Caring for SMA expat residents in their time of need
Welcome to 24 Horas de San Miguel de Allende, A.C. (the 24-Hour Association). Our Mexican nonprofit organization provides tremendous peace of mind to expats and their families.
The 24-Hour Association has been providing a prepaid plan of cremation and burial services to foreign residents since 1965. We are the only organization that can register the death and supply the Mexican death certificate without the involvement of the deceased’s family; local funeral homes cannot do this. Since many of us who live in San Miguel de Allende are away from our families, the 24-Hour Association provides a very important service during times of need.
Please review this website to learn more about Our services. The Contact Us tab has all the information you need to reach out for more information. The Apply for Services tab has everything you need to get started.
What We Do
Upon the death of a member and a phone call to our Executive Director, the 24-Hour Association initiates the process to carry out the wishes of the member outlined in their membership application.This process includes disposition of the body according to the member’s wishes, contacting family and friends, assistance in arranging a funeral or other services as requested, registering the death with the Mexican authorities, and providing a Mexican death certificate to the appropriate survivor.
It is important to note that, unlike funeral homes in the U.S., local funeral homes cannot provide the Mexican death certificate. Only the 24-Hour Association can register the death and supply the Mexican death certificate without the involvement of the deceased’s family.
Do not call an ambulance or the police when a death occurs unless foul play is suspected. Ambulance staff will call the police. If the police are involved, even if there is no foul play, the body and residence may not be released for weeks. A doctor needs to be contacted immediately. If death is imminent, have a doctor see the person prior to death.
How We Work
Once the 24-Hour Association is notified of the death of a member, we take the following steps: confirm the name and phone number of the attending doctor, contact the funeral home, arrange for the collection of the body, and give instructions of the service that had been requested by the deceased. Then the next of kin and/or executor, are contacted as well as other contacts listed on the 24 Hour Association’s member application form. The Executive Director registers the death with the Civil Registry and obtains the Mexican Death certificate, which is later delivered to the person designated on the application form. The Executive Director will be in communication with the next of kin, the executor, or the person in charge, and provide them with any additional information they need.
Finally, it is important to understand that a power of attorney becomes legally invalid upon death. A next of kin will be the only person legally valid to manage, or appoint someone to manage the sale of your home. The U.S. Embassy cannot legally sell a house.