If your loved one died in the UK, but expressed a wish to be buried in another country, you will need to make arrangements both at home and in the funeral destination abroad. You will encounter a number of legal requirements that need to be met before you make these arrangements.
You can ask any funeral director to assist you with these arrangements, some firms specialise in repatriation and have extensive experience of working with certain countries, airlines and the paperwork involved. It is a good idea to check with your funeral director before you make any arrangements.
There are also strict guidelines if you wish to repatriate your loved one abroad. The coffin must be zinc-lined and they must be embalmed. Specific airlines may also have extra regulations and prices can vary depending on the destination, the time and date of the flight and the airline.
You will need to notify the Coroner where your loved one died.The first step is to fill in a Removal Notice (form 104). Please see guidance on removal of corpses from the UK.
Approval is also needed whenever you want to transport a loved one between countries within the UK. For example, if you are in England or Wales, you would need permission to fly your loved one to Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. The cost of the documentation needed can vary. You will need to collect the correct documentation from the destination country. The documentation is usually required on arrival at the destination country. Failure to provide these documents may result in your loved one being detained.
Repatriating the ashes of a loved one from one country to another is a more affordable alternative and is more convenient, as some airlines even allow you to transport your loved one’s ashes in passenger aircraft as part of your hand luggage.
You will need a certified copy of the Death Certificate, the certificate from the crematorium and authorisation from the consulate of the destination country which vary country to country. Please contact our bereavement team who can arrange the certificates for you at cemeteries@kingston.gov.uk.