*Next-of-kin is established in the following order:

1. legal spouse
2. if no spouse, then all children
3. if no children, then all parents
4. if no parents, then all siblings
5. if no siblings, then all grandparents.

Estimated Costs of Mortuary Services in the Kampala Area

The cost for preparation and local burial in Uganda – approximately $3,500
The cost for cremation and disposition of ashes locally – approximately $2,800 to $ 3,600
Preparation and air shipment of remains; Kampala to U.S. – approximately $9,000

These estimated costs may vary depending on the specific circumstances and location of the deceased.

Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad (CRODA)

The Embassy prepares a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA) for each U.S. citizen who dies in Uganda and whose death is reported to the Embassy.  The CRODA is based on the Ugandan death certificate and is valid for use in the United States.  The next-of-kin will find this report useful in dealing with insurance companies, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, or in any situation in which he/she will need proof of death.

The Embassy completes the report upon submission of the following:

1. original or certified copy of the duly registered Death Certificate from the local civil registry (NIRA)
2. original copy of the hospital Cause of Death report
3. deceased’s original U.S. passport
4. completed DS-2060 form
5. copy of the next-of-kind’s valid passport or other valid ID

Note:  The Embassy may require other documents, depending on individual circumstances.  Please include an email address we can use to reach you.  Although not required, it helps us contact you more easily in case we have further questions, and may speed up the issuance process.

Please submit these documents to the U.S. Embassy in person.  To schedule an appointment, please e-mail KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov. If the documents will be submitted by a family or legal representative in lieu of the next-of-kin, please provide an authorization letter from the next-of-kin.

We will send you certified copies of the CRODA after it is completed.  For further inquiries, please contact the U.S. Embassy Kampala at KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov.

If you need additional copies of a CRODA after it has already been issued by the Embassy, please contact the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Vital Records Section.

Repatriation of Remains

CDC requirements for importing human remains depend upon if the body has been embalmed, cremated, or if the person died from a quarantinable communicable disease.

At this time, COVID-19 is a quarantinable communicable disease in the United States and the remains must meet the standards for importation found in 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 71.55 and may be cleared, released, and authorized for entry into the United States only under the following conditions:

• The remains are cremated; OR
• The remains are properly embalmed and placed in a hermetically sealed casket; OR
• The remains are accompanied by a permit issued by the CDC Director. The CDC permit (if applicable) must accompany the human remains at all times during shipment.

• • Permits for the importation of the remains of a person known or suspected to have died from a quarantinable communicable disease may be obtained through the CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine by calling the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100 or emailing dgmqpolicyoffice@cdc.gov.

Please see CDC’s guidance for additional information.

The Embassy will also issue a consular mortuary certificate and other documents needed if the remains are to be shipped to the United States.

To assist the Embassy in preparing the mortuary certificate, the next-of-kin or representative from the funeral home should submit original or certified copies of the following documents:

• Two certified copies of the local death certificate
• Proof of citizenship, such as U.S. passport or certificate of naturalization
• Cause of Death Certificate
• Post Mortem Report
• Free From Infection Report – obtained from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
• Undertaker’s Certificate
• Cremation Certificate or Embalming Record and Certificate
• Confirmed airline booking
• Airway bill number
• Consignee information
• Embalmer’s certificate (for remains)
• Certificate of cremation (for ashes)
• Passport or other valid IDs of the signatory to the mortuary certificate (affidavit)
• Exhumation of remains certificate/permit (for those who died in the Uganda more than 5 years ago)
• Quarantine permit