What happens when a foreigner dies here?
Due to the serious illness of a friend recently I was forced into doing some research. Here is what I found out:
If a patient dies at home:
Call the police. Immediately. Don?t wait regardless of the time. They will contact a doctor and do the pronouncing. Once that is done and their paperwork is done they contact the funeral home. I had contacted two of them and my recommendation is Baldino the woman in Santo Domingo was incredibly helpful and spoke excellent English. the number there is 809-533-3232. We wanted to make sure we knew what to expect ahead of time.
They will arrange to pick up the body. All foreigners who die here must undergo an autopsy. This is done in Santo Domingo and occasionally is done in Santiago.
Depending on your choices:
- cremation is done in Santo Domingo. You can go pick up the remains or they will ship them to you in country.
- Burial ? a casket is chosen and then you arrange either burial here or shipment to another country. They will arrange all of that for you.
I was quoted $1,850 US for services including cremation. Other prices will vary depending on casket, shipping etc.
If the patient dies in hospital, the police are called once the person is pronounced and then the funeral home is contacted.
I hope this is helpful to others! Fortunately we did not have to use their services!
Due to the serious illness of a friend recently I was forced into doing some research. Here is what I found out:
If a patient dies at home:
Call the police. Immediately. Don?t wait regardless of the time. They will contact a doctor and do the pronouncing. Once that is done and their paperwork is done they contact the funeral home. I had contacted two of them and my recommendation is Baldino the woman in Santo Domingo was incredibly helpful and spoke excellent English. the number there is 809-533-3232. We wanted to make sure we knew what to expect ahead of time.
They will arrange to pick up the body. All foreigners who die here must undergo an autopsy. This is done in Santo Domingo and occasionally is done in Santiago.
Depending on your choices:
- cremation is done in Santo Domingo. You can go pick up the remains or they will ship them to you in country.
- Burial ? a casket is chosen and then you arrange either burial here or shipment to another country. They will arrange all of that for you.
I was quoted $1,850 US for services including cremation. Other prices will vary depending on casket, shipping etc.
If the patient dies in hospital, the police are called once the person is pronounced and then the funeral home is contacted.
I hope this is helpful to others! Fortunately we did not have to use their services!