Death or US citizen help?

[Par Delger]

We just lost to cancer a good friend. He died in regional hospital yesterday. US citizen. We notified his next of kin, the embassy ACS unit. What can we expect from the procdures? Costs, time in processes and what other forms or actions do we need to do. Has anyone been through this painful experience?

[keep it simple Panama]

Buenos dias, 

This is IRMA from Keep it Simple Panama, 

Contac me at this email [e-mail] 

I can help. 

Saludos 

[Jim McCormack]

I can recommend her and she speaks good english and is a Rodney Direct Benefit...So it you are a Rodny Direct member you have already paid for some of her service.

Keep It Simple Panama charges the general public $25 per hour. For Rodny Direct members it is $15 an hour and the first hour is free. Rodny Direct members have nothing to lose by making an appointment and finding out how KISPa can help them save money.

 

[Good Morning Boquete]

Par,

I'm sorry for your loss.

I went through this in January of this year.  After contacting the US Embassy you'll receive the following email message with the options for burial in Panama or return of your loved one to the US.  There are also private companies offering burial at sea options in Panama for under $1,000.  One in Chiriqui is:

Lawrence Shane, [e-mail], 6621-1897

You'll also have to complete the two attached forms, the affidavit for next of kin and the report of a death of an American citizen abroad.

If your loved one was a US Veteran, the VA may be able to provide some services.  Contact the following representative:

Robby Robinson
Health Alliance (DoctorCare / WeCare Pharmacy)
Veteran Service Officer
VONAGE (Stateside Line) 1-512-772-1401
Panama Cell      011-507-6-782-1193

Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

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Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,

On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Panama, please allow me to  extend our condolences on the death of XXXXXXXXX.   It is unfortunate that at this  difficult time we must call your attention to the need for making arrangements.  Some of this  information may not apply in your situation but I wanted to  provide you with the complete letter so that you are aware  of all of the options and procedures.  Panama law  requires disposition of remains by cremation or burial  within one month after death unless the remains are to be  shipped outside the country.

In order to make  arrangements, the local authorities require that the next of kin submit evidence of their relationship with the deceased  to retrieve the remains.  You will need to submit proof  of  the next of kin's relationship to XXXXXXXXXXX (birth certificate, photo ID, etc.) to the appropriate  Panamanian authorities and the local funeral home.  If your representative is not a direct relative of XXXXXXXXX, you will also need to execute a notarized Power of Attorney with Apostille stamp, giving that person authority to represent you before the Panamanian authorities.  This may be a personal friend or individual known to you, a Panamanian attorney, or the funeral home may provide this service. 

In order for us to continue providing you with our services , please complete the attached Affidavit of Surviving Next of Kin.  This document is your declaration to us that you and the next of kin are acting as the survivors in the case of XXXXXXXXXXX.  When completed, please scan an email to us at [e-mail].  Please mail the original to the U.S. Embassy Panama, Consular Section/ACS, 9100 Panama City Pl, Washington, D.C. 20521-9100.  Please also e-mail us a copy of your photo ID and a copy of your birth certificate. 

The next step is to select a funeral home from the list the embassy maintains or one that you are aware of by your own personal knowledge or from other friends you may have in Panama.  You will need to call them and make the arrangements of your choice.  Generally, they will accept payment for the services by credit card over the phone.  If that will not work for you, you can work with the U.S. Embassy in Panama to effect payment for the services as explained below.  A list of funeral homes that have provided services in the past to the families of U.S. Citizens can be found at  http://panama.usembassy.gov/death_of_a_us_citizen.html.  In case you are unable to access the link, I will paste information about the local Funeral Homes at the bottom of this message.

The total cost for preparation and air shipment to the United States is approximately $4,500 from Panama City.  This includes a metal casket meeting international regulations.  The cost for preparation and burial in Panama City, Panama is approximately $1,500.The cost for cremation and disposition of ashes in Panama City, Panama is approximately $800.  The cost for preparation, cremation and air shipment of ashes to the U.S. is approximately $2,500.  This includes a plastic urn.

Please note that these costs are only estimates.  Please, also consider that preparation and air shipment are carried out in accordance with the laws of and the facilities available in Panama.  In some cases, these services fall short of those expected in the United States.  We recommend that you ask your hometown funeral director to determine the advisability of viewing the remains.

In order to prepare the Consular Report of Death Abroad (which you can use to settle any legal matters pertaining to XXXXXXXXX in the U.S.) we will first need a scanned copy or photo of the death certificate from the hospital sent via email to this email address.  In order to help us prepare this report, please complete the attached form and send it back to us via email as well.  If there are items for which you don’t have the information, you can leave those blank.  We would also need a copy of your or your next of kin's  birth certificate.  With all of this, we will prepare 20  copies of the report of death and send the documents to the physical address you indicate.  There is no cost for this service.

 

As I mentioned over the phone, I will reach out to my Department of Defense colleagues to find out if XXXXXXXXXX remains will be able to be repatriated to the U.S. with colors.  We will also work to find out the details surrounding XXXXXXXXXXXX death.

Again, on behalf of the United States Government we extend our sincere condolences to you and your family in your time of bereavement.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at this e-mail address or by telephone at 011-507-317-5881.

 Sincerely,

Stephanie Espinal

Unit Chief/Jefe de Unidad

American Citizens Services/Federal Benefits 

Unidad de Asistencia a Ciudadanos Estadounidenses/Beneficios Federales

Consular Section / Sección Consular                   

U.S. Embassy Panama / Embajada de los Estados Unidos de América en Panamá

e-mail: [e-mail]  Tel: [phone]

http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http://redirect.state.sbu/?url=http:...    Fax: [phone]        

 

 

Funeral Homes in Panama

 Funeraria Alvarado
 Contact:  Eduardo Alvarado
 Across the street from Hospital Santo Tomas or in Jardín de  Paz Cemetery  Panama City, Panama  Tel. [phone]
 Cellphone: 011 (507) 6672-1074

 Funeraria Da Silva, S.A. (Olivierre)
 8th Street, Amador Guerrero Ave, #7114,  Colon Province, Republic of Panama  Tel. [phone]
 Cellphone: 011 (507) 6613-9054

 Funerales Panameños La Auxiliadora
 Calle 43, Bella Vista
 Panama City, Panama
 Tel. [phone]

 

 

 

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[Ning Moderator]

Thanks so much, Good Morning Boquete,  You have  provided invaluable information to our community. I will posts this in the appropriate Tab for the future should anyone need this service of information in the future.