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 in Kenya, the flight routing from Nairobi, and local funeral-director and mortuary fees. 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.
Bringing a loved one home from Kenya is a long-haul journey in both distance and paperwork, but it is a settled route we handle regularly for the Kenyan community in the UK. A death in Kenya brings together the registration of the death, the documents needed for a long-haul flight, the recognition of the Kenyan paperwork in the UK, and the receiving arrangements at home. We coordinate all of it — with the funeral director in Kenya and the airline — 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.
Kenya's death certificate is issued in English and shows the cause of death, so no translation is needed for the UK. Where a document has to be formally recognised, it is legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kenya High Commission.
The death is registered with the Civil Registration Office, often through a local Huduma Centre, which issues the Kenyan death certificate in English showing the cause of death — it is worth obtaining extra copies. A funeral director in Kenya usually handles the registration, the preparation and the repatriation documentation. Where a death occurred outside a hospital, the local police or authorities are notified and may need to complete enquiries before the deceased can be released.
The deceased travels with the Kenyan death certificate, the repatriation documentation arranged by the funeral director, and the deceased's passport or identity document, together with embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates. The funeral director 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 certificates confirming the preparation and freedom from infection. The journey is made by air as cargo on a scheduled flight from Nairobi to a UK airport. Our team works with the Kenyan 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 Kenyan 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 Kenya typically takes 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the death certificate and repatriation documentation are issued, the embalming and preparation are completed, and a suitable flight from Nairobi is available. Where the police or local authorities are involved in a sudden death, 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 in Kenya, the flight routing from Nairobi, and local funeral-director and mortuary fees. 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. A UK estate, travel insurance or a life-insurance policy may cover part of the cost, and we are happy to talk this through.
We manage the Kenyan formalities, the recognition of the documents, 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 Kenyan 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 the Kenyan death certificate (in English, showing the cause of death), the repatriation documentation arranged by the funeral director, and the deceased's passport or identity document, together with embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates.
The Kenyan certificate is in English, so no translation is needed. Where a document must be formally recognised, it is legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Kenya High Commission. We obtain everything on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact.
The timing depends on how quickly the death certificate and repatriation documentation are issued, the embalming and preparation are completed, and a suitable flight from Nairobi is available. Where the police or local authorities are involved in a sudden death, release can take longer.
No. We coordinate directly with the funeral director in Kenya, the Civil Registration Office and the airline, so the family does not need to travel or deal with offices there.
The process is arranged remotely on the basis of a simple written authorisation.
Yes. Many of the families we help are part of the Kenyan community in Britain and bring their loved one home to the UK for the funeral. A burial can generally proceed on the Kenyan death certificate; a cremation in England and Wales needs the coroner's authority first.
We understand that a prompt burial carries real weight for many families, and we keep the process moving as fast as the formalities allow.
We confirm a firm, all-in quote at first contact, with no hidden costs. It covers the Kenyan documentation, embalming and a sealed coffin, the flight from Nairobi 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.
