Jordan – End of Life Issues

What end of life care options are available in Jordan, and how does the system work?

Jordan’s end of life care is structured around hospital-based treatment, outpatient clinical services, and an expanding home-based palliative care offering. The healthcare landscape is split between the public and private sectors, with the Ministry of Health responsible for overseeing public hospitals. Patients living with advanced illness are most frequently cared for within hospital settings, typically in oncology or internal medicine departments.

Jordan has established itself as a regional model for pain management and palliative care across the Middle East, with the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC) in Amman serving as a comprehensive cancer facility that delivers palliative services to inpatients, outpatients, and patients receiving care in their homes. Outside the field of oncology, dedicated end of life services remain sparse, and most patients depend heavily on family members as caregivers, supported by hospital-based clinical teams. Home care is increasingly recognised as a practical, cost-effective means of extending service reach without placing additional pressure on hospital capacity.

Financial constraints within Jordan’s health system have the potential to significantly affect the availability of palliative services for cancer patients, though home-based care is widely viewed as a viable and economical response to these pressures. Expats facing serious or terminal diagnoses should plan early, engage their treating physicians proactively, and coordinate with their health insurance providers to ensure a coherent care pathway is established well in advance.

What is palliative care in Jordan, and who is eligible for it?

Palliative care in Jordan is centred on enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with life-threatening or terminal conditions, rather than pursuing curative interventions. Palliative home care is a defined service for people with life-limiting illnesses who wish to remain at home, offering compassionate, holistic support to both patients and their families while prioritising quality of life over its duration.

Care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams comprising physicians, nurses, social workers, technicians, caregivers, and volunteers, all working collaboratively to address the physical, emotional, and social needs of patients and their families. The service has historically centred on oncology patients — a significant focus given that more than 75% of cancer patients across the region are diagnosed at a stage where curative treatment is no longer possible.

Regulatory changes have been introduced to make opioid prescribing more accessible and effective for pain management. The national opioid quota has been increased, and cost-effective generic immediate-release morphine tablets are now manufactured domestically in Jordan — a meaningful development for patients requiring adequate pain relief during the final stages of illness. Referral to palliative services at KHCC is generally initiated by an oncologist or specialist. Expats should raise the subject of palliative care with their treating team and request a formal referral to the appropriate department.

Are there hospices in Jordan, and how do you access them?

Jordan does not have an extensive network of standalone hospice facilities comparable to those found in countries with well-developed end of life infrastructure, such as the UK’s network of independently operated hospices. That said, hospice-style care — specialist comfort-focused support for individuals in the final weeks or months of life — is available through the dedicated palliative care department at KHCC.

Since January 2005, physicians trained in palliative medicine have been delivering full-time palliative care at KHCC and Al Basheer Hospital. The growth of palliative provision has been substantial: prior to 2003, fewer than 250 patients per year received such care, but by 2006 this figure had risen to more than 800 patients annually receiving pain relief and palliative support through these two institutions. Provision has continued to expand since that time, driven by dedicated advocates within Jordan’s healthcare community.

To access palliative or hospice-style care at KHCC, a physician referral is generally required. The KHCC Hospice and Palliative Care Department accommodates inpatient and outpatient referrals and also conducts home-based palliative care visits. Expats should either approach KHCC directly or request that their treating specialist submit a referral. Visit the King Hussein Cancer Centre website for current contact information and eligibility criteria.

Is palliative or hospice care covered by public health insurance or the national health system in Jordan, or does it need to be funded privately?

Jordan operates a public health insurance scheme administered by the Ministry of Health, which primarily covers Jordanian nationals and certain categories of residents. Coverage for palliative and hospice care — particularly home-based services — is inconsistent, and many patients find themselves meeting a proportion of costs out of their own pocket. Unlike systems such as France’s universal health insurance arrangement, which integrates palliative care into its standard benefits package, Jordan’s public system does not guarantee comprehensive end of life care entitlements as an established policy right.

Expats residing in Jordan are not generally enrolled in the public insurance scheme automatically and must either hold private international health insurance or bear the cost of care directly. If you are employed locally, examine your employer-provided health plan closely to determine whether it extends to palliative care, home nursing, or hospitalisation for terminal illness, as benefit levels differ considerably between providers and plan tiers.

If the deceased held an insurance policy, the insurance company should be contacted without delay to determine whether repatriation expenses and other costs are covered, and to initiate any necessary arrangements. You are likely to need the policy number and the associated 24-hour medical emergency contact number. This principle applies equally to ongoing palliative care costs incurred before death. Expats are strongly encouraged to scrutinise their insurance terms thoroughly before a crisis develops.

What legal documents should expats have in place before the end of life in Jordan — such as a living will, advance directive, power of attorney, or healthcare proxy — and how do these work?

Jordan does not have a comprehensively codified legal framework for advance directives or living wills in the manner of countries such as Germany, which has enacted specific legislation for its Patientenverfügung, or Canada’s provincial advance care planning laws. Nevertheless, a written statement outlining your healthcare preferences retains practical value, particularly for communicating wishes to medical teams and family members who may need to make decisions on your behalf.

A power of attorney (POA) is a recognised legal instrument in Jordan and can be used to designate a trusted individual to act on your behalf in legal, financial, and medical matters should you lose the capacity to act independently. Documents requiring legalisation in Jordan will ordinarily need to pass through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any POA intended for use in Jordan should be prepared with the assistance of a Jordanian notary or qualified lawyer; if drafted abroad, it must be authenticated through the appropriate consular channels before it will be accepted.

Expats should also ensure they hold a current, valid will that addresses their Jordanian assets, names an executor, and — where relevant — sets out funeral and burial preferences. For Muslims, Islamic inheritance law substantially governs how assets are distributed, though a will remains a valuable instrument for expressing intentions and addressing assets in other jurisdictions. For non-Muslim expats, a will prepared in accordance with Jordanian civil law or their home country’s legal system — and properly authenticated for use in Jordan — is strongly advisable. Consult a Jordanian lawyer with expertise in cross-border estate planning.

Are documents such as advance directives or powers of attorney made in another country legally recognised in Jordan?

Foreign legal documents — including powers of attorney, wills, and any form of advance directive — are not automatically valid in Jordan. The country requires foreign-issued documents to undergo a formal authentication procedure before they will be accepted by courts, hospitals, or financial institutions, and completing this legalisation process is therefore essential for ensuring compliance with local requirements.

Jordan is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that documents originating from other countries cannot simply be apostilled. Instead, they require state-level authentication, authentication by the relevant government authority in the country of origin (such as the US Department of State for documents from the United States), and subsequent legalisation by the Jordanian embassy or consulate in that country. Documents originating outside Jordan must follow a two-stage process: authentication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country where the document was created, followed by legalisation at a Jordanian diplomatic mission in that country.

In practical terms, this means that a power of attorney signed in Australia or France, for example, must be notarised, authenticated by the relevant government authority in the country of origin, and then legalised by the Jordanian embassy there before it will be recognised in Jordan. Allow several weeks for this procedure to be completed, and ensure that certified Arabic translations are prepared in advance, as Jordanian authorities conduct all official business in Arabic.

What are the laws around euthanasia or assisted dying in Jordan?

Euthanasia and assisted dying are illegal in Jordan in all forms. No legislation exists permitting physician-assisted death, whether active euthanasia or assisted suicide. Jordan’s legal framework draws substantially on Islamic principles, which hold that human life is a divine gift and that deliberately ending a life — including one’s own — is forbidden under Islamic religious law.

In clinical terms, healthcare providers are expected to focus on symptom management, comfort, and pain relief at end of life, without taking any deliberate action to accelerate death. The withdrawal of treatment deemed to be medically futile — for instance, discontinuing ventilatory support for a patient with no realistic prospect of recovery — may be handled differently by different medical teams, and families are often closely consulted in such decisions. Expats confronted with these difficult circumstances are strongly encouraged to engage both their medical team and a legal adviser, and to seek guidance from their home country’s embassy when navigating complex end of life decisions within the local context.

What are the local customs, traditions, and religious practices around death and dying in Jordan?

The overwhelming majority of Jordan’s population is Muslim, and Islamic tradition shapes most of the customs and practices surrounding death and burial. The guiding principle is one of promptness and simplicity: Jordanian law mandates burial within 24 hours of death, a requirement grounded in the Islamic belief in honouring the dignity of the deceased and returning the body to the earth without unnecessary delay.

Under normal circumstances, the body is washed by members of the deceased’s family, though others may be engaged to carry out this rite. Following ritual washing, the body is wrapped in white cloth and a funeral prayer is performed — a central act in Jordanian Islamic funeral practice that takes place collectively, often within a mosque, and reflects the community’s shared belief in death as a passage from this life to the next.

By tradition, the grave is oriented perpendicular to Mecca, with the body laid on its right side facing the holy city. Custom typically limits those present at the graveside to men, though practices vary and some communities permit all mourners, regardless of gender, to attend the burial.

The mourning period for a close relative — known as hidaad — lasts three days. A widow observes a longer period of mourning called iddah, extending to four months and ten days, during which she is expected to refrain from interaction with men she could potentially marry. Composed grief is considered appropriate; Islam discourages loud wailing or displays of emotional excess. It is customary for neighbours and community members to visit the bereaved family at home to offer condolences and to bring food and practical support during the mourning period. Non-Muslims living in Jordan are expected to show respect for these traditions; if attending a condolence visit, dress modestly and take your cue from the family.

Jordan’s Christian communities — which include Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other denominations — observe Christian liturgical funeral rites, with burial in designated Christian cemeteries. Certain international cemeteries in Amman also include plots reserved for non-Muslim foreign nationals.

What must you do when someone dies in Jordan? Who do you notify, how quickly, and in what order?

The steps below reflect the general legal and practical requirements following a death in Jordan. Because Jordanian law requires burial within 24 hours, time is of the essence. Act without delay and, wherever possible, engage a funeral director with experience handling the deaths of foreign nationals.

1. Contact emergency services or a doctor without delay. If the death occurs outside a hospital, dial 911 — Jordan’s emergency services number — or contact the nearest police station. Jordanian law requires an autopsy for any death occurring outside a hospital environment, and no religious exemptions are available for this requirement.
2. Obtain an official medical death notification. A qualified doctor — whether at the scene, from a hospital, or from a government forensic unit — must certify the death and issue a formal notification. When a death occurs in hospital, this is issued directly by the attending physician.
3. Notify the police (for deaths occurring outside a hospital). Police must be informed of any death outside a medical facility. They will arrange the mandatory autopsy through the Department of Forensic Pathology, which is typically conducted at Al-Basheer Hospital or the University of Jordan Hospital in Amman.
4. Register the death with the Civil Status Department (Dairat Al-Ahwal Al-Madaniyyah). The next of kin or their appointed representative must attend the relevant Civil Status office to register the death and obtain the official death certificate. This should be done as swiftly as possible to enable burial within the 24-hour legal window.
5. Inform your home country’s embassy or consulate. Contact the relevant diplomatic mission as soon as possible. If immediate assistance is needed in reaching the deceased’s family, call the embassy’s emergency line. If the matter is less urgent, arrange a consular appointment to discuss the formal death reporting process with a consular officer.
6. Contact the deceased’s insurance provider. If the deceased held an insurance policy, notify the insurance company immediately to determine whether repatriation expenses and other costs are covered and to initiate the necessary arrangements.
7. Engage a local funeral director. A family member or formally appointed representative must instruct a local funeral director to proceed with arrangements, whether for burial in Jordan or for international repatriation.
8. Apply for an extended storage permit if required. If local burial is not possible within 24 hours, you or the appointed funeral director may apply to the Ministry of Health for a permit to extend storage to up to 72 hours at an approved facility, such as government hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Irbid, Zarqa, or Ma’an.

How is a death officially registered in Jordan, and what documents are needed?

Death registration in Jordan falls under the authority of the Civil Status Department (Dairat Al-Ahwal Al-Madaniyyah), which operates within the Ministry of Interior. The registration system has been mandatory for the general population since the mid-twentieth century, and all deaths occurring in Jordan — including those of foreign nationals — must be registered without exception.

The following documents are typically required to register a death:

• Medical death notification issued by the attending doctor or forensic pathologist
• Autopsy report (where the death occurred outside a hospital)
• The deceased’s national identity card or passport
• The deceased’s residency permit (if a foreign national)
• A completed death registration form from the Civil Status Department

Once registration is complete, an official Jordanian death certificate is issued in Arabic. For international purposes — such as notifying pension administrators, banks, or insurers in other countries — certified copies of the certificate will be needed, along with a certified translation into English or another relevant language. The US Embassy in Amman advises that the Consular Report of Death Abroad process requires the original local death certificate with English translation issued by Jordanian authorities, as well as the original hospital or doctor’s notification of death with English translation.

Request multiple certified copies of the death certificate at the time of registration. You are very likely to require them for insurance claims, estate administration, bank account closures, pension notifications, and repatriation paperwork, and obtaining additional copies at a later stage can be time-consuming.

What happens if a foreign national dies in Jordan — 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 Jordan, their home country’s embassy or consulate performs a central coordinating function, acting as a bridge between Jordanian authorities, the deceased’s family, and relevant institutions in the home country. It is important to note, however, that the consulate cannot override Jordanian law or provide public funding for repatriation or funeral costs.

The key functions typically performed by the consulate include:

• Issuing a Consular Report of Death Abroad — or its equivalent — which serves as the official document used to register the death within the home country’s vital records system
• Notifying the next of kin if they have not yet been informed of the death
• Providing a list of local funeral directors experienced in handling the deaths of foreign nationals and coordinating international repatriation
• Assisting with the translation or authentication of Jordanian death certificates
• Issuing a letter of no objection or equivalent authorisation, which Jordanian local authorities require from the embassy before repatriation can be approved
• Offering guidance on local estate administration, probate, and inheritance law — though not formal legal advice

Contact your country’s embassy in Amman at the earliest opportunity. Most major embassies maintain a 24-hour emergency line specifically for situations of this kind. The US Embassy in Jordan, for instance, can be reached on +962 6 590 6000 for urgent assistance in notifying the family of a deceased American citizen. Other embassies maintain similar emergency contact lines — check your home country’s foreign affairs ministry website for the relevant number before you travel or establish residence in Jordan.

How are funerals typically arranged in Jordan, and what are the usual options for burial or cremation?

Funerals in Jordan are ordinarily arranged by the deceased’s family with support from a local funeral director. Given the 24-hour burial requirement, all arrangements must be made with considerable urgency. Funeral service providers in Amman and other major urban centres are accustomed to handling Muslim and non-Muslim burials alike, and a number have specific experience assisting with the repatriation of foreign nationals.

Burial is the only legally permitted method of disposing of remains in Jordan. Cremation is not allowed under Jordanian law, and no religious exemptions exist for this prohibition. This is a critical consideration for expats whose cultural background or personal preference favours cremation. If cremation is desired, remains must first be repatriated to a country where the practice is lawful.

For Muslim burials, the process follows Islamic custom: ritual washing, shrouding, funeral prayer, and interment in a Muslim cemetery with the body oriented towards Mecca. For non-Muslim expats, burial in a Christian or multi-denominational cemetery is available in Amman and selected other cities. Embalming is not a legal requirement for burial within Jordan. However, embalming services are available though not routinely offered, and quality can be inconsistent with international standards. The Department of Forensic Pathology at Al-Basheer Hospital and the University of Jordan Hospital both provide embalming, with a fee of approximately JD 100 (as of 2025).

What are the approximate costs of a funeral in Jordan, and are there any state or insurance-based funds that can help cover them?

Funeral costs in Jordan vary according to religion and the specific arrangements involved. Christian burials typically cost in the region of USD 900 to USD 1,000 (as of 2025). Muslim burials tend to be simpler and generally less costly, consistent with Islamic principles of modesty in burial rites. Costs can increase substantially when embalming, extended body storage, specialised coffins, or particular cemetery plots are required.

Government hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Irbid, Zarqa, and Ma’an charge an average daily storage fee of JD 15 (as of 2025), while many private hospitals also offer storage at daily rates that may reach JD 90 or above. These charges are separate from funeral director fees, cemetery costs, and any administrative or documentation expenses.

No state funeral fund exists for foreign nationals in Jordan. Whether costs can be offset will depend entirely on the deceased’s private insurance arrangements. If an insurance policy was in place, contact the insurer immediately with the policy number and 24-hour emergency contact number to determine whether repatriation and funeral expenses are covered. It is important to note that if a travel insurance company confirms coverage, you should not independently appoint a funeral director, as the insurer will be responsible for appointing one both locally and in the destination country. International health or life insurance policies that include a repatriation benefit can substantially ease the financial pressure on bereaved families.

What is the process for repatriating the remains of a foreign national from Jordan to another country?

Repatriating remains from Jordan involves a multi-stage administrative procedure engaging Jordanian authorities, the deceased’s embassy, and international transport arrangements. Given the 24-hour burial law, securing a Ministry of Health permit for extended storage is typically the first practical priority when repatriation is planned rather than local burial.

The principal steps involved are as follows:

1. Obtain the official Jordanian death certificate from the Civil Status Department, together with a certified translation into the language required by the destination country.
2. Secure a Ministry of Health storage permit to allow the body to be held beyond the standard 24-hour window while repatriation arrangements are finalised (up to 72 hours at an approved facility).
3. Obtain a letter of no objection from the relevant embassy. Jordanian local authorities require a letter of no objection from the deceased’s home country embassy before repatriation can be authorised.
4. Complete embalming if required by the destination country. Many countries require the remains to be embalmed for international transport. The Department of Forensic Pathology at Al-Basheer Hospital and the University of Jordan Hospital both provide this service, with a fee of approximately JD 100 (as of 2025).
5. Arrange the coffin and sealing. A zinc-lined or hermetically sealed coffin is typically required for international air transport. For repatriation to the United States, an affidavit from the funeral service provider who witnessed the sealing of the casket — notarised by a consular officer — is required, and similar documentation is generally expected by other destination countries.
6. Obtain the necessary transit permits from Jordanian authorities and, where applicable, a permit from the destination country authorising the import of human remains.
7. Book cargo transport with an airline. Not all airports or airlines accept human remains as cargo, so confirm all logistics in advance. Specialist repatriation companies can manage the complete process on your behalf.
8. Complete local registration and customs requirements upon the arrival of remains in the destination country, including any inquest or import formalities required under local law.

The typical cost of repatriating remains internationally falls between USD 3,800 and USD 7,800 (as of 2025), depending on the countries involved, the distance, flight type, and type of coffin used. Costs can be substantially reduced where the deceased held an insurance policy with a repatriation benefit. Engaging a professional repatriation company with experience handling cases involving Jordan is strongly recommended to avoid administrative complications and delays.

What happens to the estate of someone who dies in Jordan — how does probate or estate administration work, and are there inheritance taxes?

Inheritance law in Jordan draws on both Islamic law (Sharia) and civil law, reflecting the country’s diverse religious communities. For Muslim decedents, the primary framework is derived from Sharia, which prescribes clearly defined shares of the estate for designated heirs and provides structured guidance on asset distribution.

The probate process in Jordan is the formal legal procedure through which a deceased person’s estate is settled in accordance with the law. The process typically begins with the filing of the will at the court of first instance in the area where the deceased was resident, and this submission must generally be made within three months of the date of death to avoid complications (as of 2024).

The court fee for the formal division of an estate is 0.5% of the total estate value, subject to a cap of JD 5,000 (as of 2025). Jordanian law provides that outstanding debts and funeral expenses are discharged before any distribution of assets to heirs takes place. Jordan does not currently impose a separate inheritance tax or estate duty — the court administration fee described above is the primary financial cost of the probate process. Confirm the current position with a Jordanian lawyer, as tax legislation is subject to revision.

Jordan recognises the distinct legal traditions of its non-Muslim communities and has established civil inheritance provisions applicable to these groups. Non-Muslims in Jordan are able to draft wills and undertake inheritance planning consistent with their religious traditions and applicable legal frameworks. Expats should retain a Jordanian lawyer with cross-border estate experience, particularly if they hold assets in more than one country.

If an expat dies without a will in Jordan, what happens to their assets under local intestacy laws?

Dying intestate — without a valid will — in Jordan means the estate will be distributed in accordance with Jordanian intestacy law. For Muslim decedents, Islamic inheritance rules govern distribution; for non-Muslims, civil law provisions apply. Most expats are likely to be non-Muslim, so civil intestacy rules will generally determine what happens to their Jordanian-based assets.

Under Islamic inheritance law, specific proportional shares are assigned to heirs based on their family relationship with the deceased, ensuring that spouses, children, and parents each receive a predetermined portion of the estate. This system is designed to promote equity and reduce disputes. Children’s shares are calculated according to the number of children, with male heirs generally entitled to twice the share of female heirs, reflecting traditional Islamic inheritance principles. Secondary heirs — such as siblings and grandparents — may also receive a share if no primary heirs survive the deceased.

Article 284 of the Jordanian Personal Status Law provides that if the deceased leaves no heir, their movable and immovable property shall pass to the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places; and if 15 years have elapsed since the funds of an absent person were last managed, the assets revert to the state treasury in Jordan.

For expats with assets distributed across multiple jurisdictions, dying without a valid will can trigger protracted, costly, and unpredictable proceedings in several countries simultaneously. Preparing a valid will that is enforceable in Jordan — and ensuring that assets held in your home country are equally covered — is strongly recommended. Seek advice from a lawyer admitted to practise in Jordan before any urgent need arises.

Frequently asked questions

Will my private international health insurance cover palliative care and end of life treatment in Jordan?

This depends on the specific terms of your policy. Many international health insurance plans extend to hospitalisation and specialist oncology care, but home-based palliative care and hospice-style services may be excluded or may require prior authorisation. Review your policy documentation carefully before a crisis develops, and speak to your insurer to confirm whether home-based palliative care, extended hospital stays for terminal illness, and associated nursing costs are covered. If gaps exist in your current coverage, supplementary insurance may be available.

Are documents such as a will or power of attorney written in a foreign language valid in Jordan?

Documents in any language other than Arabic must be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation before they can be used in Jordan. Beyond the question of language, foreign legal documents must undergo the full consular legalisation process before they will be accepted by Jordanian courts, hospitals, or financial institutions. Jordan is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a simple apostille stamp is not sufficient — full embassy legalisation is required. Allow several weeks for this procedure and ensure translations are carried out by a qualified legal translator whose work is accepted by Jordanian authorities.

How long does the process of repatriating remains from Jordan typically take?

In uncomplicated cases where insurance is in place, all required documentation is readily available, and the destination country imposes no unusual requirements, repatriation can generally be completed within three to seven days. Where a mandatory autopsy is required, documentation issues arise, or the destination country has complex import conditions, the process may take considerably longer. A Ministry of Health permit can extend the permissible storage period to up to 72 hours. Engaging a specialist repatriation company can often accelerate the process significantly.

Can a foreign national be cremated after death in Jordan?

Cremation is prohibited under Jordanian law, and no religious exemptions apply to this prohibition. For expats who prefer cremation, the only available option is to repatriate the remains to a country where cremation is lawful and arrange the procedure there. Families should be aware of this restriction when making advance end of life plans and ensure that their insurance or repatriation arrangements can accommodate it.

What support is available for bereaved family members in Jordan?

Formal bereavement counselling services of the kind offered by hospice organisations in many European countries are not widely accessible in Jordan outside of specialist clinical centres. The KHCC palliative care department provides some psychosocial support to the families of cancer patients. Beyond clinical channels, emotional and practical support is typically offered through family networks, local communities, and religious institutions. Some embassies are also able to direct bereaved families towards community groups or expatriate networks that provide informal support during periods of grief.

Does Jordan have an inheritance tax?

Jordan does not currently levy a separate inheritance tax or estate duty. A court administration fee of 0.5% of the total estate value applies when an estate is formally divided through the courts, subject to a maximum of JD 5,000 (as of 2025). Always confirm the current legal position with a qualified Jordanian lawyer, as fiscal regulations can change.

What should I do if a family member dies in Jordan and I am not in the country?

Contact the deceased’s home country embassy in Amman immediately — most maintain a 24-hour emergency line for precisely this situation. The embassy can verify the death, relay relevant information to you, and advise on the necessary next steps. You may appoint a local representative — such as a trusted contact in Jordan, a Jordanian lawyer, or a funeral director — to act on your behalf through a power of attorney, which ideally should be prepared in advance. If the deceased held travel or life insurance, contact the insurer’s emergency line at the same time, as they may be able to coordinate arrangements on your behalf.

What happens to a foreign national’s bank accounts and property in Jordan after death?

Bank accounts held in Jordan will typically be frozen as soon as the bank is notified of the account holder’s death and will remain frozen until the probate process is concluded and the court has approved the distribution of assets to lawful heirs. Jordanian law requires that outstanding debts and funeral expenses be settled before any distribution of estate assets takes place. Immovable property in Jordan must similarly pass through the formal estate administration process. Expats are advised to maintain thorough records of all Jordanian assets, keep their will up to date, and ensure that a trusted person in Jordan knows where to locate important documents in the event of an emergency.