Dealing with a Death in Jamaica
Autopsies
Whether or not an autopsy is carried out will depend on the circumstances of the death.
Autopsies will always be carried out for accidental deaths and murders - there may be an occasion where an autopsy is carried out for natural causes/illnesses. In cases of sudden deaths legal enquiries are made to determine whether the person died of natural causes or whether there was any foul play. If the pathologist concludes that someone died of natural causes or the cause of death is obvious i.e. someone was suffering from a serious illness then an autopsy is not necessary. In such cases a Doctor will issue a medical certificate giving the cause death. The medical certificate will then be sent to the general registrar’s office and the death will be registered and a death certificate will be issued.
In the cases of accidental deaths, murder or where foul play is suspected an investigating officer from the police force in the jurisdiction that the death occurred will be assigned to the case. A date for an autopsy will be decided by the Ministry of National Security and is normally carried out within 2 to 4 weeks of the death. If the results of the autopsy are conclusive an autopsy report will be completed and a cause of death will be given. If the results are inconclusive an autopsy report will not be issued and the death certificate will state the cause of death as pending. Samples will be taken from the body and further tests will be carried out at a later date.
Mortuary Facilities
Mortuary facilities in Jamaica may differ significantly to those in the UK. However the building does have to comply with the Jamaican National Building Code so the facilities should be at an acceptable standard. Cold storage facilities are available and the mortuary area should be separated from all other operations and away from public view.
Repatriation
For natural deaths the repatriation process can begin as soon as the medical certificate has been issued.
For all other deaths the repatriation process cannot begin until the autopsy report has been issued.
Once the relevant paperwork has been completed, a burial order is issued along with a permit to allow the body to be repatriated. This permit is issued by the relevant Public Health Department, either Montego Bay or Kingston. The Public Health Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are required to sign it.
Normally someone from the funeral home that is dealing with the repatriation will travel to the airport and liase with the immigration authorities to ensure that the repatriation takes place. All of the paperwork relating to the death will accompany the body back to the UK.
Repatriation of ashes
You will need to have a cremation certificate, a death certificate and a transit permit to allow the ashes to leave the country. The transit permit can be obtained from the Public Health Department in either Kingston or Montego Bay. If the ashes are to be returned via Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston you should go to the Kingston Public Health Dept. If they are to be returned via Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay you will need to go to Montego Bay Health Department.
To apply for a transit permit you will need to take the cremation certificate and death certificate to the relevant Public Health Department. Transit permits currently cost J$1000. It is advisable to call the Public Health Department in advance to let them know you require the permit.
Public Health Department contact information is as follows:
Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department
Marescaux Oscar Road
Kingston 5
Jamaica
Tel: (00) (1) (876) 926 1550
St James Public Health Department
Creek Street
PO Box 472
Montego Bay
Number 1 Post Office
Tel: (00) (1) (876) 976 7820.
Registering the death
If a medical certificate has been issued the certificate will be sent to the general registrar’s office and the death will be registered. Once the death has been registered a death certificate will be issued. Normally it is the funeral home dealing with the death that makes arrangements for the death certificate to be issued to the family.
In deaths where an autopsy has been completed the autopsy report is sent to the general registrar’s office. Once this is received a death certificate can be issued. If the results of the autopsy are inconclusive, the cause of death will be listed as pending on the death certificate.
Local Cremation
A local cremation is possible. The current fee for cremation is around J$39,000. There would be additional charges for preparation of the body, rental of the casket, transportation, flowers etc.
Obtaining autopsy reports
If the autopsy report is not available at the time of repatriation because the results of the autopsy were inconclusive, you can apply to the local police for a copy of the report at a later date. The British High Commission can assist you with this. They will send a fax to the Inspectors office at the local police station in the jurisdiction of the death. You should be aware that it can take several months for the autopsy report to be completed.
Obtaining copies of death certificates
You can either contact the funeral home that dealt with the death or call the general registrar’s office directly.
Return of Personal Effects
If a local burial or cremation is taking place then the personal effects will be secured by the funeral home and the next of kin notified. If the body is being repatriated then the personal effects can either be returned with the body or they can be disposed of locally. The funeral home will follow instructions from the relatives on this.
