Death of a US Citizen Abroad

Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad

The U.S. Embassy can assist family and friends during this difficult time.  Following the death of a loved one, the legal next of kin needs to choose a funeral home as quickly as possible. The family or legal representative is responsible for all funeral home arrangements and repatriation costs for the remains and personal effects (if applicable).  We will work with any funeral home selected by the family to ensure proper documentation for repatriation of remains to the United States.  A list of funeral homes and other procedures are explained below.

Even if no assistance is needed in making funeral arrangements, the death of a U.S. citizen, whether resident or tourist in Nicaragua, should be reported to the U.S. Embassy so that a Consular Report of Death Abroad can be issued and reported to all concerning government agencies.

As of October 16, 2023, the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua issues electronically the form DS-2060, U.S. Department of State Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad (CRODA).

The electronic CRODA contains the digital signature of the consular officer who signed the form with a time and date stamp when it was signed on the form’s  Signature on all copies.

Nicaraguan Laws & General Fees

Costs for preparing and returning the body to the United States must be paid by next of kin or a legal representative.

Nicaraguan law requires disposition of remains (either cremation or burial) within 24 hours unless the remains are to be shipped outside the country or embalmed. The following paragraphs explain the options you have for making your decisions.

The cost for preparation and burial in Managua, Nicaragua is approximately $2,000.00 dollars.

Should you decide to have the remains returned to the United States for burial, the costs would be substantially greater due to the high cost of air freight and embalming.

The cost for preparation of remains for shipment of a body to the United States is approximately $4,500.00 dollars, not including taxes. The cost for air freight shipment is dependent on where the body will be shipped.

The total cost for preparation, cremation and air shipment of ashes to the United States is approximately $3,500.00 dollars.

Preparation and air shipment are carried out in accordance with the laws of and facilities available in Nicaragua. In some cases, the services fall short of those expected in the United States. We recommend that you ask your local funeral director to determine the advisability of viewing the remains.

Funeral Homes

While there are many small funeral homes in Managua and other cities in Nicaragua, the four funeral homes listed below can handle emergency cases in most areas of the country.

The Embassy assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the funeral homes whose names appear on this list. The names of the funeral homes are arranged alphabetically and the order in which they appear has no other significance.

El Alba Funeral Home

Jorge Luis Herrera, Manager
Ph: (505) 2249-3584
Cel: (505) 8396-8484
Fax: (505) 2248-3826
E-Mail: info@funerariaelalba.com

Sucursal Diriamba

Ph: (505) 7872-0080
Cel: (505) 8373-2719
Email: sucursal.diriamba@funerariaelalba.com

La Católica y La Auxiliadora Funeral Home

Lic. Evel Zuniga, General Administration Representative and Legal Adviser
Ph: (505) 2248-3282, ext. 108
Cel: (505) 8389-5761
Fax: (505) 2249-3476
E-Mail: ventas@funerarialacatolica.com

Monte de Los Olivos Funeral Home

Alejandro Cardenal, General Manager
Teléfono: (505) 2278-0217 / (505) 2278-4205
Celular: (505) 8590-9832 / (505) 8440-3007
General Manager: (505) 8810-2237
Email: info@funerariamontedelosolivos.com

Sierras de Paz Funeral Home

Julio Rocha Cerna, Manager
Ph: (505) 2278-7478
Cel: (505) 8810-1744
E-Mail: ventas@sierrasdepaz.com.ni

Next of Kin

Next-of-kin is established in the following order:

legal spouse
if no spouse, then all children
if no children, then all parents
if no parents, then all siblings
if no siblings, then all grandparents.

It is the responsibility of the next-of-kin to:

Make arrangements for the disposition of remains and personal effects of the deceased, often with the assistance of a Nicaraguan funeral home.
Pay for mortuary and related expenses.

Consular Report of Death of a US Citizen Abroad

To register the death of a U.S. citizen in Nicaragua, the NOK or your legal agent (the Nicaraguan funeral home, for example) will need to do the following:

Register the Death Certificate issued by the Ministry of Health with the Civil Registry (City Hall).
Submit the following documents to the Consular Section between 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday thru Thursday:
1. Copy of Death Registry issued by the Ministry of Health
2. Original Death Certificate issued by the Civil Registry
3. Deceased U.S. Citizen’s Passport
4. If applicable, deceased U.S. Citizen’s Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate, if dual national; and
5. Social Security Card

Personal Estates of Deceased U.S. Citizens

If the deceased has no legal representative or relative in Nicaragua, a consular officer may take temporary possession of the deceased’s personal effects. It is generally best for next of kin and/or a legal representative to travel to Nicaragua to dispose of the estate. In some cases, next of kin may choose to consult with a Nicaraguan attorney.

For additional information click here.

U.S. Embassy In Nicaragua