Repatriation of a deceased body from abroad to England or Wales
Most funeral directors should be able to give advice on how to repatriate a loved one from abroad and there are several firms that specialise in this.
Where the deceased had a valid travel insurance policy, repatriation and its costs may be arranged and met by the insurers if specified in the cover document.
If a death occurs abroad, the death should be registered according to the local regulations of that country and a Death Certificate should be obtained. To bring a body back to England you will need either the Death Certificate or an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country of death by someone authorised to do so.
To arrange a funeral in England you will need:
- an authenticated translation of a Death Certificate showing the cause of death and
- a Certificate of No Liability to Register. This certificate must be obtained from the Registrar in whose area it is intended to bury or cremate the deceased. An appointment will be required.
To arrange the cremation in England of a person where the death occurred abroad (outside England) you will need a cremation order from the Home Office or a certificate of cremation (form E) from the coroner.
Either of these dispenses with the need for the two doctors' certificates for cremation (forms B and C).
If the deaths occurred in Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands the local equivalents of forms B and C may be acceptable.
If the death was from natural causes, the Home Office will issue an order on production of the application for cremation form (A) and original documents (which must clearly state the cause of death) from the country where death occurred.
The Home Office may require authorised translations of documents in some foreign languages.
If the death was not natural it will be referred to the coroner who will open an inquest to investigate the cause and circumstances of death.
Email this pageLast modified by: Webmaster on 13/05/2008