Indonesia – End of Life Issues

What palliative and hospice care is available in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s palliative care journey began in 1990 when pilot services were introduced within existing healthcare institutions. A national palliative care guideline has since been published, yet progress overall has been slow, hampered by widespread misconceptions about what palliative care involves, the formidable geographic complexity of the archipelago, and severely restricted access to opioid-based pain relief. In 2020, the Global Atlas of Palliative Care placed Indonesia in level 3a — described as “isolated provision with only localised hospice-palliative care development.”

Access to end of life services is profoundly unequal across the country. Provision is concentrated in a small number of large urban centres, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, and Makassar. Vast swathes of the country — particularly rural and remote regions — constitute what could reasonably be called palliative care deserts. For expatriates based outside these cities, specialist support during the final stages of life may be extremely hard to obtain.

Indonesia’s national social security system, established in 2004, provides a social health insurance framework, but palliative care has not been defined as a distinct clinical speciality within it and consequently attracts no dedicated insurance tariff. This funding gap creates structural conditions that work against the development of formal end of life services. The contrast with systems such as the UK’s NHS — where palliative and hospice care is integrated into nationally funded provision and accessible at community level — or Australia’s Medicare-supported hospice network is pronounced. Indonesia has no equivalent dedicated national funding stream for end of life care.

Where palliative services do exist, they are unevenly distributed, heavily dependent on out-of-pocket payments or charitable funding, and reflect stark urban–rural inequalities. Private hospitals in Jakarta and Bali tend to have the most developed palliative care capabilities, with several international private hospitals maintaining dedicated teams. Expatriates holding comprehensive international private health insurance are typically best placed to access these services.

In Jakarta, the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (ICF) has established a team of doctors, nurses, and volunteers to support vulnerable patients in their homes. Over twelve years since its founding, it has cared for 621 patients, 79% of whom died peacefully at home after a median care period of one to two months. This community-based, family-centred model reflects the strong cultural emphasis Indonesians place on care within the home.

Factors that support palliative care development in Indonesia include deeply ingrained family solidarity, government policy backing, active volunteering communities, and support from regional organisations. Identified obstacles include limited understanding of palliative care among health professionals, the archipelago’s challenging geography, and restricted availability of opioid medications.

Expatriates seeking up-to-date information on local palliative services should contact the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kementerian Kesehatan) or enquire directly with major hospitals in their city. It is strongly advisable to clarify what your health insurance covers for palliative or home-based end of life care well before the need arises.

How does end of life planning work in Indonesia — wills, advance directives, and power of attorney?

Preparing a will is critical for both foreigners and Indonesian nationals who wish to ensure their assets pass according to their intentions. A properly drafted will clarifies how property and possessions are to be distributed, reduces the potential for disputes among heirs, and enables the inheritance process to proceed without unnecessary delay. This is particularly important in Indonesia, where the legal landscape is multi-layered and the consequences of dying without a valid local instrument can be severe.

A great many foreign families living in Indonesia operate under the misconception that a will prepared in their home country will automatically safeguard their interests locally. In reality, this is a financially dangerous assumption that can leave surviving spouses facing frozen bank accounts and prolonged legal entanglements. While a foreign will can in principle be recognised in Indonesia, it must first be authenticated through the Indonesian court system — a procedure that may take many months and generate substantial legal expense.

Indonesian banks and land offices are frequently reluctant to apply foreign laws with which they are unfamiliar. They typically demand an Affidavit of Foreign Law confirming the relevant provisions of the deceased’s home jurisdiction, and this must then be submitted to and approved by an Indonesian court. Having a will drafted and notarised locally in Indonesia removes much of this complexity and is the strongly recommended course of action for anyone intending to reside in Indonesia for the long term.

In Indonesia, wills are ordinarily prepared before a notary (notaris) — a state-appointed legal officer. Indonesian notaries are regulated by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kementerian Hukum dan HAM), which oversees the entire notarial system. A formally notarised will (akta wasiat) carries the greatest legal weight within the Indonesian framework. Choosing a bilingual notary with experience in cross-border estate matters is advisable.

Advance directives — sometimes referred to as living wills — setting out a person’s preferences for medical treatment should they lose decision-making capacity are not formally codified in Indonesian statute in the manner that they are in countries such as Germany, Canada, or the Netherlands. The legal ambiguity surrounding advance directives in Indonesia creates uncertainty for both families and treating clinicians. Indonesia’s Penal Code explicitly criminalises active euthanasia but says nothing definitive about the withdrawal of futile treatment, leaving healthcare providers in a vulnerable position. In the current environment, clearly communicating your wishes to your next of kin and your treating physician is the most practical approach available.

Power of attorney (surat kuasa) is a well-recognised legal instrument in Indonesia. A power of attorney granted by a foreign national must generally be notarised and, if executed outside Indonesia, apostilled or legalised before Indonesian institutions will accept it. Having such a document prepared before a local notary within Indonesia is the most straightforward route. It is important to note that powers of attorney are extinguished upon the death of the person who granted them and cannot therefore serve as a substitute for a will. Seek advice from a qualified Indonesian notary or lawyer for guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

What are the laws around euthanasia and assisted dying in Indonesia?

Euthanasia is prohibited in Indonesia under Article 344 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. This prohibition applies to everyone within Indonesia’s jurisdiction irrespective of nationality. There is no lawful avenue for assisted dying or physician-assisted suicide anywhere in Indonesia, and no exemption exists for foreign nationals — including those who originate from countries where such practices are legally regulated.

The criminal law framework governing euthanasia draws on Article 344 of the existing Criminal Code and Article 461 of the new Criminal Code for active euthanasia, while passive euthanasia is addressed under Article 304 of the Criminal Code and Article 428, paragraph (1), of the new Criminal Code. This legal position binds medical professionals equally — doctors and healthcare workers face criminal liability if they take active steps to end a patient’s life.

Although active euthanasia is unequivocally illegal, passive euthanasia occupies a murky legal and ethical space and is understood to occur in practice, reflecting the absence of a clear formal framework. By comparison, the regulated approach adopted in the Netherlands offers a useful reference point for how patient autonomy might be balanced against broader societal values. Nonetheless, there is no safe or formalised legal mechanism in Indonesia for the structured withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment comparable to jurisdictions with explicit legislation on the matter.

The prohibition of euthanasia in Indonesia is rooted in multiple dimensions: religious doctrine, positive law, judicial precedent, health law, and human rights considerations. As a majority-Muslim nation, Indonesia’s public policy is profoundly shaped by religious values. Islamic, Christian, Hindu, and other religious communities across the country broadly stand opposed to euthanasia in any form.

Expatriates relocating to Indonesia from jurisdictions where assisted dying is legally permitted — such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, or certain Australian states — should be clearly aware that those legal frameworks have no applicability within Indonesia. Any documentation prepared or arrangements made in a country where assisted dying is lawful will carry no legal effect on Indonesian soil. The current legal position can be confirmed with reference to the Indonesian Penal Code (Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana) and the Ministry of Health.

What happens to a foreign national’s body when they die in Indonesia?

When a foreign national passes away in Indonesia, the family or sponsoring employer must work through a multi-stage official procedure before the remains can be repatriated or disposed of locally. This process involves several government agencies, the deceased’s home country embassy, and in many cases the police. Given Indonesia’s tropical climate, acting promptly is of considerable practical importance.

The expatriate’s employer or family must obtain formal written statements from the treating hospital confirming the death and its cause — known respectively as the Surat Keterangan Pemeriksaan Kematian and the Surat Keterangan Karena Penyakit Menular/Tidak. These documents establish both the cause of death and whether the deceased was carrying a communicable disease, and they are prerequisites for all subsequent administrative steps.

Where repatriation of the body is intended (rather than cremated ashes), embalming is generally required by airlines and is a practical necessity given the climate. The body must be prepared by a licensed funeral establishment, placed in a sealed zinc-lined coffin, and accompanied by the complete set of official documentation. Costs for this process vary widely depending on the destination country and the funeral provider — always confirm current figures directly with a licensed funeral director in Indonesia, as charges change over time.

The family or responsible party can apply to the local police for a permit to transport the remains to another part of Indonesia or overseas — the Surat Keterangan Membawa Jenazah Keluar Daerah/Negeri. This application must be submitted to the Resort Police Department in the relevant area before any attempt is made to move the body or ashes to the home country.

Prior to cremation, the crematorium will require: a hospital death certificate and cause of death documentation; a copy of the deceased’s passport and immigration documents (E-ITAS or equivalent); and an original letter from the home country embassy confirming that it does not object to the cremation as requested by the family. Cremation facilities are readily available in cities with sizeable non-Muslim populations, particularly Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya.

Local burial is another option, though availability of plots in public cemeteries for non-Muslims may be limited and will depend on the local area and the deceased’s religious affiliation. Some international churches and religious congregations maintain their own burial grounds. The entire repatriation process — from the time of death to the departure of the remains — takes at minimum several days once all documents are in order, though complications can extend this considerably. Involving the deceased’s home country embassy at the earliest possible stage is essential.

What are the local customs and cultural practices around death in Indonesia?

Indonesia is among the most ethnically and religiously diverse nations on earth, encompassing more than 17,000 islands and over 200 distinct ethnic communities. Death rituals and mourning practices differ enormously across religious and regional lines. Even a basic familiarity with local customs is valuable for expatriates — both for their own future planning and for engaging with Indonesian colleagues, neighbours, and friends who are going through bereavement.

For the Muslim majority, Islamic tradition calls for burial to take place as swiftly as possible — ideally within 24 hours of death. The body is ritually washed and wound in a white shroud (kafan) according to prescribed practice, prayers are performed, and burial follows without cremation, which Islam forbids. Mourning is observed, but extravagant expressions of grief are discouraged by Islamic teaching. Families typically welcome condolence visitors to their home for several days following the death.

In Bali, where Hinduism is the predominant faith, death practices are entirely distinct. Cremation, known as Ngaben, occupies a central and sacred role, understood to liberate the soul for reincarnation. Ngaben ceremonies can be grand, joyful, and costly undertakings, sometimes deferred for months or even years while the family accumulates sufficient funds. The body may be temporarily interred until the ceremony is ready to take place. Expatriates living in Bali may be invited to witness or participate in the public elements of such ceremonies, which are significant communal occasions.

The Torajan people of Sulawesi are renowned internationally for some of the world’s most elaborate mortuary traditions, involving multi-day ceremonies, the ritual slaughter of water buffalo, and the preservation of the body over extended periods. These are profoundly meaningful cultural events and a source of great communal pride for Torajan families.

Chinese-Indonesian communities, particularly in cities such as Medan, Surabaya, and Jakarta, frequently follow Buddhist or Confucian funeral customs, which may encompass the burning of incense, ritual offerings, and multi-day mourning observances. Veneration of ancestors holds a central place in these traditions.

Expatriates attending a funeral or visiting a bereaved household should dress modestly and conservatively, conduct themselves with restraint and respect, and take their cues from Indonesian hosts. Expressing condolences (turut berdukacita) and simply being present is deeply appreciated. Bringing food or practical items for the grieving family is a widespread custom across many communities.

What must you do when someone dies in Indonesia — the official steps?

The administrative sequence following the death of a foreign national in Indonesia involves multiple government bodies and must be completed in order. The steps outlined below reflect the process as established under Presidential Regulation No. 96 of 2018, Article 45, which governs death registration. For foreign nationals residing in Indonesia, obtaining a death certificate is indispensable not only for local administrative purposes but also for legalising the document for use abroad — it serves as the foundational proof of death required to close financial accounts, process inheritance claims, and handle other consequential matters. Always verify current procedural requirements with the relevant civil registration office and the deceased’s home country embassy, as processes may have been updated.

1. Obtain a medical certificate of death from the hospital or treating physician. The family must request formal written statements of death and cause of death from the hospital — the Surat Keterangan Pemeriksaan Kematian and the Surat Keterangan Karena Penyakit Menular/Tidak. If the death occurred outside a medical facility, a doctor must still formally certify the cause, and a police statement may be required confirming that the death was from natural causes.
2. Report the death to the local neighbourhood chief (RT/RW). A Surat Keterangan Kematian must be requested from the Neighbourhood Chief (RT/RW) of the area where the expatriate lived. This requires submitting a copy of the hospital death certificate, a copy of the deceased’s passport, and a copy of their ITAS/ITAP immigration card.
3. Report the death to the local municipal office (Kelurahan). Once the RT/RW letter has been obtained, all relevant documents should be taken to the local Kelurahan office to collect a Death Report Form (Formulir Pelaporan Kematian). This form is a required precondition for applying for the official death certificate.
4. Apply for the official death certificate at the Civil Registration Office (Dinas Dukcapil). The Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil (Dukcapil), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is the body responsible for issuing official death certificates (Akta Kematian). For foreign nationals, this requires submission of the hospital death certificate, the RT/RW letter, the Kelurahan death report form, and copies of the deceased’s passport and immigration documents.
5. Notify the deceased’s home country embassy or consulate. This should happen as early in the process as possible. The embassy can issue consular death certificates, support repatriation documentation, contact next of kin, and engage directly with Indonesian authorities on the family’s behalf. Most embassies in Jakarta maintain a consular emergency line for precisely this kind of situation.
6. Apply for a police clearance letter if repatriating the remains. An application for the Surat Keterangan Membawa Jenazah Keluar Daerah/Negeri must be made at the local Resort Police Department. This document must be secured before any attempt is made to transport the remains, whether to another Indonesian province or abroad.
7. Notify other relevant authorities. Depending on the circumstances of the deceased, this may involve: the local immigration office (to cancel the ITAS/ITAP); their employer or visa sponsor; their bank (to initiate estate administration proceedings); and the probate or district court if the estate requires formal judicial administration.
8. Engage a reputable funeral director. A licensed funeral director with established experience handling the affairs of deceased foreign nationals is invaluable throughout this process. They can coordinate logistics, communicate with government offices, and manage all repatriation arrangements. Costs vary considerably — confirm current fees directly with funeral service providers in your area.

All timelines for death registration are set out in Presidential Regulation No. 96 of 2018, though processing speeds at local offices will vary. Verify current turnaround times with the relevant Dukcapil office or your embassy. As a general rule, the sooner the process is set in motion, the more smoothly it will proceed — especially given Indonesia’s climate and the multi-agency nature of the required documentation.

How does inheritance and estate law work in Indonesia for expats?

Indonesia’s inheritance law is exceptionally complex because it does not function under a single unified code. Succession is predominantly governed by the Compilation of Islamic Law (Kompilasi Hukum Islam) for the Muslim majority. Non-Muslims, however, are subject to civil inheritance rules influenced by various customary frameworks (Adat Law), as well as Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and other traditions — producing a dense and sometimes contradictory web of legal doctrine.

For non-Muslim residents, inheritance is primarily regulated by the Civil Code, a legacy of the Dutch colonial period that provides a structured mechanism for distributing a deceased person’s assets among their heirs. For the majority of expatriates who are not Muslim, the Civil Code will be the principal legal framework governing their Indonesian estate.

A widely cited legal principle in this context is lex nationalis — the idea that succession to movable property should be governed by the law of the deceased’s nationality. However, relying on this principle without a locally enforceable legal instrument creates enormous practical obstacles. Indonesian banks and land registration offices are frequently reluctant to apply foreign laws they do not fully understand, and will commonly insist on an Affidavit of Foreign Law setting out the relevant statutes of the deceased’s home jurisdiction, which must then be litigated or approved by an Indonesian court.

Indonesia levies no direct inheritance tax, which comes as welcome news for many expatriates. However, other fiscal consequences can arise — particularly in relation to property and asset transfers. Beneficiaries inheriting real estate may be required to pay applicable property transfer taxes or related charges. As of 2025, no inheritance tax applies in Indonesia, but obligations connected to property transfers should be confirmed with the Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (DJP) — Indonesia’s national tax authority — as rules may be updated over time.

For foreign Muslims or those married to Muslim Indonesians, the religious courts (Pengadilan Agama) hold jurisdiction over succession matters. Rules are codified in the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). Under this system, testamentary freedom is constrained: a testator may only bequeath up to one-third of their estate to non-heirs through a will. The remaining two-thirds must be allocated according to fixed Quranic shares — for instance, daughters receive half the inheritance share allocated to sons.

The probate process in Indonesia involves court verification of a will’s authenticity and its conformity with Indonesian law before the estate can be formally administered and distributed. Notarisation plays a decisive role, lending legal certainty to the will and significantly streamlining the probate process.

Expatriates face distinct hurdles: restrictions on foreign property ownership and layered tax implications often require nominee arrangements and specialist legal counsel to navigate effectively. Probate delays are common — proceedings can stretch from months to years — making thorough estate planning and the appointment of a trustworthy executor all the more important. Engaging a locally qualified Indonesian lawyer and notary at the earliest stage of your residency is the single most consequential step you can take to protect your estate.

What practical steps should expats take to prepare for end of life in Indonesia?

End of life planning is rarely a comfortable conversation, but for expatriates in Indonesia it is an especially important one. The combination of limited palliative infrastructure, a multi-system legal framework, and substantial logistical hurdles around repatriation means that thoughtful preparation in advance can make an enormous difference — both for the individual and for those they leave behind.

• Prepare a locally valid will. Drafting a will is essential for ensuring your assets are distributed as you intend. A locally notarised Indonesian will reduces the risk of frozen accounts, family disputes, and protracted legal proceedings. Have it prepared or at minimum reviewed by a qualified Indonesian notary, and update it whenever your personal circumstances change significantly.
• Register with your home country’s embassy or consulate. Most embassies provide a voluntary registration service for nationals living overseas. In the event of your death, registration enables the embassy to assist your family with consular support, repatriation logistics, and next-of-kin notification far more efficiently. Check your home country’s foreign ministry website to find registration details for your embassy in Indonesia.
• Review your health insurance for palliative care coverage. Read your policy carefully. Does it cover inpatient palliative care in a private hospital? Does it extend to home-based palliative care or hospice services? Does it include medical evacuation if specialist care is unavailable in your location? Many standard expatriate health plans do not explicitly cover end of life care, and clarifying this before it becomes relevant is time well spent.
• Confirm your life insurance is internationally valid. If you hold a life insurance policy from your home country, check with the insurer whether it pays out for deaths occurring in Indonesia and whether any exclusions apply relating to cause of death or duration of residency abroad.
• Keep key documents accessible. Store copies of your will, passport, immigration documents, insurance policies, and any powers of attorney somewhere your family or trusted contacts can readily access. Consider using a secure digital document storage service or leaving copies with your notary or legal adviser.
• Discuss your wishes openly with your family. Indonesia lacks a robust statutory framework for advance directives. The most effective practical substitute is ensuring that those closest to you are clearly aware of your preferences regarding medical treatment, funeral arrangements, and whether you wish to be repatriated. Committing these wishes to writing — even if the resulting document does not carry formal legal force — provides meaningful guidance.
• Engage the right professionals. The key professionals to involve are: a qualified Indonesian lawyer or notary (for will preparation and estate planning); a financial adviser familiar with cross-border estate issues (for insurance and asset structuring); and a reputable local funeral director with experience handling the affairs of deceased foreign nationals (for repatriation and burial planning).
• Familiarise yourself with palliative care provision in your area. If you live in a major city, identify in advance which hospitals or clinics offer palliative care services. If you are based in a rural or remote location, this conversation is even more pressing — you may need to plan for medical evacuation to a large urban centre or abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a will I made in my home country valid in Indonesia?

Many expatriate families in Indonesia proceed on the mistaken assumption that a will prepared in their home country will automatically protect their interests locally. This belief carries significant financial risk, and can leave surviving spouses contending with frozen bank accounts and drawn-out legal disputes. While a foreign will can in principle be recognised in Indonesia, it must be authenticated through the Indonesian court system — a process requiring translation, notarisation, and often an Affidavit of Foreign Law. For anyone holding significant assets in Indonesia, a locally notarised Indonesian will is strongly recommended.

What happens if a foreign national dies in Indonesia without a will?

If a foreign national dies intestate (without a valid will) in Indonesia, the estate is divided under Indonesian law — either the Civil Code for non-Muslims or Islamic inheritance law for Muslims. While the Civil Code does provide a structured mechanism for determining heirs, the process tends to be slow and costly, and the outcome may bear little resemblance to what the deceased would have chosen. Assets in Indonesia — particularly property and bank accounts — can remain frozen for a prolonged period. Consulting an Indonesian lawyer as promptly as possible is advisable if this situation arises.

How do I arrange repatriation of a family member’s remains from Indonesia?

Repatriation involves assembling a sequence of official documents: a hospital death certificate, a neighbourhood chief (RT/RW) death report, a municipal Kelurahan death report form, an official death certificate from the Civil Registration Office (Dukcapil), and a police clearance letter (Surat Keterangan Membawa Jenazah Keluar Negeri). A crematorium or funeral agency will additionally require an original letter from the home country embassy confirming no objection to cremation or repatriation. Appoint a licensed funeral director with international experience and contact your embassy immediately — consular assistance throughout the process is invaluable.

Can expats access public palliative care in Indonesia through the national health insurance system (BPJS)?

Palliative care is not recognised as a distinct clinical speciality within the Indonesian health system and therefore has no assigned tariff under BPJS Kesehatan. This creates structural conditions that work against the growth of formal end of life services. Foreign nationals holding a KITAS/KITAP visa may contribute to BPJS Kesehatan, but dedicated palliative care is not among the defined benefits. In practice, expatriates needing palliative care will generally depend on private hospitals or international health insurance. For the most current guidance, check with BPJS Kesehatan and your private insurer.

Is there an inheritance tax on assets I leave in Indonesia?

Indonesia does not levy a direct inheritance tax, which is a positive consideration for expatriates. However, other fiscal implications may arise — particularly in connection with property and asset transfers. Beneficiaries inheriting real estate may be subject to applicable property transfer taxes or related charges. As of 2025, no inheritance tax applies, but you should verify the current position with the Direktorat Jenderal Pajak (DJP). Bear in mind also that your home country may impose its own inheritance or estate taxes on your worldwide assets regardless of where you die.

What role does the embassy play when a foreign national dies in Indonesia?

Your home country’s embassy or consulate in Indonesia serves an important and practical function. It can issue a consular death certificate, help notify next of kin, supply lists of reputable local funeral directors and lawyers, engage with Indonesian authorities on your family’s behalf, and provide the letter of no objection needed for cremation or repatriation. The embassy cannot fund repatriation costs or assume direct control of administrative proceedings, but its early involvement considerably eases the process. Contact the embassy the moment a death occurs.

Can I specify my end of life medical wishes in advance in Indonesia?

Indonesia does not have a clear statutory framework for advance directives comparable to those that exist in countries such as Germany, Canada, or New Zealand. Legal ambiguity around this area creates uncertainty for both families and treating clinicians. The most effective practical approach in the current environment is to put your wishes in writing, discuss them with your family and your doctor, and — where relevant — share them with your notary. Some private international hospitals operating in Indonesia are considerably more receptive to written end of life care preferences than public health facilities.

What should I do immediately if a family member dies in Indonesia?

Several things must happen simultaneously and quickly: obtain the death certificate and cause of death documentation from the hospital or treating doctor; notify your home country’s embassy or consulate for consular assistance; contact a reputable local funeral director to begin logistical arrangements; inform the RT/RW neighbourhood chief; and gather the deceased’s key identity documents — passport, ITAS/ITAP card, insurance details, and any will. If repatriation is the intended course, delay is not an option — Indonesia’s tropical climate demands prompt action, and the documentation process involves multiple steps and agencies. The embassy’s consular emergency line should be your first and most important point of contact.