Death of Filipino Nationals, Shipment of Remains and Report of Death

The Embassy is ready to assist the family and next-of-kin of a deceased Filipino national.

First Step. Contact a Funeral Company

In the unfortunate event of death, it is necessary for the grieving family to contact a reputable funeral company who will make the necessary arrangements for the disposal of the deceased’s remains, coordinate with the hospital, police and other local authorities, and provide guidance to the family on the necessary documentation and procedures. Should the family need assistance in looking for a reputable funeral company, please call the Embassy through mobile number: +39 334 658 2118.

It is important to mention that it is the primary responsibility of the family, including the spouse, adult children, parents, siblings of the deceased, to cover the financial obligations related to the repatriation/cremation of remains, especially if the deceased Filipino is not an active OWWA member.

If the deceased is an OFW, it is the primary responsibility of the employer to ship the human remains of the deceased employee to the Philippines. If it can be proven that the employer is not legally responsible to shoulder the shipment and the deceased is an active OWWA member upon death, please contact OWWA-Rome through telephone number 06 5575702 or through email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the verification of the deceased’s membership so that OWWA can assist accordingly.

Please note that OWWA does not reimburse fees paid by the NOK in advance. OWWA must be contacted prior to engaging the services of any funeral agency if the NOK intends to avail of OWWA’s repatriation benefits.

Financial assistance can only be sought from the Philippine government if the family is “indigent” or extremely poor and none of the family has income to cover the expenses for the repatriation/cremation of remains. For more information, please call the ATN Unit through phone number 06 39746621 local 207 or through email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Second Step. Personal appearance of the next-of-kin at the Embassy for the issuance of Nulla Osta per Morte.

• The next-of-kin is the closest living relative who has the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the deceased individual when it comes to the disposition of remains. The specific order of next-of-kin follows this order:

1. Spouse: The surviving husband or wife of the deceased.
2. Adult Children: If there is no surviving spouse, adult children is the next in line to make decisions.
3. Parents: If the deceased is single and has no adult children, the parents may become the next-of-kin.
4. Siblings: If the deceased has no surviving spouse, children, or parents, siblings may have the legal authority to make decisions.

• Nulla Osta per Morte (Certificate of No Objection) is required by local authorities for the cremation or transport of remains to the Philippines.

REQUIREMENTS for the issuance of Nulla Osta per Morte:

1. Personal appearance of the next-of-kin (NOK)
2. Duly accomplished Embassy forms
3. Passport of the Deceased for cancellation
4. Passport/Carta D’Identita of the NOK
5. Death Certificate issued by the hospital or doctor stating the cause of death
6. Nulla Ostra from the Magistrate, for non-natural/violent death cases (e.g. accident, suicide, etc.)
7. Proof of relationship
   1. Spouse: PSA Marriage Certificate
   2. Adult Children: PSA Birth Certificate of Children and PSA Death Certificate of the Deceased’s Spouse
   3. Parent: PSA Birth Certificate of the Deceased, PSA Marriage Certificate and PSA Death Certificate of the Deceased’s Spouse or PSA Certificate of No Marriage
   4. Sibling: PSA Birth Certificate of the Deceased, PSA Marriage Certificate and PSA Death Certificate of the Deceased’s Spouse or PSA Certificate of No Marriage, PSA Death Certificate of Parents, PSA Birth Certificate of Siblings.
8. Notarized Special Power of Attorney, if the NOK cannot appear personally at the Embassy. The NOK should mention in the SPA his/her chosen disposition of remains and the destination of thereof.

Important Note: Mandatory turn-over of passports of deceased individuals. A passport that was issued to a now deceased individual, whether valid or expired, shall be turned over to the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy, being the propriety owner thereof, for cancellation and proper disposal, except when the same will be used for the processing of lawful claims or is the subject of a judicial or administrative proceeding or is to be used for any other lawful purpose. A confirmation receipt shall be issued by the Embassy to the NOK surrendering the passport of the deceased individual.

Third Step. Once the Nulla Osta is issued, the funeral company will work with the local authorities to obtain all the necessary documents and permits required for the cremation or transportation of the remains to the Philippines.

Final Step. The funeral company and/or NOK shall submit the following documents to the Embassy for the processing of Report of Death/Consular Mortuary Certificate/ Certificate to Transport the Ashes:

Important: The Embassy can not legally accept the registration of Report of Death of former Filipino citizens who did not apply for the retention/reacquisition of their Filipino citizenship. Their Death Certificates issued in Italy (with English translation) should be apostilled by the Prefetura for the document to be valid for use in the Philippines.

Should you need clarification or further information, please call the ATN Unit through phone number 06 39746621 local 207 or through email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.