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 of departure, the airport routing and local charges, which vary across Pakistan. 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.
Bringing a loved one home from Pakistan is a long-haul journey in both distance and paperwork, but it is a well-trodden route for Britain's large Pakistani community. It brings together the death registration in the district where the person died, the clearances needed to fly the deceased out of Pakistan, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. We coordinate directly with the hospital, the local authority and the airline across the time difference, so the family does not have to contact offices in Pakistan or travel there. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
Pakistan lies far from the UK and is outside any shared European framework, so there is no multilingual death certificate. The death is registered locally and the Pakistani documents are then prepared for use in the UK. We understand that many families wish to proceed quickly, in keeping with Islamic tradition, and we treat the arrangements with that urgency and care.
The hospital or forensic doctors confirm the death and its cause, and where a death is sudden or unexplained a post-mortem may be required and the local police become involved. The local government authority — a Union Council, Municipal Committee or Metropolitan Corporation — registers the death and issues the official death certificate. The British High Commission confirms whether a No Objection Certificate is required for the repatriation, and where one is not needed provides a letter confirming so. The body is embalmed before repatriation, and an embalming certificate is issued with a copy of the deceased's passport. Pakistan 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, 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 Pakistan, manages the routing from the nearest international airport, and coordinates the journey through to the receiving funeral director in the UK.
On arrival in the UK, the family can arrange the funeral. For a burial, the Pakistani death certificate is generally sufficient. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must give authority first — 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 prompt burial is planned, in keeping with Islamic tradition, we prioritise the arrangements — a burial does not need to wait on the coroner's authority.
A repatriation from Pakistan typically takes 5–7 days from first contact. The timing depends on how quickly the local authority issues the death certificate, the apostille, any police or post-mortem requirements, and the availability of a suitable flight from Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. Where the death is sudden or under investigation, 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 confirm a firm quote at first contact, with no hidden costs. The final figure depends on the city of departure, the airport routing and local charges, which vary across Pakistan. 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 some community or welfare funds also assist — we are happy to talk this through.
We manage the Pakistani formalities, the legalisation, the airline logistics and the UK reception as one coordinated process, mindful of the wish for a timely burial, keeping the family informed at every stage and remaining contactable 24/7.
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 official Pakistani death certificate (apostilled for use in the UK), an embalming certificate — the body is embalmed before repatriation — a copy of the deceased's passport, and a freedom from infection certificate. Either a No Objection Certificate to repatriate is obtained, or a British High Commission letter confirming one is not required.
Where a document is not in English we arrange a certified translation. We obtain everything on your behalf.
Yes. Pakistan is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so its death certificate and other public documents can be apostilled for use in the UK rather than passing through a longer legalisation chain.
Where any document is issued in Urdu only, we arrange a certified English translation so it is accepted in the UK.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact. This mainly reflects the distance — roughly 6,000 km — and the legalisation of the documents.
The timing depends on how quickly the local authority issues the death certificate, the apostille, any police or post-mortem requirements, and the availability of a suitable flight from Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi. Where a death is sudden or under investigation, release can take longer.
Yes. A burial can generally proceed on the Pakistani death certificate, and we prioritise the arrangements where a prompt burial is wished, in keeping with Islamic tradition — a burial does not need to wait on the coroner's authority.
For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must first give authority using Cremation Form 6 (in Scotland, the procurator fiscal). We liaise with the coroner's office so any authority needed is ready when the deceased arrives.
The quoted price covers the Pakistani 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.
