Buying A House In The Costa Blanca | Dealing A Death In Spain

It's a topic that few wish to discuss, but that will ultimately be necessary, and the burden can be eased if you are prepared in advance for the inevitable procedures that come when losing a loved one, no matter where you are in the world. There's a lot to do when somebody dies, and things are dealt with differently in Spain. When you buy your villa in Moraira, it is a good idea to find out more and make arrangements simultaneously to be as prepared as possible.

Funeral Agent

You have now found a villa to buy in Spain, but you are concerned that your and your family's future is secure. Understanding the procedure can help reduce stress and the decisions that must be made in advance. If you are living in Spain, it is sensible to find out which local funeral agents speak both English and Spanish and keep a note of their details, along with any written instructions and wishes you may have for your funeral. This can be given to your family or a funeral company. Make sure you know the costs involved with a bereavement, a funeral, and, if required, repatriation. It is worth taking out funeral insurance or a pre-paid funeral plan to avoid any additional shock and distress to those who are left behind. A local company that offers excellent service and whom you may wish to contact is Golden Leaves; they offer support and funeral arrangements at https://www.goldenleavesinternational.com/.

At Home

When you buy a villa in the Costa Blanca, you should know that the first thing to do if someone dies at home is to call the authorities. 112 multi-lingual emergency service and the local police on 092. They will call the coroner, who will come to arrange for the body to be removed. The body mustn't be touched or moved by anyone else. If the deceased has been receiving medical care, then you should also call their doctor to issue a medical death certificate. Contact the local funeral parlor, undertakers, or the funeral agent you have chosen relating to any funeral plan you already have to ensure that the body is taken to the correct location and wishes are carried out as intended.

In Hospital

If somebody living in your home in Spain dies in the hospital, the hospital will undertake the initial administrative procedures. If the coroner or doctor don't know what caused the death, then an autopsy may be required. In Spain, the hospital, police, or doctor will automatically contact the nearest funeral provider, so you must tell them if one has already been arranged or chosen. Many employees of Spanish funeral companies do not speak English, so you may need an interpreter to assist you with the paperwork at this time. If you have a pre-paid plan, this may already be included for you. You will be asked to sign a contract containing provisions for the services, so you must understand exactly what you agree to.

What to do next

When you move into your chosen villa for sale in Moraira, ensure you keep all paperwork readily available and that your next of kin also knows where all these papers are kept. The deceased's identification documents may be requested if possible. Photocopies may be offered and the originals retained, other than if the case is judicial, in which case the police may insist on taking the original passport to return when the case is completed.

Pre-planned arrangements.

If you pre-plan everything when buying a home in Spain, make sure those dealing with the death are fully aware and contact the company concerned, who will have a 24-hour number. Suppose you have chosen to appoint an English-speaking funeral agent. In that case, they will act as an intermediary and liaise with the local authorities to arrange everything and sort out all the necessary paperwork, including repatriation, if required. 

Death Certification

There are two categories of death certificates:

1. Certificado Médico de Defunción: this identifies the person and the cause of death.
2. Certificado de Defunción del Registro Civil is the Civil Registry certificate because all deaths must be registered. In Spain, this can be done in person at the registry office, by post, or via the Internet in some locations. This must usually be done within 24 hours; in most cases, your funeral director will do this for you. The death cannot be registered without presenting the medical certificate. When registering the death, you should ensure you have information about yourself and the deceased. In addition to the medical death certificate, you will need the name, surname, passport, or NIE number of the person requesting the certificate and details of the next-of-kin if this is not you. You will also need the following information about the deceased:

Name and surname, name of parents, marital status, nationality, date of birth and location, passport number and/or NIE, last known address, date, time and location of death, place of burial, and the type of certificate required. You should also provide your contact number.

At this upsetting time, your home in Spain may feel like a burden, but plenty of people will help you through this difficult period. You should be aware that several types of Civil Registry death certificates exist in Spain. First is the Extracto, which contains the basic information necessary for the standard Spanish death certificate, and an international death certificate can be written in several languages, including Spanish and English. Then, there is the literary certificate, which contains information relevant to the death. The standard Spanish certificate will be required by Spanish bank accounts, insurance policies, and most entities in Spain; the international certificate is recommended for all UK entities who need to be informed. Certificates are usually available within a few days; ask for as many original copies as you think you need; these are generally free, but international certificates may carry a charge for translation.

Who to advise

Those who have chosen to buy a villa in the Costa Blanca and live in Spain either permanently or occasionally should all ensure they know what to do in these situations. Deaths of British citizens should be advised to the following authorities with a copy of the death certificate:. Registro Civil in Madrid, HM Revenue and Customs if a UK will exist or if the deceased still has property/assets in the UK of paid UK tax, and the Department of Work and Pensions if they received a British State pension. INSS (Instituto de Seguridad Social) if the deceased worked in Spain and/or had a Spanish pension, banks, insurance, and private pension companies. Keep a few spares if needed, and retain one for your records.

Burial license

Once you have found a house to buy in Moraira, any death that occurs to any member of the household is registered in normal circumstances, and a burial license will be issued so that the burial or cremation can take place, Cremation must be authorized by a member of the deceased's family or by you in writing appointing a named person to give the authorization. Leave copies with relevant people to ensure your wishes are carried out. Funerals in Spain are usually held within 24-48 hours, but if they need to be delayed to allow for family and friends to arrive, the body will be held in the morgue at additional cost. You will need to sign the documents relating to the service you are contracting and provide the identity documents and details of parents, etc. You will also need to provide specific details of requirements regarding clothing, if jewelry needs to be removed, and advise if there are any pins, plates, etc, in the body. It's worth ensuring that you have a checklist agreed in advance to avoid added stress at this time.

Last Will and Testament

You have reserved a house for sale in Moraira and will be at the notary for completion; this is an excellent time to make an appointment to ensure that your estate is in order should anything happen. Wills are executed before the notary public, and a copy is automatically lodged with the Civil Registry; The A Last Will and Testament Certificate is applied for when 15 working days have passed from the date of death. This certificate should be taken to the notary, who will issue the inheritance deed that all heirs or their representatives must sign simultaneously to accept their inheritance. Any death duties must be paid within six months, or surcharges will be applied. If assets are held in any other country, they will be subject to the laws of that country, and you should ensure that you are aware of the procedures that must be followed in such cases.

Final wishes

When you buy a villa in the Costa Blanca, check what is usual regarding making a living will. In most areas of Spain, it is also possible to register a living will with the local health authorities so that doctors can consult the registry to ascertain the person's wishes regarding end-of-life care if they cannot express themselves. The document may also contain instructions regarding burial, cremation, and organ donation.

Conclusion

While we know this is an upsetting subject, particularly when you are looking forward to starting a new life and buying a house in Moraira, Hamiltons of London, we hope this information will help you ensure that a distressing time in life is less traumatic. There is a lot more information available, and it would always be a good idea to speak with a professional to ensure that you have covered all bases. With everything arranged in advance, you can continue enjoying your life in Spain to the fullest.