Embassy of the United States Hanoi, Vietnam

Revised July 13, 2010

Hanoi, Vietnam:
Disposition Of Remains Report

Normally, when a death occurs in a hotel or rest house, the owner of the establishment takes responsibility for arranging a meeting with representatives of:

• Immigration police
• Customs office
• Hanoi External Relations office
• Investigation police and
• U.S. Embassy or family

The investigation police then will examine the room and the body in the presence of representatives from these offices, and prepare a report. An inventory of the deceased’s personal effects will be made at that time. The body then will be transported to a morgue at a hospital (Viet Duc Hospital or Friendship Hospital). Conoff then may bring the deceased’s personal effects back to the Embassy for safe storage.

When the death occurs in a private home, usually the householder contacts a doctor or hospital to arrange for transportation to a morgue.

When an accident occurs, the body is usually transported to the morgue of a hospital. The same applies when the death occurs in a hospital.

The family of the deceased chooses one of the three companies in Hanoi that provide funeral services (autopsy, embalming, local burial, local cremation, or shipment of the remains to the United States). Costs are determined on a case by case basis.

1. INTERNATIONAL SOS

1 Dang Thai Mai street

Tel: (844) 3934-0555

Fax: (844) 3934-0556

Dr. Alain Gonthier

Dr. Soraya Berreghis Mazery

Branch Manager – Clinic: Sally Clarke

Hanoi Clinic: (844) 3934 0666

Email: han.support@internationalsos.com

 (This organization provides costs for service on a case-by-case basis.  It has no quotation for reference.  Call the organization for costs for a specific case.)

 

2. HADY SERVICE CO., LTD

11 Ngo Ba Trieu, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: (84.4) 3821-1405; Fax: (84.4) 3821-0935

Cell phone: 0912223969 (Ms. Van Anh)

Costs are on a case-by-case basis. 

The following is an estimate of costs and charges (as of January 2011): 

* Repatriation of ashes:

Total costs & charges: US$ 3,700.00

Including: Autopsy arrangement & procedures, cold preservation (within first 2 days, additional US$50.00/day will be charged from 3^th day), cremation permit, normal coffin, pick up to the crematoria, funeral ceremony, cremation, ashes urn, cremation certificate, quarantine inspection & permit, customs permit & clearance, transportation to the airport, airport fees & charges, handling charge.

Includes: Special tests, air freight charge and unquoted charges at destination country.

* Repatriation of coffin:

Total costs & charges: US$ 8,200.00

Including: Autopsy arrangement & procedures, remains disposition permit, pick up to the laboratory, laboratory rent, embalming & embalming materials, embalming certificate, international standard casket suitable for transportation, quarantine inspection & permit, customs permit & clearance, transportation to the airport, airport fees and charges, handling charge.

Includes:  Special tests, air-freight charge and unquoted charges at destination country.

 

3.TRANSPACIFIC

23 Ngo 61/2 Lac Trung Street, Hanoi

Tel: 04-3821-0910

Ms. Khoa, tel: 0903441269

The following is an estimate of costs and charges (as of May 2011): 

* Repatriation of ashes:  US$ 4,000 excluding autopsy ($1,200 – 1,500).  If Amcit dies in other provinces (Ha Long Bay-Quang Ninh, Sapa-Lao Cai…) $1,000 for pick-up will be added too.

* Repatriation of coffin:

Total costs & charges: US$ 8,500.00 excluding autopsy ($1200 - $1500), pick-up from other province ($1000) and refrigeration fees ($90 for the first day and $25 per each following day).

The Embassy’s Role

Depending on the situation, these two companies are responsible for all paperwork relating to local procedures. However, the embassy must assist by:

1. Providing an official letter addressed “to whom it may concern” (in Vietnamese or w/translation) with 6 or 7 copies for the appropriate authorities (depend on specific case they may be investigation police, transportation police, tour agency, justice department, external relations department, customs office, quarantine office, local police, ...) confirming that the chosen company is authorized by the next of kin (NOK) of the deceased to take care of his/her disposition, that whether or not the NOK wishes an autopsy or requests a waiver of an autopsy and the wishes of the NOK as to disposition of the body.
2. Providing a Mortuary Certificate a Local Sealed Casket Mortuary Certificate

The chosen company is responsible for providing post with the official Vietnamese Death Certificate. The Consular Report of Death of an American Citizen is prepared based on this death certificate. Procedure for this official Death Certificate may take 1 to 2 months.