It's a topic that few wish to discuss, but one that will ultimately need to be faced. The burden can be eased if you are prepared in advance for the procedures that follow the loss of a loved one, wherever you are in the world. There is a great deal to organise when somebody dies, and some aspects are handled differently in Spain. When you buy a villa in Moraira or elsewhere on the Costa Blanca North, it is sensible to understand the process and make arrangements in advance so that your family knows your wishes and can deal with matters as smoothly as possible.
You have now found a villa to buy in the Costa Blanca, but naturally you want to ensure that your family's future is secure should the unexpected happen. Understanding the procedures involved can reduce stress and help avoid difficult decisions at an already emotional time.
If you are living in Spain, it is advisable to find a local funeral director (tanatorio or empresa funeraria) who can communicate in both English and Spanish if required. Keep their contact details together with any written funeral wishes, details of your will, and any insurance or pre-paid funeral plan. Let your family or close friends know where these documents are stored.
It is also worth understanding the likely costs involved with a funeral, cremation or burial, and, where appropriate, repatriation to your home country. Many expatriates choose either funeral insurance (seguro de decesos) or a pre-paid funeral plan, which can remove much of the financial and administrative burden from those left behind.
When you buy a villa on the Costa Blanca and someone dies at home, the first step is to contact the emergency services by calling 112, Spain's multilingual emergency number. If the death is expected because the person was receiving palliative or ongoing medical care, their doctor should also be contacted as soon as possible. The attending doctor will normally certify the death if they are satisfied as to the cause.
If the death is sudden, unexpected, accidental or the cause is unknown, the emergency services and police will notify the appropriate judicial authorities. In these circumstances, a forensic doctor (médico forense) acting under the authority of the investigating court may become involved, and the body must not be moved or disturbed until permission has been given.
Once the necessary medical or judicial procedures have been completed, the funeral director you have chosen can arrange for the deceased to be transferred to the funeral home (tanatorio). If you already have a funeral plan in place, contact the provider immediately so that your wishes can be followed.
If somebody living in your home in Spain dies in hospital or in a residential care home, the medical staff will deal with the initial procedures and issue or arrange the Medical Certificate of Death where appropriate. If the cause of death is unclear or requires investigation, the judicial authorities may order a post-mortem examination.
Spanish hospitals will often contact a local funeral director if the family has not already appointed one. If you have made prior arrangements or hold a pre-paid funeral plan, inform the hospital staff immediately so that your chosen funeral provider can take over the arrangements.
Although many funeral companies now employ English-speaking staff in areas with large international communities such as Moraira, Jávea, Calpe and Benissa, this is not always guaranteed. If language may be an issue, consider asking a family member, friend, solicitor or interpreter to assist when reviewing contracts and paperwork before signing anything.
When you move into your chosen villa for sale in Moraira or elsewhere on the Costa Blanca North, it is worth keeping all important documents together in a secure place and ensuring your next of kin know where they are. These should include passports, NIE certificates, wills, insurance policies, funeral plans, property deeds and details of bank accounts.
The deceased's passport, NIE certificate or other identification documents may be requested during the administrative process. In many situations photocopies are accepted initially, but the originals may be required later. If the death is being investigated by the judicial authorities, the police or court may retain the original passport until their enquiries have been completed.
If you have made funeral arrangements before buying a home in Spain or after moving here, ensure that your family knows who to contact. Most funeral providers operate a 24-hour emergency service and can begin making arrangements immediately.
If you have appointed an English-speaking funeral director, they will normally liaise with hospitals, doctors, the Civil Registry, cemeteries or crematoriums and other local authorities on your family's behalf. They can also help organise translations, obtain official certificates and, where required, arrange international repatriation in accordance with Spanish and overseas regulations.
Two important documents are required following a death in Spain.
In most cases, your funeral director will register the death with the Civil Registry on your behalf. Registration is normally completed within 24 hours where possible, although the exact timing can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the death.
To complete the registration, the following information may be required:
At this upsetting time, your home in Spain may feel like an added responsibility, but there are many professionals who can help guide you through the process. You should be aware that several types of death certificate are available from the Civil Registry, depending on the purpose for which they are required.
The most commonly requested is an Extracto (Extract Certificate), which contains the essential details recorded in the Civil Registry. There is also a Certificado Literal (Literal Certificate), which reproduces the full entry exactly as it appears in the Civil Registry and is often required for certain legal or inheritance procedures.
For use abroad, many authorities will accept a multilingual certificate issued under the relevant international agreements, or an officially translated and legalised Spanish death certificate where required. Requirements vary depending on the country and organisation involved, so it is always advisable to check exactly what documentation is needed before requesting multiple copies.
Spanish banks, insurance companies, notaries and government departments will usually require a Spanish Civil Registry death certificate. Organisations outside Spain may request either an official translation or a multilingual version where available. It is sensible to obtain several original certified copies at the outset, as many organisations will ask to retain an original document during the administration process.
Those who have chosen to buy a villa on the Costa Blanca and spend either part or all of the year in Spain should ensure that their family knows which organisations need to be informed following a death.
The exact list will depend on the deceased's personal circumstances, but may include:
Keeping several certified copies of the death certificate will make notifying these organisations considerably easier.
Once the death has been registered and the necessary legal documentation has been completed, the Civil Registry issues the authorisation that allows burial or cremation to proceed.
If cremation has been chosen, authorisation will normally be required from the person legally entitled to make funeral arrangements or from the individual appointed under any pre-planned funeral instructions. If you have recorded your wishes in writing before your death, ensure that your family and funeral director know where these instructions are kept.
Funerals in Spain are usually held within 24 to 48 hours, although this may be extended if judicial procedures are involved or if additional time is needed for close family members to travel from overseas. Where necessary, the deceased can remain in the funeral home's mortuary facilities until the funeral takes place, although additional charges may apply.
Before the funeral, your chosen funeral director will discuss the arrangements with the family, including clothing, jewellery, religious or non-religious services, flowers, music, cremation or burial preferences, and any other personal wishes. Preparing a written checklist in advance can greatly reduce stress during what is naturally a very emotional time.
If you have reserved a house for sale in Moraira and are visiting the notary to complete your purchase, it is also an excellent opportunity to ensure your estate planning is in order. Many expatriates choose to make a Spanish will covering their Spanish assets, alongside any will they may already have in their home country, provided both are professionally drafted to avoid unintentionally revoking one another.
Spanish wills are signed before a Spanish notary. The original will is retained by the notary, while its existence is recorded with the Registro General de Actos de Última Voluntad (Central Registry of Last Wills), allowing authorised parties to establish which is the deceased's most recent valid Spanish will.
After a death, a Certificado de Actos de Última Voluntad (Certificate of Last Wills) can normally be requested once the death has been registered and the statutory waiting period has passed. This certificate identifies the notary holding the latest will, enabling the beneficiaries or their legal representatives to obtain an authorised copy and begin the inheritance process.
Inheritance is then dealt with before a Spanish notary, who prepares the appropriate inheritance deed (Escritura de Aceptación y Adjudicación de Herencia) for the beneficiaries or their authorised representatives to sign.
Inheritance Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones) is generally payable within six months of the date of death, although extensions may be available if requested within the permitted timescales. As tax rules, exemptions and regional allowances differ throughout Spain, professional legal and tax advice should always be obtained.
If the deceased owned assets in more than one country, each jurisdiction's inheritance laws and tax regulations may apply. Seeking advice from professionals familiar with cross-border estates can help ensure everything is administered correctly.
When you buy a villa on the Costa Blanca, it is also worth considering making an Advance Healthcare Directive (Documento de Instrucciones Previas), sometimes referred to as a living will.
Each Autonomous Community in Spain maintains its own official register, allowing healthcare professionals to consult a patient's recorded wishes if they are unable to communicate their decisions themselves. The document may include instructions regarding medical treatment, life-sustaining care, organ donation, burial or cremation preferences, and other personal wishes. Requirements vary slightly between regions, so it is advisable to seek local legal advice when preparing one.
While we know this is an upsetting subject, particularly when you are looking forward to starting a new life after buying a house in Moraira or elsewhere on the Costa Blanca North, Hamiltons Real Estate (previously Hamiltons of London) hopes this guide helps you understand the practical steps involved should the worst happen.
Procedures and legal requirements can change, and every family's circumstances are different. For that reason, we always recommend seeking advice from a qualified solicitor, notary, funeral director or tax adviser who specialises in Spanish inheritance and probate matters. By putting arrangements in place early, keeping your paperwork organised and ensuring your wishes are known, you can make an already difficult time much less stressful for those you leave behind.
In most cases, the death is registered by the funeral director with the Civil Registry shortly after the Medical Certificate of Death has been issued. Registration is normally completed within 24 hours where possible, although judicial investigations can delay the process.
While it is not legally compulsory, many foreign property owners choose to have a separate Spanish will covering their Spanish assets. This can simplify the inheritance process and reduce delays for beneficiaries.
Yes. Foreign nationals can be buried or cremated in Spain, or arrangements can be made for repatriation to their home country if preferred.
In the vast majority of cases, the funeral director completes the registration with the Civil Registry on behalf of the family as part of the services they provide.
Many expatriates choose funeral insurance or a pre-paid funeral plan as it can reduce financial pressure on their family and ensure their wishes are carried out as intended.
Updated in July 2026 by the Hamiltons Real Estate team.
