Angola: bereavement information
Updated 21 November 2022
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-information-for-angola/angola-bereavement-information
1. Disclaimer
This information is not meant to be definitive, nor is it to be taken as a substitute for independent legal advice. Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information. Some of the information may not be relevant to your circumstances. The language used is intended to be general and factual and is not meant to cause offence.
2. Introduction
The death of a relative or friend can be a traumatic experience. But when the death occurs overseas, the distress felt by relatives and friends can be compounded by unfamiliar local procedures and perhaps even the inability to communicate in the language of the country where the death has occurred. Our Consulate in Luanda and Consular Directorate of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London are ready to help in any way they properly can.
These notes are designed to help you through the practical arrangements you will need to make and to explain some of the procedures which may subsequently ensue. You should be aware that Angola procedures differ to those in the United Kingdom and that while we appreciate your need for speedy action, this is not always possible. In addition to this information, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office produces a Bereavement Guide which you may also find helpful. This is available on here.
3. Standard Procedures
When death occurs by natural causes in hospital or at home where the person has been under the supervision of a doctor for a known illness, there will normally be no police or court intervention. The attending doctor will certify the death. When death occurs suddenly, under suspicious circumstances or as a result of an accident, including a road traffic accident, the police will be called and they will report the facts to the relevant Public Prosecutor (Procurator) who will instigate an inquiry.
The Prosecutor may ask the police to investigate further, he may call witnesses for questioning and he will almost certainly instruct the Medical Examiner closest to the place of death, to carry out a post mortem examination. Under Angolan law, the Public Prosecutor’s inquiry is subject to judicial secrecy. In practice, this means that his file, including police and post mortem reports, cannot be made public until the inquiry has been formally concluded. This can take months, if not years. The next-of-kin, legal representative or Consulate may apply for a copy of the file or of a particular document therein at any time explaining why this is required, but this will normally only be made available on conclusion of the inquiry.
4. Storage
The deceased will normally be held at a local hospital morgue. However, you should be aware that storage facilities could vary depending on the part of the country. Although we will do everything we possibly can do to ensure the deceased is placed in appropriate storage we cannot guarantee the condition of the body.
5. Repatriation and Local Burial
The law does not specify a timescale for repatriation. It is the responsibility of the deceased’s next-of-kin to instruct a funeral agent. A list of local and international funeral agencies is attached to this guidance. Once the funeral agent has the next-of-kin’s signed authority to proceed, he will deal with all the relevant local procedures, including death registration.
If the deceased was insured, the insurance company should be informed as soon as possible so that consideration can be given to whether funeral arrangements are provided for under the terms of the policy. If so, it is possible that the insurance company will appoint and instruct the undertaker on your behalf. If there is no insurance cover, the cost of repatriation or local burial will need to be met by the family. Neither the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office nor British Embassy in Luanda has the resources to meet these expenses.
6. Post Mortem Examinations
Post mortem examinations can be ordered where death has occurred suddenly or under suspicious circumstances and they are part of the inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the death.
7. Death Registration and Local Certificate
Registration with the Angola Civil Registration Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil) is mandatory. This is normally dealt with by the funeral director. Please note that these procedures may take some time. If there has been a post mortem examination, the cause of death might not be known for some months and the post mortem report will not be released until the Prosecutor has concluded the inquiry.
8. UK Coroners
The Coroner in England and Wales is obliged by law to hold an inquest into the cause of any unnatural or violent death of a person whose remains physically lie in his or her area, even if the death occurred overseas and a post mortem has already been carried out before repatriation of the remains. Coroners may request copies of post mortem and police reports from the authorities in the country where death occurred.
9. Clothing and Personal belongings
Personal belongings found on the deceased at the time of the death are either handed over to the family if they are present or taken by the police to be handed over to the court or family members at a later stage. The Consulate cannot become involved in storing, collecting or forwarding personal belongings.
10. British Passport Cancellation
In order to avoid identity fraud, a deceased person’s passport should be sent to the British Embassy in Luanda or to His Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK for cancellation along with the attached form D1. Next of kin can request the passport to be returned. If the passport has been lost or mislaid, relatives should get in contact with either the British Embassy in Luanda or to His Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK for instructions on reporting its loss.
11. Useful addresses
Every care has been taken compiling this list. However, neither His Majesty’s Government nor the British Embassy in Luanda can act as guarantor of the competence or probity of any particular company, nor can they be held responsible in any way for consequences arising from advice accepted or action initiated.
| Organisation | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Consular Directorate | King Charles St, City of Westminster, London, SW1A 2AH | +44(0) 20 7008 1500 |
| British Embassy Luanda | Rua 17 de Setembro, Nº 4 | +244 222 334 583 |
| Victim Support | Cranmer House, 39 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DZ44 | +44 (0)845 3030 900 |
11.1 Funeral directors
Companies based in the United Kingdom
| Funeral director | Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Operative Funeral care international | 50 Whitta Road, Manor Park, London, E12 5DA | +44(0) 208 788 5303 | |
| Albin International Repatriation | [email protected] | 83 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UL | +44(0) 20 7313 6920 |
| Haven Repatriation Services | [email protected] | 13 The Broadway, Gunnersbury Lane, London, W3 8HR | +44(0) 20 8993 8767 |
| Rowland Brothers International | [email protected] | 299-305 Whitehorse Rd, Croydon, CR0 2HR | +44(0) 20 8684 2324 / 1667 |