral provider who can explain options in your preferred language.
Read guideGeneral educational guidance, not legal advice. Customs vary within every country. Confirm current requirements with the local authority and a qualified funeral professional.