A dignified, fully-managed repatriation to the United Kingdom. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with the authorities in both countries, and bring your loved one home with care.
The final price depends on the point of departure within Finland, the cause of death and local administrative fees. We confirm a firm quote at first contact.
*Estimated from when the death is registered. Our team does everything possible to complete the repatriation sooner.
Finland is one of the longer European routes home, with the deceased travelling by air over roughly 1,820 kilometres from Helsinki to the United Kingdom. Deaths of British nationals in Finland are less frequent than in southern Europe, but they do happen — among business travellers, people with family ties, and visitors to Lapland and the northern winter. When a death occurs in Finland, bringing your loved one home brings together the Finnish authorities, the receiving arrangements in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and the flight itself. We coordinate all three, so the family does not have to travel to Finland or deal directly with Finnish offices. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
Because Finland is a member of the European Union, the formalities are comparatively predictable. Before the deceased can be moved for the funeral, a burial permit — the hautauslupa — must be in place; it is the precondition for transport. For use in the United Kingdom, the Finnish death certificate is legalised with an apostille.
A physician or health-care establishment first certifies the cause of death and issues the medical certificate of death, the kuolintodistus. Before the deceased may be moved for burial, cremation or transport abroad, the burial permit — the hautauslupa — must be issued; this permit is the precondition for the journey.
The death is registered with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), which maintains the population record and issues certified copies of the death certificate used abroad. The funeral home handling the removal then arranges the body-transport permit that accompanies the coffin. We obtain these documents on the family's behalf while the deceased is prepared for the journey.
The deceased is embalmed and placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin, as required for international carriage by air. The body-transport permit accompanies the coffin, together with the apostilled death certificate, and the deceased travels by air freight — usually from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport — to a UK airport. Our team collects the deceased from the Finnish funeral home or hospital and manages the journey through to the receiving funeral director in the UK.
Once in the UK, the family can arrange the funeral. For a burial, the apostilled Finnish death certificate is generally sufficient. For a cremation, the coroner in England and Wales must give authority first — this is the Cremation Form 6, issued once the coroner is satisfied there is no need for further investigation (in Scotland this role falls to the procurator fiscal; in Northern Ireland, the coroner). You can read more about the coroner's role in England in our resource centre. We liaise with the coroner's office so this is in place without delay.
A repatriation from Finland typically takes 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK, reflecting the distance and the air-freight schedule from Helsinki. As an EU member state, Finland's documentation is predictable, with the death certificate legalised by apostille. The timing depends on when the hautauslupa is issued, the registration with the DVV, and the circumstances of the death: where the cause of death is referred for further examination, release can take longer.
This estimate is counted from when the death is registered, and our team does everything possible to complete the repatriation sooner.
We quote a firm price for the services included at first contact, with no hidden costs. The final figure depends on the point of departure within Finland, the cause of death, and local funeral-home and administrative fees. Families are often unaware that a UK-based estate or insurance policy, or travel insurance held by the deceased, may cover part of the cost — we are happy to talk this through openly.
We handle the entire administrative and logistical process, dealing with the Finnish authorities directly and keeping the family informed at every stage in plain English. We are contactable 24/7. Our aim is that the distance between Finland and home should never translate into lost days or added distress at the worst possible time.
Last verified July 2026.
Common questions about bringing someone who has died abroad home to the UK — the paperwork, timescales, costs, and who arranges each step.
The core documents are the kuolintodistus (the medical certificate of death), the hautauslupa (the burial or funeral permit, which is the precondition for transport), and the body-transport permit arranged by the funeral home, accompanied by a certified copy of the death certificate legalised with an apostille, together with embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates.
Where a cremation is planned in England and Wales, the coroner must also authorise it (Cremation Form 6). We obtain all of the Finnish documents on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK, reflecting the distance and the air-freight schedule from Helsinki. As an EU member state, Finland's paperwork is predictable, with the death certificate legalised by apostille.
The timing depends on when the hautauslupa is issued, the registration with the DVV, and the circumstances of the death. Where the cause of death is referred for further examination, release can take longer.
No. We deal directly with the physician or health-care establishment, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) and the funeral home handling the removal. The family does not need to travel to Finland or communicate with the Finnish authorities.
The whole process is arranged remotely on the basis of a simple written authorisation sent by email or WhatsApp.
The hautauslupa is Finland's burial or funeral permit. Before the deceased can be moved for burial, cremation or transport abroad, this permit must be issued — it is the precondition for the journey.
We make sure it is in place, alongside the body-transport permit that the funeral home arranges to accompany the coffin.
Yes. A burial can usually proceed on the apostilled Finnish death certificate alone. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must first give authority using Cremation Form 6, once satisfied that no further investigation is needed (in Scotland, the procurator fiscal).
We liaise with the coroner's office so this authority is in place when the deceased arrives.
When choosing, it was hard — we'd never done anything like this before. We definitely chose the right company; their whole ethos is built around caring. From start to finish, Sebastian and his team worked tirelessly for a smooth process and took all the stress away. Our family can't thank Funero enough.
I can't speak highly enough of Sebastian and the Funero team. I'll admit I was slightly worried about using them as they were far more competitive — but their service was impeccable, with regular, timely communication that was a huge comfort at a difficult time.
Funero truly stands out — caring staff, affordable prices and excellent communication. Their team goes above and beyond to make the process smooth and respectful, making a difficult time a little easier, and affordable without ever compromising on quality or care.
I'm from Sydney and lost my brother in London. I was lucky to find Funero to help with the repatriation. Sebastian was fast, helpful and available at all times — they made the whole process easy for me. Highly recommended!
Every colleague at Funero went over and above during the repatriation of our loved one, from the first moment to the end and beyond. They spared no effort to make it happen far sooner than usual, treated our loved one with outstanding respect, and their empathy made an unbearable time feel manageable. Your loved ones will be in the best of hands.
Considering the shock and our lack of knowledge, Sebastian and Mihai were absolutely amazing with their help and guidance. It was an emotionally draining time, but they are calm, polite, empathetic and warm — from practical advice to personal effort and so much patience. We can't thank them enough.
An exceptionally professional and compassionate team. During one of the most painful moments of my life they went above and beyond, offering genuine support and care. Thanks to their kindness and dedication, the burden of losing my mother was made a little easier. I am deeply grateful for their respect, empathy and humanity.
Our loved one died on holiday in Egypt and, as a family of modest means, what felt impossible was made possible. Funero was the only company that didn't ask for money upfront, which gave us time to fundraise — and their quote was more than reasonable. They kept us informed every step, translated everything, and their reps in Egypt worked so hard for us. We can't thank them enough for bringing our loved one home.
Speak to a repatriation specialist any time, day or night — we'll guide you through every step.
