Gift Joseph Okpakorese
It is a well-established fact that death itself is a phenomenon often laced with feelings of emotional trauma and pain especially when the vacuum created is seemingly irreplaceable. Death is always very difficult for family and friends. The experience overseas can be even more demanding, especially if the appropriate protocols are not comprehended.
Many people within and outside the shores of the country do not know and understand the modalities of making preparations for the demise of a loved one or family. As such, they find it very challenging whenever they are bereaved, and how to manage such a sad occurrence.
Below are certain tips and guidelines from the US Embassies at Lagos and Abuja, that could aid individuals or groups of people in ensuring proper knowledge, as well as help in facilitating and engaging the right source and necessary relief in situations such as these.
The Consular Sections of U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate Lagos can indeed be of useful assistance when a loved one passes on in Nigeria.
They are hopeful the following awareness helps the general public to understand how the process works in Nigeria and what they can do to help when people are faced with such difficulties.
Generally, when the Consular Section learns that a U.S. citizen has died in Nigeria and no family members are present, the American Citizens Services (ACS) in summary offers the following;
– Notifications of family members and the general public if need be
– Deposition of remains of deceased victims.
-Shipping processes in cases of none retrieval or lack of family presence.
-Proper documentation of all procedures carried out.
-Financial constraints on families or legal representatives.
The Detailed procedures of the aforementioned processes are as follows;
The ACS Units immediately attempts to notify the family. If family members are present and learn of the death before we do, they should contact us as soon as possible at the Emergency Contact posted in the right margin.
ACS will always be handy in rendering their services and assistance to families relations and friends in the event of a transition. We can act as a liaison in arranging the disposition of remains and provide names of funeral homes familiar with local and international shipping requirements. When there is no family member or close friend in Nigeria, ACS can maintain close contact with the funeral home selected by the family to ensure the family’s wishes are carried out and to ensure the proper documentation for transportation of the remains to the final destination. We will also issue the Consular Report of Death Abroad, which is an official document that can be used in the U.S. to settle all legal matters relating to the deceased’s estate and insurance. Please be advised that no U.S. government funds are available to cover any of the expenses involved. The family or legal representative must pay for the full costs of burial services including the transportation of the remains to the final resting place.
Furthermore, below are few additional Resources provided by the ACS.
information that explains certain functions carried out by us in the services we render to friends of a deceased U.S. citizen.
-Reporting the Death of a U.S. Citizen
-Consular Report of Death Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (CRODA)
-Decisions to be made by the Next of Kin
Insurance
-Nigerian Government Documents
-Funeral Homes in Abuja and Lagos
-Grief Counseling
-Lagos Disposition of Remains Report
-Request for Information Worksheet to Report a Death Abroad
-Return of Remains of Deceased U.S. Citizens
-Estates of Deceased U.S. Citizens
-Consular Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad
-Report of Deaths of U.S. Citizens Abroad
Emergency Contacts are;
Abuja Office (Middle Belt and Northern Part of Nigeria)
U.S. Embassy Abuja Office
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Telephone: (234)-9-461-4000
E-mail: AbujaACS@state.gov
Lagos Office (Southern Part of Nigeria)
U.S. Consulate General Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Crescent,
Victoria Island, Lagos
Telephone: (234)-1- 460-3400
E-mail: LagosACS@state.gov
