The Cayman Islands provides high-quality end of life care through Jasmine, the territory’s sole dedicated hospice and palliative care organisation, whose services are provided entirely without charge. Deaths must be formally recorded with the Cayman Islands General Registry, and foreign nationals’ next of kin should contact their home country’s consulate without delay. The islands levy no inheritance tax, and since 2019 a recognised legal framework has existed for advance healthcare directives.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dedicated hospice provider | Jasmine (formerly Cayman HospiceCare) — all services free of charge (as of 2025) |
| Advance directive law | Health Care Decisions Act 2019 — legally recognised framework for living wills and healthcare proxies |
| Euthanasia / assisted dying | Illegal in Cayman Islands; advance directives cannot authorise it |
| Death registration authority | Cayman Islands General Registry — ciregistry.ky |
| Probate application fee | Approximately US$300 (as of 2025); legal fees are additional |
| Inheritance tax | None in Cayman Islands |
What end of life care options are available in Cayman Islands, and how does the system work?
End of life care across the Cayman Islands is delivered through a blend of hospital-based provision under the Health Services Authority (HSA) and dedicated community palliative services. The HSA oversees the principal hospital on Grand Cayman and Faith Hospital on Cayman Brac, where palliative support has been broadened in recent years. Patients may be cared for at home, within a clinical environment, or through outpatient programmes.
A collaborative arrangement between the HSA and Cayman HospiceCare — now known as Jasmine — has extended palliative care across the islands, including to the Sister Islands. Rather than adopting a purely clinical approach, the model places patient comfort, personal dignity, and whole-family support at its centre throughout the end of life journey.
In contrast to larger territories where end of life care might involve extensive NHS community teams, district nurses, and multiple specialist inpatient facilities, the Cayman Islands’ system is compact yet distinctly personal. The HSA handles acute and clinical needs, while Jasmine provides specialist palliative and hospice support out in the community.
What is palliative care in Cayman Islands, and who is eligible for it?
Jasmine’s services are available at any point during a serious illness — not solely in the final stages — and can run alongside ongoing treatment for conditions including cancer, dementia, neurological disorders, kidney failure, and heart disease. There is a widespread misconception that palliative care is reserved exclusively for those who are dying or who have cancer; in reality, it benefits a wide range of people living with long-term or life-limiting conditions.
As the Cayman Islands’ only dedicated provider of free palliative and hospice care, Jasmine supports individuals confronting serious illness regardless of their age or how far their condition has progressed. Eligibility is intentionally broad and is not restricted to Caymanian nationals or permanent residents — expats residing in the islands who have a qualifying serious or life-limiting diagnosis are equally able to access this care.
Jasmine’s specialist palliative nurses focus on pain relief and symptom control while also addressing the social, psychological, and emotional dimensions of illness for both patients and those close to them. Referrals are generally made through a GP or via the HSA, and families are encouraged to reach out early in the illness journey rather than waiting until the final weeks or days.
Are there hospices in Cayman Islands, and how do you access them?
Jasmine stands as Cayman’s only dedicated hospice and palliative care provider, and every one of its services is delivered free of charge. The organisation is wholly committed to improving the quality of life of people living with life-limiting illnesses. Originating from a grassroots community effort in the 1990s, it has evolved into a professionally staffed service drawing on specialist nurses and trained caregivers.
Support from Jasmine can be received in a variety of settings — at the patient’s own home, at one of Jasmine’s outpatient clinics, or within their purpose-built facility. This adaptability means that many patients are able to spend their final days at home surrounded by those they love, in keeping with Jasmine’s founding principles.
The range of services includes symptom management, emotional support, patient advocacy, and bereavement care, all delivered by a team of specialist nurses and caregivers working hand in hand with primary care physicians. To access hospice care, speak with your GP or treating doctor, who can refer you to Jasmine. You may also contact Jasmine directly at jasmine.ky.
The partnership between the HSA and Cayman HospiceCare has also enabled palliative care to reach the Sister Islands, with a team of HSA nurses trained in palliative techniques by Jasmine. Residents of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman can therefore access palliative support, though the main service hub remains on Grand Cayman.
Is palliative or hospice care covered by public health insurance in Cayman Islands, or does it need to be funded privately?
Jasmine is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing dignified medical, emotional, and compassionate care at absolutely no cost to individuals in the Cayman Islands who are facing life-limiting or end of life illness. This represents a meaningful advantage for expats, since access to specialist care through Jasmine is entirely independent of health insurance status or personal financial circumstances.
Jasmine sustains its operations through charitable donations, community fundraising activities, and grants — not through government health insurance premiums or patient charges. Unlike systems such as France’s Assurance Maladie or Australia’s Medicare, in which palliative care is reimbursed through a national scheme, Cayman’s hospice model is charity-funded and free at the point of use for every patient.
That said, hospital-based care through the HSA may incur fees depending on your insurance arrangements. Cayman Islands law requires expats to hold valid health insurance, and most standard private health policies available in the territory include provision for hospital and specialist treatment. It is worth checking the scope of your policy with regard to palliative interventions such as pain management, inpatient stays, and specialist consultations, as coverage terms differ between insurers.
Since Jasmine’s mission extends to long-term emotional and spiritual support for patients and their loved ones, bereavement follow-up is also provided without charge. For complete peace of mind, speak with both your insurer and your GP to clarify how hospital-based end of life treatments would be funded in your particular circumstances.
What legal documents should expats have in place before the end of life in Cayman Islands — such as a living will, advance directive, power of attorney, or healthcare proxy — and how do these work?
The Health Care Decisions Act was brought into force in the Cayman Islands in 2019. This legislation enables individuals to set out their preferences regarding medical care and treatment — including end of life care — in the event that they lose mental capacity, and to record those preferences in a legally binding document. Such a document may specify desired or unwanted medical treatments and procedures, including life support and resuscitation.
The Act allows a mentally competent person to create an advanced healthcare directive containing instructions about the nature and scope of medical care they wish to receive should they become incapacitated. A template form is incorporated into the Act itself. The directive may address questions such as whether the individual should be placed on long-term life support, or whether a do-not-resuscitate order should apply in defined circumstances. It also permits the appointment of one or more proxy decision-makers who can take other medical decisions on the individual’s behalf if they lose capacity.
To make a valid advance directive, a person must be aged 18 or over and mentally competent at the time of signing, and the form must be witnessed and countersigned by a doctor. This requirement for medical witnessing is more exacting than in some other jurisdictions, where a notary or lay witnesses are sufficient.
A power of attorney (POA) may be used to delegate authority to a trusted family member, personal adviser, or close acquaintance under the Powers of Attorney Act (1996 Revision). Such ordinary POAs may be general or specific in scope and are generally intended for a defined event or a limited period.
Importantly, the Powers of Attorney Act (1996 Revision) provides that an instrument created under it does not constitute an enduring power of attorney — once the grantor loses capacity, the instrument ceases to have effect. For this reason, an advance healthcare directive under the 2019 Act is the more appropriate vehicle for end of life medical decision-making. Expats are strongly advised to consult a Cayman Islands lawyer when preparing these documents.
Where a person holds Cayman Islands assets — such as real estate, shares in a Cayman company, or funds held in a Cayman bank — preparing a Cayman Islands will is likely to serve their best interests. A will is distinct from an advance directive but equally important as part of comprehensive end of life planning.
Are documents such as advance directives or powers of attorney made in another country legally recognised in Cayman Islands?
The Health Care Decisions Act does contain provisions for the recognition of healthcare directives executed outside the Cayman Islands. Given this, obtaining specialist legal advice before drawing up such directives is particularly important, especially for individuals who intend to spend extended periods living in the Cayman Islands.
Questions about whether analogous directives and proxy appointments from other jurisdictions will be recognised are among the legal complexities that have emerged in connection with the Health Care Decisions Act. Although the legislation contemplates foreign instruments, recognition is far from automatic — the foreign directive must be compatible with the principles underpinning the Cayman Act and must not authorise anything that would be unlawful under Cayman law.
In principle, the Cayman Islands Grand Court may recognise lasting powers of attorney valid under a foreign legal system, but this lies within the court’s discretion rather than being an absolute entitlement. Expats who hold lasting powers of attorney or comparable documents from their home country should have these reviewed by a local Cayman Islands attorney to establish whether they would be recognised and given effect here.
Where any uncertainty exists, the safest course of action is to execute a fresh advance directive and a new power of attorney directly under Cayman Islands law. This is a straightforward process and can be arranged through any Cayman Islands law firm with expertise in private client or estate planning matters.
What are the laws around euthanasia or assisted dying in Cayman Islands?
Under Cayman Islands law, an advance directive cannot authorise euthanasia or assisted suicide. This is a clear and unequivocal principle of the Health Care Decisions Act and admits no exceptions. Both euthanasia and assisted dying remain unlawful in the Cayman Islands.
The legislation explicitly states that living wills may not contain anything unlawful or anything that would violate professional medical standards, and it reinforces the prohibition on assisted suicide. This stance is consistent with the Cayman Islands’ wider social and legal culture, which is profoundly shaped by Christian values and traditions.
Healthcare professionals in the Cayman Islands are both legally and professionally obliged to decline any request — whether contained in an advance directive, communicated by a proxy, or made by a family member — that could be construed as seeking to bring about a patient’s death actively. The administration of pain relief and comfort measures that may, as an incidental consequence of symptom management, have some effect on the length of life is an altogether different matter and constitutes standard palliative care practice. Those seeking clarity on the boundaries of what is and is not permissible should consult a palliative care physician or a Cayman Islands lawyer.
What are the local customs, traditions, and religious practices around death and dying in Cayman Islands?
The Cayman Islands has a deeply rooted Christian heritage, and religious faith shapes profoundly how death, dying, and bereavement are understood and observed. The majority of the population identifies as Christian, with Protestant denominations — including the United Church, Baptist, and Church of God congregations — being particularly prominent, alongside substantial Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist communities.
Funerals in the Cayman Islands are typically solemn religious occasions, frequently held in a church, and carry considerable significance as community events. It is common for a service to draw a large gathering — neighbours, colleagues, and community members who may not be intimately connected to the family will often attend as a mark of respect and solidarity.
Viewings or wakes ahead of the funeral are customary, affording family and friends an opportunity to pay their respects to the deceased. These are generally held at the funeral home or at the family’s home. Floral tributes, obituary announcements in local newspapers, and death notices on local radio are the conventional means by which the wider community is informed of a bereavement.
Burial has traditionally been the most common practice, though cremation is gaining increasing acceptance, particularly among the expat community. Most cemeteries in the Cayman Islands are affiliated with churches or religious organisations. Expats of different faiths will find that the islands’ multicultural expatriate population means some accommodation exists for varied religious and cultural observances, though choices may be more restricted than in larger nations. Families with specific religious requirements — for instance, Islamic rites necessitating swift burial or Hindu cremation customs — should make contact with their religious community or consulate at the earliest opportunity to ensure that appropriate arrangements can be made in good time.
Jasmine — formerly Cayman HospiceCare — is committed to enhancing the quality of patients’ lives and to supporting those affected by death and loss, including through sustained follow-up after bereavement. This community-oriented ethos mirrors the broader Caymanian tradition of rallying around neighbours in times of difficulty.
What must you do when someone dies in Cayman Islands? Who do you notify, how quickly, and in what order?
The steps below set out the standard sequence to follow when a death takes place in the Cayman Islands. Acting promptly and in the correct order will help ensure that all legal obligations are fulfilled and that practical arrangements can proceed without unnecessary delay.
- Seek a medical declaration of death. When the person dies in hospital or under medical supervision, the attending doctor will certify the death. If the death occurs at home and the individual was being cared for by a GP or by Jasmine, contact the medical team immediately. They will attend to confirm death and issue the medical certificate of cause of death.
- Notify the police and/or coroner if the death is sudden or unexplained. Where a death is sudden or unexpected, the coroner must be notified. The coroner will inquire into the cause of death and decide whether a post-mortem examination is required. The body should not be moved before the relevant authorities have attended in such circumstances.
- Contact a funeral home. The family should reach out to a funeral home to begin making arrangements for the deceased. The funeral home will guide the family through preparing the body for burial or cremation and will assist with organising the funeral service. They also play an important practical role in liaising with the General Registry on the family’s behalf.
- Register the death with the Cayman Islands General Registry. When a death occurs in hospital, the institution is responsible for filing the death notification. If the death took place outside a hospital, the funeral home or family will need to liaise with the General Registry — ciregistry.ky — to ensure the death is formally recorded.
- Obtain the death certificate. To apply for a death certificate, the applicant must provide the Registry with the deceased’s full name and the date of death. Since the death register is a public record, anyone may apply. Death certificates can also be applied for online at vitals.ky.
- Notify the relevant consulate or embassy (if the deceased is a foreign national). Contact the deceased’s home country embassy or consulate as promptly as possible — ideally within 24 hours of the death. They will provide guidance on consular procedures, necessary documentation, and repatriation arrangements if these are required.
- Notify family members and relevant institutions. Inform next of kin, and advise the deceased’s employer, bank, insurer, and any applicable government agencies — such as immigration authorities if the deceased held a work permit or residency permit.
- Obtain a burial or cremation order and finalise funeral arrangements. For deaths occurring in the Cayman Islands, the funeral home will issue a burial order authorising interment. Nothing further is required from the General Registry for the burial itself. The funeral home will handle this step on the family’s behalf.
How is a death officially registered in Cayman Islands, and what documents are needed?
The General Registry Vital Events Department maintains records of births, deaths, and marriages in the Cayman Islands, with entries dating back to 1885. Registering a death is a legal requirement and must be completed before burial or cremation can proceed.
When a death occurs in a hospital or clinical setting, the institution bears responsibility for filing the formal notification with the Registry. For deaths taking place at home, registration is typically facilitated through the attending physician and the funeral home working together.
Once the death has been formally registered, a death certificate may be obtained. To apply for one, the applicant must supply the Registry with the deceased’s full name and date of death. Because the death register is a public record, any person may submit an application.
Official copies of Cayman Islands death certificates are issued by the General Registry Vital Events Department and may be ordered online through the Cayman Islands Government General Registry website. The Registry also receives walk-in applications. Submissions can be made online via vitals.ky or in person at the General Registry offices. Residents of the Sister Islands may obtain a death certificate from the General Registry Office on Cayman Brac.
Deaths that occurred outside the Cayman Islands cannot be registered within the territory; however, the deaths of Caymanians abroad may be incorporated into national death statistics and categorised accordingly.
What happens if a foreign national dies in Cayman Islands — what are the specific steps for notifying their home country’s embassy or consulate, and what role does the consulate play?
When a foreign national dies in the Cayman Islands, their home country’s embassy or consulate assumes a vital practical and administrative function. As the Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a degree of involvement where British nationals are concerned. For nationals of other countries, contact should be directed to their respective embassy or high commission, typically based in a regional capital such as Washington D.C., Ottawa, or Kingston, Jamaica, since many nations do not maintain a physical consular presence on the islands.
The consulate’s role generally encompasses: supporting the local death registration process; helping the family navigate repatriation procedures; issuing any required consular documentation; coordinating with local funeral homes; and advising the family on any legal steps that must be taken in the deceased’s home country. In certain cases, the consulate may also facilitate communication between local authorities and relatives living abroad.
Contact your home country’s nearest consular post as swiftly as possible — ideally within 24 hours of the death. You will typically need to provide: the deceased’s passport, the Cayman Islands death certificate, proof of your own identity and relationship to the deceased, and any known information about the deceased’s wishes regarding burial or repatriation. Death certificates covering deaths that occurred outside the deceased’s home country cannot be issued by the Cayman Registry — an application must be made in the jurisdiction where the death occurred. Your consulate will advise on how to use the Cayman certificate for official purposes in your home country.
How are funerals typically arranged in Cayman Islands, and what are the usual options for burial or cremation?
The Cayman Islands is home to several funeral homes offering a broad range of services, from straightforward cremations through to comprehensive funeral arrangements incorporating viewings and burials. It is important to select a funeral home that is suited to your needs and financial situation. A number of funeral homes also offer pre-planning services, which can help ease the burden on loved ones during what is inevitably a difficult period.
Burial remains the most traditional choice and is widely available through church-affiliated and public cemeteries across Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Cremation is also offered, and the proportion of families opting for this has grown in recent years, particularly within the expatriate community. If you intend to transport cremated remains to another country, be aware that specific documentation will be required. If cremation ashes are being brought into the Cayman Islands, the Department of Environment requests that a burial order be obtained from the General Registry; comparable requirements may apply in reverse when ashes are being transported abroad.
Funeral homes in the Cayman Islands are well-versed in handling international cases and are accustomed to working with overseas families and consulates. They can generally assist with preparing the body to international transportation standards, arranging embalming where this is necessary, and securing the export permits and documentation required. It is advisable to engage a funeral home at the earliest possible stage, as they serve as the key coordinating point across multiple agencies involved in the process.
What are the approximate costs of a funeral in Cayman Islands, and are there any state or insurance-based funds that can help cover them?
Funeral expenses in the Cayman Islands reflect the territory’s generally high cost of living. As a small island economy with a limited pool of service providers, prices tend to be elevated compared to many larger countries. While precise figures depend on the provider and the services selected, a basic cremation may begin at around CI$2,000–$3,000, while a full-service funeral with burial can cost CI$5,000 or more (as of 2025). Repatriation of remains entails further costs — see the section below for details. Always ask for a full written quotation from the funeral home before committing to any arrangements.
There is no state funeral grant or government bereavement payment in the Cayman Islands equivalent to the UK’s Funeral Expenses Payment or comparable social security support available in other countries. Expats should not assume that their home country’s social support mechanisms will extend to their time living in the Cayman Islands.
Certain private health and life insurance policies may include a death benefit or a contribution towards funeral costs. Review the terms of your life insurance policy and any group insurance provided through your employer. Many expats resident in the Cayman Islands hold comprehensive international private medical insurance (IPMI) or life assurance policies that include repatriation cover — this can substantially reduce costs if remains need to be returned to the home country. Pre-paid funeral plans are available from some local funeral homes and may be worth exploring as part of broader end of life financial planning.
What is the process for repatriating the remains of a foreign national from Cayman Islands to another country?
Repatriating human remains from the Cayman Islands is a process that involves both local Caymanian authorities and the requirements of the receiving country. It is almost always coordinated through a local funeral home working in conjunction with the deceased’s consulate. The process typically takes between one and two weeks, though the timeline can vary depending on the destination country’s requirements, whether embalming is necessary, and the availability of suitable flights.
The principal steps involved include: obtaining the Cayman Islands death certificate; preparing and embalming the body to meet international transportation standards; securing a certificate of embalming; obtaining an export permit from the relevant Cayman Islands authority; and gathering any documentation required by the receiving country, which may include a consular mortuary certificate. The funeral home will generally coordinate all of these steps on the family’s behalf.
The deceased’s home country consulate must be engaged early in this process to issue any necessary consular documentation and to advise on what the receiving country will require at the point of entry. Airlines operating out of Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman carry human remains as cargo, and the funeral home will manage the logistics of flight bookings and cargo paperwork. Repatriation costs can be considerable — families should contact their insurer at the earliest opportunity to confirm whether repatriation cover is included in their policy.
What happens to the estate of someone who dies in Cayman Islands — how does probate or estate administration work, and are there inheritance taxes?
The Cayman Islands levies no inheritance tax. Cayman Islands law permits complete freedom of disposition, meaning an individual may leave their assets to whomever they choose upon their death — though it is important to note that this principle is subject to the law of their domicile. This tax-neutral environment is among the reasons many international residents elect to hold assets in the Cayman Islands.
Once the relevant grant has been obtained, the executor or administrator has six months from the date of the grant to file an inventory of the estate. Within 12 months of the grant date, an affidavit must be filed by the executor or administrator confirming that administration of the Cayman estate has been completed.
The fee for applying for a Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or Resealing of a Foreign Grant is approximately US$300 (as of 2025), which covers the application filing fee and the costs associated with filing the supporting affidavit. Legal fees are additional and will vary according to the size and complexity of the estate.
Where a person dies domiciled in a foreign country, the Cayman Islands courts will apply the law of that foreign country when dealing with succession to movable assets — that is, assets other than real property. The validity of any bequest of movable assets in a Cayman Islands will made by a testator domiciled abroad is therefore determined by the law of that individual’s home country. This is an important consideration for expats: your home country’s succession laws may govern certain aspects of your Cayman estate.
An individual who wishes to sidestep the time and expense of probate entirely might consider, as an alternative, the establishment of lifetime trusts as a succession planning tool. This is a popular strategy in the Cayman Islands given the territory’s sophisticated and well-established trust law framework.
If an expat dies without a will in Cayman Islands, what happens to their assets under local intestacy laws?
If an expat dies intestate — without a valid will — in the Cayman Islands, the administration of their estate becomes considerably more complicated and time-consuming. Shouldering the responsibility of acting as the representative of an intestate estate can be an overwhelming undertaking, and it is essential to have a local representative who has a thorough understanding of the Cayman Islands legal system.
In intestacy cases, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands will grant Letters of Administration to a suitable person — ordinarily the closest surviving relative — who then assumes the role of administrator. The estate is distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules under Cayman Islands law, which broadly follow the pattern common to most common-law jurisdictions: the spouse and children are the primary beneficiaries, followed by other relatives in a prescribed order of priority.
Where a person dies domiciled outside the Cayman Islands, the courts will apply the law of the foreign country of domicile when determining the succession to movable assets situated in the Cayman Islands. This means that for expats who are not domiciled in Cayman, their home country’s intestacy rules may govern the distribution of certain assets, even where those assets are physically located on the islands.
In the absence of advance planning, establishing an individual’s final wishes and completing the administration of their estate can be both protracted and costly. Expats are strongly encouraged to prepare both a Cayman Islands will — to address local assets — and a will in their home country, and to take legal advice in both jurisdictions to ensure that the two documents complement rather than conflict with each other.
Frequently asked questions
Is foreign health insurance accepted by Jasmine and the HSA in Cayman Islands?
Jasmine’s palliative and hospice care services are provided entirely free of charge to all patients, irrespective of nationality or insurance status, so no insurance claim is needed for their services. For hospital-based treatment through the HSA, international private medical insurance (IPMI) policies are generally accepted, though you should verify this directly with the HSA and your insurer before receiving care. The Cayman Islands requires all residents to hold health insurance; speak to your employer or insurer to confirm that your policy covers treatment at Cayman Islands hospitals.
Are documents issued in the Cayman Islands in English valid in other countries?
When Cayman Islands death certificates and other vital records are presented in countries where English is not an official language, a certified translation will typically be required. The translation must meet the specific standards of the destination country, so a translation prepared locally in the Cayman Islands may not be accepted without additional legalisation. For use in countries that recognise apostilles, Cayman Islands documents can be authenticated through the standard apostille procedure. Always check the precise requirements with the destination country’s embassy or consulate.
How long does repatriation of remains from Cayman Islands typically take?
Repatriation of remains from the Cayman Islands generally takes between one and two weeks from the date of death, though this is subject to variation. Factors influencing the timeline include whether a coroner’s investigation is required, the destination country’s import requirements — some countries impose specific embalming standards or demand additional documentation — the availability of consular appointments, and prevailing flight schedules. Engaging promptly with a local funeral home and the deceased’s consulate from the outset is the most effective way to minimise delays.
What support is available to bereaved family members in Cayman Islands?
Jasmine includes bereavement support within its suite of free services, collaborating closely with primary care physicians to provide emotional care, counselling referrals, and follow-up contact for those left behind following a loss. Additional support is available through church communities, which form a cornerstone of Caymanian social life, as well as through private counselling services on Grand Cayman. Expats who find themselves struggling with grief and feeling cut off from their usual support networks are encouraged to reach out to Jasmine directly.
Does an advance directive made in another country work in Cayman Islands?
The Health Care Decisions Act does contain provisions for recognising healthcare directives executed in other jurisdictions. However, recognition is not guaranteed, and obtaining specialist legal advice before drawing up such directives is strongly recommended — particularly for individuals who plan to live in the Cayman Islands for extended periods. If there is any doubt about whether your existing document will be honoured, the safest course is to have a new advance directive prepared under the Cayman Islands Health Care Decisions Act 2019 by a qualified local lawyer.
Does the Cayman Islands have any form of assisted dying or euthanasia?
No. In the Cayman Islands, an advance directive cannot be used to authorise euthanasia or assisted suicide. The legislation is explicit in stating that living wills may not contain anything unlawful or anything contrary to professional medical standards, and the prohibition on assisted suicide is firmly restated. There is no legal route to assisted dying in the Cayman Islands, and this position is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future given the territory’s deeply held religious and cultural values.
Can a foreign national make a will in Cayman Islands to cover their local assets?
Yes. Cayman Islands legislation makes it relatively accessible for foreign individuals to draw up a will in respect of their Cayman Islands assets, and the territory is an attractive location for foreign investors wishing to establish structures here. If a person holds Cayman Islands assets — whether real estate, shares in a Cayman company, or funds in a Cayman bank account — preparing a Cayman Islands will is likely to serve their interests well. A local law firm can assist with the drafting process and witnessing requirements.
Who registers a death if it occurs at home rather than in hospital?
If a death takes place at home in the Cayman Islands, the attending physician or an on-call doctor must be contacted immediately to confirm death and complete the medical certificate of cause of death. If the death was unforeseen or the person was not under medical supervision, the police and coroner must also be notified. For home deaths, the family should work through a funeral home, who have experience in coordinating registration with the General Registry. Applications for the death certificate can be submitted online at vitals.ky or in person at the General Registry offices.