Organising A Repatriation
Table of Contents
Documentation for Repatriation
What Documentation do you Require for Repatriation?
- Original Death Certificate: This is the most important document and allows us to start the repatriation process ( We keep the original but upon arrival to the final destination your chosen consignee should return this to you )
- Original Passport: This is a form of identification and is required for some paperwork to be processed and for the flight to take place.
- Consignee’s Details: To request a flight for your loved one we must have contact information for the person or company that would be collecting from your requested airport. We must have their full name, address, telephone number and email address.
What Paperwork will Udens Wordwide obtain for the repatriation?
- Out of England Certificate: This document is issued by the local coroner and gives permission for us to repatriate your loved one ( An original death certificate and in some circumstances a passport is required to obtain this document )
- Free From Infection Certificate: This is issued by the hospital / Pathologist or GP and is informing us that your loved one is safe for travel. ( If your loved one does have a communicable infection a repatriation can still take place but depending on circumstance can change some options available to you – Please ask our team if you have any further questions in this regard )
- Embalming Certificate: This document we create once your loved one has been embalmed. This is a legal requirement for any repatriation and also preserves your loved one for viewing purposes.
- Funeral Directors Declaration: This document we create once we are in the final stages of the repatriation.
When A Death Occurs
Below is a guide to show the steps to follow, in different circumstances, when you are faced with the death of a loved one.
If the death occurs at Home or in a Nursing or Care Home
- You or the medical staff should contact the GP connected with the care facility
- Request the GP visits and issues the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
- Contact Us, night or day to arrange to bring your loved one into our care
The GP will issue a formal notice that informs you of the procedures to follow when registering a death.
If the death occurs in a Hospital
It will normally be the role of The Hospital Bereavement Team to assist you and they will:
- Be in touch with the next of kin
- Arrange for the collection of any personal effects
- Arrange for the issue of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
- Care for your loved one until you have contacted us
- Facilitate the bringing of your loved one into our care
In addition, the hospital staff from the Bereavement Team will inform you of the procedure for registering the death.
When the death is unexpected or takes place at home
If a death occurs suddenly outside of a medical setting or the deceased has not been seen by a medical professional in approximately the last fourteen days:
- Dial 999 and request an ambulance and police immediately
- The Emergency Services will arrange for the deceased to be taken to a mortuary
- The death will be reported to a Coroner
- The Coroner may call for a post-mortem or an inquest and will keep you informed at each stage of the process.
- Only once the Coroner has completed their investigations, you can contact us to begin the funeral arrangements.
While the Coroner completes their investigations, you are welcome to contact us for any further help and assistance regarding any of our funeral packages and prices
Registering The Death
All deaths must be registered at the Registry Office within the district where the death occurred and within five working days of the death.
You should contact the Registry Office to make an appointment and we would advise you to do this as soon as possible. When you attend, please ensure that you take the ‘Medical Certificate Of Death’.
If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the bereavement officer will advise you how and when to register the death.
What The Registry Office will need to know the following about the deceased
- Full name
- Date and place of birth (you’ll need an original birth certificate if possible)
- Last known address
- Age
- Last occupation
- Whether they received a state pension or any other benefits
- Marital status (Bring Marriage Certificate where applicable)
- The age of the surviving Widow/ Widower
What The Registry Office will need to know the following about the person registering the death
- Full name
- Address
- Relationship to the deceased
Please ensure you bring proof of your name and address.
What The Registrar Will Give You
- A Death Certificate – there is a cost for a death certificate and this will vary depending on which borough the death occurred in. You also have the opportunity to buy additional copies.
- A Green Certificate: This gives authorisation for a burial or cremation to take place. This form is not issued if there has been a coroner’s post mortem or if the deceased is being repatriated. If one has been issued, please bring the Green Certificate to us as soon as possible.
- A Certificate of Registration of Death. This is for Social Security purposes.
Church Service in the UK
With our traditional repatriation package, we manage every detail needed to transport your loved one to their country of origin, and coordinate a church service here in the UK, alleviating as much stress as possible during this difficult time.
After our initial consultation and receipt of the necessary documents we will coordinate with your chosen church to arrange a suitable date for the funeral service and manage all aspects of the church ceremonies. On the day of the service, we will provide a funeral conductor, attendant bearers, and our pristine hearse. For an additional fee, we can also provide matching limousines to transport you from a designated address to the church and then to your final destination.
When organising a funeral service in the UK, you may wish to consider additional elements such as meeting with the officiant, selecting appropriate music, arranging floral tributes, opting for a horse and carriage, releasing doves, or preparing an order of service. For further details, please refer to our Personal Touches on our Funeral Website.
The Flight
Once your loved one has been placed in their protective covering (Airtray), they will be transported to the airport in our private ambulance. Please note that, as we will be entering a restricted area at the airport, family members will not be permitted to accompany us. A copy of all necessary documents will be provided to the airline team to ensure the flight proceeds smoothly.
Transportation of Cremated Remains
When transporting cremated remains internationally, we recommend carrying them as hand luggage. This method is the most cost-effective way to ensure your loved one’s cremated remains reach their final resting place.
For each cremation conducted in the UK, a certificate is issued by the crematorium. Additionally, an overseas certificate can be provided upon request. These two documents are typically sufficient for the transportation of cremated remains.
However, as regulations concerning human remains vary by country, we strongly advise consulting with an appropriate official to confirm whether any additional documentation or information is required before you travel.
Once Repatriated
When your loved one’s flight arrives, they will be taken through customs for clearance. Please note that in some destinations, there may be charges associated with this process; your consignee will have further details regarding these fees.
While customs clearance can take a few hours, we hope that your consignee will bring your loved one into their care as soon as possible.
Please be aware that all original documents, including the passport and death certificate, are securely attached to the Airtray (protective covering) and remain with your loved one throughout the entire transportation process. Your consignee should ensure the safe receipt of these documents and return them to you at an appropriate time.
