What We Do
Upon the death of a member and a phone call to the Executive Secretary, 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. |  |
| | | How We Work
Once the 24-Hour Association is notified of the death of a member, we take the following steps: Confirm the name of the attending doctor. Contact the funeral home. Contact the next of kin and/or executor listed on your application. Register the death with the Civil Registry and securing a legal Mexican Death certificate. Provide a Counsular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA) for U.S. citizens only. For all U.S. citizens, we report the death to the U.S. Consular Agent in San Miguel de Allende, who forwards the report to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. The U.S. Embassy then supplies an electronic CRODA, which is an English-language document that serves as legal proof of death for use in the U.S. This form makes it easier to settle legal matters in the U.S. than a Mexican Death Certificate.
Finally, it is important to understand that power of attorney becomes legally invalid upon death. Your 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. |
|
