Consular Report Of Death Abroad (CRODA)

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City serves the families of Americans who die in its Consular District, which includes the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco.

In case of a citizen's death abroad, it is critical that families contract a funeral home to help them carry out funeral arrangements.  The Embassy maintains a list of funeral homes operating within its Consular District that have been used by U.S. citizens in Mexico.  Funeral services and preparations are carried out in accordance with the laws and facilities available in Mexico, but in some cases they may fall short of those expected in the U.S. 

Although Embassy staff are unable to act as agents for American citizens making funeral arrangements, we can help locate and notify the next-of-kin of their loved one's passing, inform families about the Mexican legal requirements for claiming a loved one's remains, and assist in shipping personal effects to the United States. 

The next-of-kin is responsible for  all costs of the funeral home, and/or shipment of remains or personal effects.  It is also the responsibility of the family to carry out the funeral arrangements with assistance from the contracted funeral home.  Please be aware that Mexican authorities will often request identification documents for both the next-of-kin and the decedent, such as passports, birth certificates, or marriage certificates. 

The U.S. Embassy also prepares a Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad based on the local Mexican death certificate.  This document can be used in most legal proceedings in the United States as proof of death overseas.  To prepare this document, Embassy staff will need original evidence of U.S. citizenship of the decedent and the original Mexican death certificate.

For more information on Embassy assistance regarding death of U.S. citizens abroad, we highly advise you to visit the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City's website.