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 airport of departure and local funeral-home 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.
Jamaica and Britain share one of the deepest of all the Windrush ties. The Jamaican community is the largest of Caribbean heritage in the UK, and many families make the long journey to bring a loved one home from Montego Bay — or back to the UK to rest near the family now settled here. The process draws together the formalities of the Jamaican civil authorities, the documents an airline needs to carry the deceased, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. We coordinate the whole process from beginning to end, so the family does not have to deal with registrars or airlines in Jamaica directly. If you are just starting, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
Jamaica issues its civil documents in English, so no translation is needed for the UK, and Jamaica is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which keeps any legalisation of documents comparatively simple. The main considerations are the local registration, the preparation of the deceased for a long flight, and the transatlantic schedule of roughly 7,500 km from Sangster International Airport (MBJ).
A death in the Montego Bay area is recorded by the Registrar General's Department (RGD), or the Local District Registrar for the parish of St James where the death occurred, which registers it and issues the death certificate. An appointed funeral director then prepares the deceased and arranges the transfer. The core papers that accompany the deceased are the Jamaican death certificate from the local civil registry, a certificate of embalming, and a certificate giving permission to transfer the remains to the UK. Where a death is sudden, unexplained or violent, a local examination may be required before the deceased can be released, which can add time.
The deceased is embalmed to international transport standard and placed in a sealed transport coffin suitable for the funeral in the UK. Montego Bay is reached by air, and the deceased travels as documented air cargo on a scheduled service from Sangster International Airport to a UK airport. Our team works with the appointed funeral director in Montego Bay to complete the certificates, book the flight, and manage the airport formalities at both ends, through to the receiving funeral director in the UK.
Once the deceased is home, the family can arrange the funeral. For a burial, the Jamaican 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. HM Coroner may also be notified once the deceased is brought home. We liaise with the coroner's office so any authority needed is in place without delay.
A repatriation from Montego Bay typically takes 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the RGD issues the death certificate, the embalming and preparation, any legalisation of documents, and the availability of a suitable transatlantic flight. Where a sudden death leads to a local examination before release, the process 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 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. The figure depends on the airport of departure and local funeral-home fees. A UK estate, travel insurance or a life-insurance policy may cover part of the cost, and some Jamaican church and community funds also help — we are glad to talk this through openly. Many families choose to hold the funeral unhurried, once relatives from across the diaspora can gather, and the process allows for that.
We manage the Jamaican formalities, the airline logistics and the UK reception as one coordinated process, across the time difference, keeping the family informed at every stage and remaining contactable 24/7. For families whose roots are in Jamaica but whose lives are now in Britain, our aim is that the distance never adds to the distress of an already hard 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 Jamaican community is the largest of Caribbean heritage in Britain, with roots in the Windrush generation. Many families keep deep ties to the island, and bringing a loved one home to Jamaica — or back to the UK to rest near relatives settled here — is a long-held tradition, often marked by a large gathering of the wider community.
We handle this route regularly and understand how much these arrangements mean to Jamaican families on both sides of the Atlantic.
The deceased travels with the Jamaican death certificate from the local civil registry, a certificate of embalming, a certificate giving permission to transfer the remains to the UK, and a freedom-from-infection certificate.
Jamaican documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Where a UK authority requires it, the death certificate can be legalised with an apostille. We obtain everything on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the Registrar General's Department issues the death certificate, the embalming and preparation, any legalisation of documents, and the availability of a suitable transatlantic flight from Sangster International Airport.
Where a sudden death leads to a local examination before release, the process can take longer.
Jamaica is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so where a UK authority requires the death certificate to be formally recognised, it can be legalised with an apostille rather than through a longer consular process.
Because Jamaican documents are issued in English, no certified translation is needed. We advise whether legalisation applies to your circumstances and arrange it where it does.
The quoted price covers the Jamaican documentation, embalming, a sealed transport coffin suitable for the UK funeral, the certificate permitting transfer, any apostille, and the flight to the UK with 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.
