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 region of Ghana, the mortuary and local fees, and the flight routing from Accra. We confirm a firm quote at first contact, with no hidden costs.
*Estimated from when the death is registered. Our team does everything possible to complete the repatriation sooner.
There is a large and long-established Ghanaian community in the UK, and bringing a loved one home is a route we handle regularly. A death in Ghana brings together the registration of the death, the export licence needed to release the deceased, the preparation for a long-haul flight, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. We coordinate all of it directly with the registry, the funeral director and the authorities in Ghana, so the family does not have to travel or deal with offices there. Our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms if you are just starting.
Ghana is an English-speaking country and its official documents are issued in English, so a translation is not normally needed for the UK. Where a document has to be formally recognised, it is legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Ghana High Commission.
The death is registered with the local Births and Deaths Registry, which issues the Ghanaian death certificate — it is worth obtaining extra certified copies, as several parties will need one. A funeral director in Ghana usually handles the registration and arranges the export licence for the remains along with the rest of the repatriation paperwork. Where a death occurred outside a hospital, a government pathologist or the police may carry out a post-mortem first, and a post-mortem report then forms part of the file.
The deceased travels with the certified Ghanaian death certificate, the export licence for the remains, the deceased's passport, and — where the death occurred outside a hospital — the post-mortem report. The funeral director prepares the deceased and arranges the embalming and coffin that a long-haul flight requires.
For international carriage the deceased is embalmed and placed in a sealed coffin, with a certificate confirming the preparation. The journey is made by air as cargo on a scheduled flight from Accra to a UK airport. Our team works with the Ghanaian funeral director to collect the deceased, complete the airline documentation, and manage 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 Ghanaian death certificate is generally sufficient. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must give authority first — this is 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 when the deceased arrives.
A repatriation from Ghana typically takes 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the Births and Deaths Registry issues the certificate, the export licence is granted, the embalming and preparation are completed, and a suitable long-haul flight from Accra is available. Where a sudden death involves the police or a government pathologist, 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 region of Ghana, the mortuary and local fees, and the flight routing from Accra. The agreed price is settled once the flight is confirmed, with no deposit or advance required, before your loved one departs; we then stay with you through arrival, the final paperwork and registering the death. Families are often unaware that a UK estate, a life-insurance policy or a community or church fund may cover part of the cost, and we are glad to talk this through openly.
We manage the Ghanaian formalities, the export licence, the airline logistics and the UK reception as one coordinated process, keeping the family informed at every stage and remaining contactable 24/7. Many of the families we help are part of the Ghanaian community here, and we understand how much it matters that a loved one is brought home with dignity.
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 deceased travels with a certified Ghanaian death certificate, an export licence for the remains, the deceased's passport, and — where the death occurred outside a hospital — a post-mortem report, together with embalming confirmation and a sealed coffin.
Ghana's documents are issued in English, so a translation is not normally needed for the UK. We obtain everything on your behalf and, where a document must be formally recognised, have it legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Ghana High Commission.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact.
The timing depends on how quickly the Births and Deaths Registry issues the certificate, the export licence is granted, the preparation is completed, and a suitable long-haul flight from Accra is available. Where a sudden death involves the police or a government pathologist, release can take longer.
No. We coordinate directly with the Births and Deaths Registry, the funeral director and the authorities in Ghana, so the family does not need to travel or deal with offices in Accra or Kumasi.
The process is arranged remotely on the basis of a simple written authorisation.
Yes. Many of the families we help are part of the Ghanaian community in Britain and bring their loved one home to the UK for the funeral. A burial can generally proceed on the Ghanaian death certificate; a cremation in England and Wales needs the coroner's authority first.
Where the family wishes to hold the funeral quickly, in keeping with religious practice, we prioritise the arrangements and keep you informed at every stage.
We confirm a firm, all-in quote at first contact, with no hidden costs. It covers the Ghanaian documentation and export licence, embalming and a sealed coffin, the flight to the UK and handover to your funeral director.
The agreed price is settled once the flight is confirmed, with no deposit or advance required, before your loved one departs; we then stay with you through arrival, the final paperwork and registering the death.
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.
