When you start a new life as an expat the last thing on your mind is death, but new figures relating to British people abroad show that more than 4,000 a year die overseas.
According to figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), overall there were 34% fewer deaths in 2013/2014 than in the previous financial year.
The highest number of deaths of British people are in Spain, but this is not surprising as it has the biggest British expat community and a large number of visitors.
Some 850 British people died in Spain in 2013/2014, the most up to date figures show, followed by 362 in Thailand and 346 in France, which also has a large British expat community.
Officials are urging people to make sure they have insurance cover as getting a body back to the UK can cost up to £17,000 depending on the country. Also, some countries do not allow foreigners to be buried and therefore cremation can be the only option.
But proportionally, compared to the number who travel, British nationals are most likely to be die in the Philippines, which is due to the high number of elderly expats, with 82 deaths in 2013/2014.
According to funeral directors Rowland Brothers International, repatriation can cost up to £17,000 if the death occurred in countries in South America or Asia.
‘We are frequently appointed by travel insurance and assistance companies to help families in this sad situation. If there is a tragedy away from home, we always hope that travel insurance is in place, but if there is none, or if cover is declined, we work with families privately to bring their loved one home,’ said a company spokesman.
According to figures from Saga, which provides insurance for the over-50s, the average repatriation claim is for £3,800 and for cremation the average claim is £1,700.
The FCO figures also show that Spain once again topped the list as the country with the most hospitalisation with 675 cases, but this is down 24% on the previous year. Greece had 320 hospitalisations, followed by Thailand at 267. In France, the number of hospital cases fell by 26% to 156, and is put down to a reduction in skiing accidents.
The FCO also pointed out that if a death happens abroad, the first thing to do is contact the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate and it is essential that the death is registered in the country where the person died.
The FCO gives advice about bringing a body and personal belongings back to the UK and provides support during these distressing kind of times.
According to figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), overall there were 34% fewer deaths in 2013/2014 than in the previous financial year.
The highest number of deaths of British people are in Spain, but this is not surprising as it has the biggest British expat community and a large number of visitors.
Some 850 British people died in Spain in 2013/2014, the most up to date figures show, followed by 362 in Thailand and 346 in France, which also has a large British expat community.
Officials are urging people to make sure they have insurance cover as getting a body back to the UK can cost up to £17,000 depending on the country. Also, some countries do not allow foreigners to be buried and therefore cremation can be the only option.
But proportionally, compared to the number who travel, British nationals are most likely to be die in the Philippines, which is due to the high number of elderly expats, with 82 deaths in 2013/2014.
According to funeral directors Rowland Brothers International, repatriation can cost up to £17,000 if the death occurred in countries in South America or Asia.
‘We are frequently appointed by travel insurance and assistance companies to help families in this sad situation. If there is a tragedy away from home, we always hope that travel insurance is in place, but if there is none, or if cover is declined, we work with families privately to bring their loved one home,’ said a company spokesman.
According to figures from Saga, which provides insurance for the over-50s, the average repatriation claim is for £3,800 and for cremation the average claim is £1,700.
The FCO figures also show that Spain once again topped the list as the country with the most hospitalisation with 675 cases, but this is down 24% on the previous year. Greece had 320 hospitalisations, followed by Thailand at 267. In France, the number of hospital cases fell by 26% to 156, and is put down to a reduction in skiing accidents.
The FCO also pointed out that if a death happens abroad, the first thing to do is contact the relevant Embassy, High Commission or Consulate and it is essential that the death is registered in the country where the person died.
The FCO gives advice about bringing a body and personal belongings back to the UK and provides support during these distressing kind of times.