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Contact Memories
Call us and explain what's happened. We'll ask where your loved one has died, whether the local authorities are involved and what arrangements have already been made.
Help & Guidance
Dying Abroad & Repatriation
When someone dies overseas, bringing them home can feel like an overwhelming task. We're here to help you through it.
Dealing with a death in another country can involve unfamiliar procedures, different authorities and arrangements you may never have had to consider before.
At Memories, we'll explain the process, help coordinate arrangements with the relevant people overseas and support you in bringing your loved one home to the UK.
We'll then be here to take care of their funeral arrangements, giving you one familiar point of contact throughout.
Bringing Someone Home
What Is Repatriation?
Repatriation is the process of returning someone who has died in another country to their home country.
When a person dies overseas, there are usually legal, medical and administrative requirements that must be completed before they can travel back to the UK.
The exact procedure depends on where the death occurred, the circumstances surrounding it and whether the person had travel insurance.
We'll help you understand what's involved, what needs to happen first and which arrangements we can make on your behalf.
Where to Begin
What Should You Do First?
If someone close to you has died abroad, there are a few important first steps.
You don't need to understand the whole process before asking for help.
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Check Travel Insurance
If your loved one had travel insurance, contact the insurer's emergency assistance service as soon as possible. They may coordinate and pay for repatriation, depending on the policy.
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Establish Local Requirements
The authorities in the country where the death occurred will have their own procedures. A local funeral director, insurer or British consular service can help explain what's required.
An Important First Check
Travel Insurance and Repatriation
If the person who has died was travelling with a valid travel insurance policy, the policy may cover the cost of returning them to the UK.
The insurer may also arrange the international funeral director, transportation and necessary documentation.
It's important to contact the insurer before making independent arrangements, as some policies require the insurer to approve the services being used.
If there is no insurance, or the policy does not provide cover, we can talk you through the options for arranging repatriation privately.
Not sure whether there is insurance?
It may be worth checking with the person's bank, credit card provider, travel agent, tour operator or employer, as cover is sometimes provided through these organisations.
Information That May Be Helpful
- Your loved one's full name and date of birth
- The country and location where they died
- The date and circumstances of their death
- Where they are currently being cared for overseas
- Travel insurance details, if available
- Contact details for any overseas hospital, funeral director or authority already involved
- The name and contact details of the next of kin
Don't worry if you don't have all this information yet.
We can begin by discussing what you already know and work through the outstanding details together.
How It Works
The Repatriation Process
Every country has its own procedures, but bringing someone home will generally involve the following stages.
Overseas Arrangements
The local authorities must complete any required procedures relating to the death. This may include medical certification, registration, police enquiries or a post-mortem examination, depending on the circumstances.
Preparing for the Journey
An overseas funeral director will usually arrange the care and preparation of your loved one, together with the appropriate coffin and documentation required for international transport.
Returning to the UK
Once permission has been granted for your loved one to leave the country, the international transportation can be arranged. This will usually involve air transport, although arrangements depend on the country concerned.
Coming Into Our Care
We'll coordinate the arrangements for your loved one to come into our care when they return to the UK, subject to any necessary formalities. We can then continue with the funeral arrangements you have chosen.
How long will repatriation take? There is no fixed timescale. Much depends on the country, the circumstances of the death, the documents required and when the overseas authorities release your loved one. We'll keep you informed as the arrangements progress.
The Practical Details
Documentation and Overseas Authorities
One of the more complicated aspects of repatriation can be arranging the necessary paperwork.
A death must be registered with the appropriate authorities in the country where it occurred.
The documentation needed to bring someone back to the UK will vary, but often includes proof of death, permission for the deceased to leave the country and transport documentation.
The British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate may be able to offer information about local procedures and suitable service providers.
We'll explain which documents are required for your circumstances and work with the overseas professionals involved in obtaining the necessary approvals.
Documents That May Be Required
- An overseas death certificate
- An official English translation of the death certificate
- The deceased person's passport or identification
- Authorisation from the overseas authorities to transport the body
- Medical, embalming or coffin certificates where required
- Airline and transportation documentation
- Any further paperwork required by the relevant authorities
The requirements differ from country to country. Not every document listed will necessarily apply to your situation.
Back on Home Soil
When Your Loved One Returns Home
Once your loved one has returned to the UK, there may be further formalities before the funeral can take place.
We'll explain what's required and help you through the next stages.
Coming Into Our Care
We'll arrange for your loved one to come into our care once the necessary arrangements have been completed.
UK Paperwork
The overseas death certificate and other documents will need to be reviewed. Depending on the circumstances, the registrar or coroner may need to be involved before the funeral can proceed.
Arranging the Funeral
We can discuss burial or cremation, the location of the funeral, personal wishes and all the other arrangements, just as we would with any funeral taking place locally.
A further examination may sometimes be necessary. If the circumstances of the death require an investigation in England or Wales, the coroner may become involved after repatriation. We'll explain what this means if it applies to your family.
Common Questions
Things Families Often Ask Us
Repatriation is unfamiliar to most people, so it's understandable to have plenty of questions.
Do I Need to Travel Abroad?
Not necessarily. In many cases, arrangements can be coordinated between the family, insurer, overseas funeral director and ourselves. We'll explain if your involvement is needed for anything specific.
Does the British Consulate Arrange Repatriation?
The British consular services can provide advice about local procedures and possible contacts. They do not normally arrange or pay for repatriation themselves. This is generally handled by an insurer or an appointed funeral director.
Will the Death Need to Be Registered Again in the UK?
The death must be registered overseas, where it occurred. It does not normally need registering again as a UK death. However, additional paperwork is required before a burial or cremation takes place here.
Can We Make Funeral Arrangements Before Repatriation?
Yes. We can begin discussing the funeral while repatriation is taking place. However, it is usually sensible to wait until the return journey and any required formalities are confirmed before fixing a final funeral date.
Further Information
Official Government Guidance
As procedures differ around the world, the UK Government provides guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad, including advice for individual countries.
These resources can be useful alongside the personal guidance we'll provide.
We're Here to Help
Let Us Help You Bring Your Loved One Home
If someone close to you has died overseas, please don't feel you need to work everything out on your own.
Call us and tell us what's happened. We'll listen, explain the next steps and help you understand the arrangements involved in bringing your loved one back to the UK.
Once they're home, we'll continue to support you with their funeral arrangements.