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 province and city of departure, the airport routing, and local funeral-establishment fees, which vary across the country. 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.
The Filipino community in the United Kingdom is one of the largest of any nationality — many working in the NHS and in social care, and a great number of Filipino seafarers crewing British and international ships — so this is a route we travel often. When a death occurs in the Philippines, bringing your loved one home draws together the Philippine formalities where the death occurred, the documents required for a long-haul flight, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. We coordinate all of it across the time difference, so the family does not have to deal with Philippine offices, funeral establishments or airlines directly. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
The Philippines is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so the death certificate and the supporting papers are legalised for use in the UK with an apostille rather than a longer consular chain.
A death is first certified by the municipal health officer, who issues the initial municipal death certificate, and it is then registered with the local civil registrar. The national record is held by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which issues certified copies of the death certificate once registration is complete. Before the remains can be shipped, the Bureau of Quarantine issues a quarantine permit confirming they present no public-health risk in transit, and a local transfer permit is obtained. A licensed funeral establishment embalms the deceased and places them in a hermetically sealed container suitable for international carriage.
The documents that travel with your loved one are the PSA-certified death certificate — with an official English translation if required — the embalming certificate, and the local transfer permit and Bureau of Quarantine permit. We assemble and check the full set, apostille included, before a flight is booked.
The deceased is embalmed and placed in a hermetically sealed container for the flight. Repatriation from the Philippines is by air, usually on a long-haul service from an international airport, with a domestic connection from the province where the death occurred where that is needed. Our team manages the collection, the airline documentation and the journey through to the receiving funeral director in the UK.
Once your loved one is in the UK, the family can arrange the funeral. For a burial, the foreign death certificate is generally sufficient. For a cremation, the coroner in England and Wales 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 our resource centre. We liaise with the coroner's office so this is in place without delay.
Many Filipino families are Roman Catholic and wish to hold a wake and Requiem Mass, while others prefer to proceed to burial without delay. We arrange the transport and reception to fit the funeral your family intends to hold.
A repatriation from the Philippines typically takes 5–7 days from first contact, over a distance of roughly 10,700 km. The timing depends on how quickly the local civil registrar and the PSA issue a certified death certificate, the Bureau of Quarantine permit and the apostille, the embalming and preparation, and the availability of a suitable long-haul flight. Where a death is sudden or unexplained and referred for examination, 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 province and city of departure, the airport routing, and local funeral-establishment fees, which vary across the country. 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 travel insurance may cover part of the cost — we are happy to talk this through openly.
We manage the Philippine formalities, the apostille and 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.
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 PSA-certified death certificate — with an official English translation if required — the embalming certificate, and the local transfer permit and Bureau of Quarantine permit. The certificate is legalised for the UK with an apostille.
We assemble and check the full set before a flight is booked, so nothing is missing on arrival.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact, over a distance of roughly 10,700 km. The timing depends on how quickly the local civil registrar and the PSA issue the certified death certificate, the Bureau of Quarantine permit and the apostille, the preparation, and the availability of a suitable long-haul flight.
Where a death is sudden or unexplained and referred for examination, release can take longer.
No. With such a large Filipino community settled in the UK, most families making this journey are here rather than there — so we coordinate directly with the Philippine funeral establishment, the local civil registrar, the PSA, the Bureau of Quarantine and the airline across the time difference.
The process is arranged remotely on the basis of a simple written authorisation, and we keep you informed at every stage.
Yes. A burial can generally proceed on the Philippine death certificate. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must first give authority using Cremation Form 6, once satisfied that no further investigation is needed (in Scotland, the procurator fiscal; in Northern Ireland, the coroner).
Many Filipino families are Roman Catholic and wish to hold a wake and Requiem Mass, while others prefer to bury without delay; we arrange the transport to suit the funeral you intend to hold.
The quoted price covers the Philippine documentation and apostille, the Bureau of Quarantine permit, embalming and a hermetically sealed container, air freight to a UK airport, 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.
