International Funeral Repatriation to and from the UK

William Dunphy Funeral Directors provides professional international funeral repatriation services from London and the UK to destinations around the world.

Established in 1996, we have extensive experience arranging the repatriation of people who have died in the UK and supporting families who need to bring a loved one who has died overseas back to the UK.

International repatriation can initially seem complicated, particularly when families are dealing with airlines, documentation, embassies, consulates and different regulations between countries. Our experienced team can guide you through the process and coordinate the arrangements on your behalf.

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How do you repatriate someone who has died in the UK?

Repatriation is the process of transporting someone who has died from one country to another for their funeral, burial or cremation.

When someone dies in the UK and is to be repatriated overseas, there are a number of legal, practical and transportation requirements that must be completed before they can travel.

William Dunphy Funeral Directors can coordinate the repatriation process, including preparing the deceased for international travel, arranging the appropriate coffin or casket, completing the necessary documentation and liaising with airlines, embassies, consulates and the receiving funeral director overseas where required.

Requirements differ depending on the destination country, so we will advise you on the arrangements required for the country concerned.

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What is included in our international repatriation service?

We can arrange:

• Expert advice and assistance throughout the repatriation

• Collection and care of the person who has died

• Embalming and dressing where required

• Viewing in our chapel of rest

• A coffin or casket suitable for international transportation

• An appropriate protective air tray where required

• Airline booking and air freight arrangements

• UK airport transfer and handling

• Liaison with the receiving funeral director overseas

• Assistance with embassy and consulate requirements

• Advice regarding documentation and legal requirements

• Preparation and coordination of the required repatriation paperwork

If additional services are required in the UK, such as a service at a church or other place of worship before departure, we can also help arrange these.

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What documents are needed to repatriate someone from the UK?

The exact documentation depends upon the country to which the person is travelling.

Documents may include the death documentation, permission for the deceased to leave England or Wales, embalming certification and documentation required by the destination country's embassy or consulate.

Some countries have additional requirements or require documents to be certified or legalised.

Our team will explain which documents are required and help coordinate the paperwork for the destination concerned.

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Do you arrange the flight?

Yes. We can arrange suitable international air transportation for the deceased and coordinate the necessary UK airport handling.

Transporting a deceased person internationally is different from booking an ordinary passenger flight. The arrangements need to comply with airline requirements as well as those of the destination country.

We can liaise with the airline or appropriate cargo handling agents and arrange transportation to the airport.

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Do you deal with embassies and consulates?

Where required, we can assist with the embassy or consulate procedures associated with the repatriation.

Different countries have different requirements, and some may require additional permits, certificates or legalised documentation before the deceased can enter the country.

We will advise you about the requirements relevant to the destination.

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Can you arrange a funeral director in the destination country?

Yes.

We work with funeral professionals internationally and can liaise with a receiving funeral director at the destination.

The overseas funeral director can arrange collection following arrival and assist the family with the funeral or burial arrangements in that country.

If your family already has a funeral director overseas, we can work directly with them.

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Can you bring someone who has died abroad back to the UK?

Yes. We can also assist families who need to repatriate someone who has died overseas back to the UK.

The death will normally need to be registered according to the laws of the country where the person died, and the appropriate local procedures must be completed before repatriation can take place.

We can liaise with funeral directors overseas and assist with the arrangements for the deceased to be transported back to the UK.

Once they arrive, we can bring them into our care and arrange their funeral, burial or cremation in the UK.

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What happens if someone dies abroad while on holiday?

If the person had travel insurance, you should contact their travel insurance company as soon as possible, as the policy may cover some or all of the repatriation costs.

If there is no insurance, the family can appoint an international funeral director directly.

William Dunphy Funeral Directors can advise you on the next steps and assist with bringing your loved one back to the UK.

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How long does international repatriation take?

There is no single timescale for repatriation.

The time required depends on the circumstances of the death, documentation, local authorities, embassy or consulate requirements, airline availability and the rules of the country concerned.

If a Coroner, police authority or overseas equivalent is involved, this may also affect how quickly repatriation can take place.

We will keep you informed throughout the process and arrange transportation as soon as the necessary permissions and documentation are available.

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How much does international repatriation cost?

The cost varies depending on the destination, airline charges, coffin or casket requirements, documentation and any additional services required.

We aim to provide clear and competitively priced repatriation arrangements and will explain the expected costs before proceeding.

Please contact us with the destination country and details of the circumstances and we can advise you about the likely arrangements and costs.

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Can cremated remains be taken overseas?

Yes. Cremated remains can usually be transported internationally, although the requirements vary between countries and airlines.

Families should check the requirements of the destination country and the airline before travelling.

We can advise families about the appropriate documentation and arrangements for transporting cremated remains overseas.

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International repatriation funeral directors in London

From our funeral homes in Brockley and East Dulwich, William Dunphy Funeral Directors assists families throughout London and the surrounding areas with international repatriation.

Whether you need to repatriate someone from the UK to another country or bring a loved one who has died overseas back to the UK, our experienced team can guide you through the process.

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Speak to us about international repatriation

If someone has died and you need advice about international repatriation, please contact us. We will explain what needs to happen and help you through each stage of the arrangements.

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William Dunphy Funeral Directors — Independent Funeral Directors, established 1996.