You can arrange a local burial or cremation in the country where the death occurred, you may wish to repatriate the body back to the UK for cremation or burial, or if someone dies here while away from home you may wish to move the body abroad to be buried or cremated.
For further information on any of these issues please contact us or a local funeral director.
- See Contact Us Bereavements Service Headquarters,
- Use the on-line Requests, Complaints and Compliments Form (see Related Links at the side of this page)
How can I hold a funeral abroad?
If you wish, you can arrange a local burial or cremation in the country where the death occurred. You can get advice from the British Consul who will also register the death and record it at the Register Office.
In the case of a cremation, the cremated remains can be repatriated to the UK following the cremation service.
If death occurs abroad, how do I move the deceased into England or Wales?
You may wish to repatriate the body back to the UK for cremation or burial. Though there are several firms who specialise in this, most Funeral Directors should be able to give advice on how to do this.
You will need the death certificate from the place where the person died, and an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country of death from the coroner or relevant authority.
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.
Once the body has been repatriated you will need the following:
- An authenticated translation of a foreign death certificate, or a death certificate issued in Scotland or Northern Ireland. This must show the cause of death;
- A certificate of no liability to register from the registrar in England and Wales in whose sub-district it is intended to bury or cremate the body. This certificate is not required if a coroner has issued a certificate for cremation (form E) or an order for burial.
As all deaths from abroad are now automatically referred to the coroner the normal forms (forms B and C or Home Office Licence) are no longer required. If the deaths occurred in Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands the local equivalents of forms B and C may be acceptable.
If death occurs in England or Wales, how do I move the deceased abroad?
If someone dies away from home, or away from the place in which they wish to be buried or cremated, or where the funeral will be held, the body will have to be moved.
There are special regulations concerning moving a body over the borders between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or abroad.
Only a coroner is authorised to permit the body to be moved out of England or Wales.
Notice to the coroner should be given at least 4 working days before the body is to be moved so that any necessary enquiries can be made.
Afterwards you will be given a removal notice (sometimes called 'form 104'), part of which is sent to the Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
This procedure applies to all cases where the body is to be moved out of England and Wales, not just when the death was reported to the coroner.
Cadaver certificates
Some countries require a Cadaver Certificate ('Free from Infection' certificate) before they will allow a body into the country for burial or cremation. Most airlines will also require some form of certification to confirm that the body is free from infection before they will transport the deceased remains. Your funeral director should check with the Consulate in the Country of repatriation to find out what their specific requirements are.
