Other Information
Family members should report any death at the nearest Police Station and register the death at the nearest Malaysian Mission.
Documents required for registration of death are: -
· a copy of the police report made;
· original passport of the deceased;
· original Identification Card / Birth Certificate of the deceased;
· a copy of the Death Certificate; and
· a copy of the Cremation Certificate.
Repatriation of the remains of a deceased person to Malaysia is the responsibility of a funeral director acting under International Airline Regulations.
The Malaysian High Commission's role is limited to receiving a copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased issued by the Australian State or Territory authority which has been attested as an authentic document by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. The High Commission will then endorse and return the death certificate to the respective party.
In addition, the High Commission requires a copy of the deceased's passport.
Different rules apply for the repatriation of a body or the ashes of a deceased person.
Only citizens of Malaysia may be buried in Malaysia. Permission has to be sought from the Department of Home Affairs for the repatriation and burial of a former Malaysian citizen in Malaysia.
When a death occurs in Australia, a death certificate is produced by a doctor. The doctor also provides a letter stating that the deceased did not die from any infectious disease. The funeral director can then commence the process of repatriation.
In the event that a post mortem is to be held to determine the death of the person, there may be delay in releasing the body to the funeral director. Post mortems are conducted twice a week and the Coroner generally releases the body the day after the post mortem takes place and a coroner certificate is issued. The funeral director can then make preparations for the return of the remains.
The funeral director arranges the flight with the airline and liaises with a funeral director in Malaysia to receive the remains on arrival.
Cremation
In relation to the cremation of a deceased person, which may take place between within 3 to 7 days after the death, the ashes (together with the Death Certificate and Cremation Certificate certified by Department of Foreign Affairs in your state), can be taken back to Malaysia by a family member/relative after the appropriate procedures have been completed.