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 city and region of departure, the airport routing, whether a police investigation is involved and local fees, which vary across India. We confirm a firm quote at first contact and the price is settled once the flight is confirmed, with no deposit or advance required, before departure.
*Estimated from when the death is registered. Our team does everything possible to complete the repatriation sooner.
India is one of our most frequent long-haul routes home. Britain has one of the largest Indian communities in the world, and many families keep close ties to relatives, property and their home region across India, so a death there is felt keenly on both sides. Bringing your loved one home brings together the death registration in India, the documents needed for international air transport, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. We coordinate all three across the time difference, so the family does not have to deal with Indian offices, hospitals or airlines directly, or travel to India. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
India lies a long way from the UK and is outside any shared European framework, so there is no multilingual death certificate. The death is registered under Indian law and the certificate is then legalised for use in the UK. Where a death is sudden or unexplained, the local police may become involved and a post-mortem may be required before the deceased can be released, and this is the single biggest factor in how long a repatriation from India takes.
The local registrar's office registers the death and issues the official death certificate. The hospital or attending doctors certify the medical cause of death, and for a non-natural death the local police are involved. Because your loved one is a British national, the British High Commission can confirm the appointed funeral director and cancels the deceased's passport. The body must be embalmed before repatriation, and an embalming certificate is issued for the flight. India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so its public documents — including the death certificate — can be apostilled for use in the UK rather than passing through a longer legalisation chain. We obtain and legalise the documents on the family's behalf, and arrange a certified English translation of anything not already issued in English.
Once the death is registered and the deceased embalmed, the body is placed in a sealed, transport-standard casket and carried as registered air cargo in the hold of a scheduled flight to a UK airport. Human remains cannot travel as passenger baggage. Our team completes the airline and cargo formalities in India, manages the routing from the nearest international airport, and coordinates 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 Indian death certificate is generally sufficient. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner 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. Where a family's faith calls for a swift funeral, we keep delays to a minimum and can prioritise a burial, which does not need to wait on the coroner's authority.
A repatriation from India typically takes 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the registrar issues the death certificate, the apostille and any translation, the embalming and preparation, and the availability of a suitable flight. Where the death was sudden and a police investigation or post-mortem is required, release can take considerably longer, and we keep the family informed at every stage.
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 city and region of departure, the airport routing, whether a police investigation is involved and local fees, which vary across India. 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, an insurance policy or the deceased's own arrangements may cover part of the cost — we are glad to talk this through openly.
We manage the Indian formalities, the legalisation, the airline logistics and the UK reception as one coordinated process, across the time difference, so the family does not have to make calls to Indian offices or travel abroad. We stay contactable 24/7 and keep you informed throughout, mindful of the wish for a timely funeral.
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 the Indian death certificate (apostilled for use in the UK), the medical cause-of-death certificate, an embalming certificate — the body must be embalmed before repatriation — and a freedom from infection certificate, together with the British High Commission letter confirming the funeral director and the deceased's passport.
Where there has been a police investigation, the relevant clearance is included, and where a document is not in English we arrange a certified translation. We obtain everything on your behalf.
Yes. India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so its public documents — including the death certificate — can be apostilled for use in the UK rather than passing through a longer legalisation chain.
Where a document is issued in a regional language rather than English, a certified English translation is also arranged. We manage the apostille and any translation.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact. This mainly reflects the distance — roughly 6,700 km — and the legalisation of documents.
The timing depends on how quickly the registrar issues the death certificate, the apostille and any translation, the embalming and preparation, and the availability of a suitable flight. Where the death was sudden and a police investigation or post-mortem is required, release can take longer.
We understand how important a prompt funeral is in Hindu and Muslim practice, and how many British Indian families hold to it. A long-haul repatriation, with embalming, legalisation and a flight, cannot match the speed of a local funeral, and we are always honest about that.
What we can do is move quickly on every step within our control, keep you informed, and once your loved one is home prioritise a burial — which does not need to wait on the coroner's authority — so the rites can be carried out with dignity.
The quoted price covers the Indian documentation and legalisation, embalming, a sealed transport casket, the transport certificates, air freight to the UK and handover to your funeral director. We confirm a firm quote at first contact with no hidden costs.
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.
