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 of departure, the cause of death and local registry 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.
Slovakia is a route we handle regularly, whether a death occurs while someone is living or working in Bratislava, Košice or the surrounding regions, visiting family, or travelling through Central Europe. Bringing your loved one home to the UK brings together the Slovak authorities, the receiving arrangements in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and the transport itself. We coordinate all three, so the family does not have to travel to Slovakia or deal directly with Slovak offices in a language they may not speak. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
Because Slovakia is a member of the European Union, the paperwork is comparatively predictable. The Slovak death certificate (úmrtný list) is available in an international multilingual version (medzinárodný viacjazyčný úmrtný list), which the receiving funeral director and registrar in the UK can generally read without a separate translation. That version is a convenience for reading the certificate; it does not remove any requirement to legalise a document where a UK authority asks for it, and as a Hague member Slovakia can issue an apostille in that event. As Slovakia is landlocked, the deceased travels home by air freight.
A doctor first examines the deceased and completes the medical certificate of cause of death. The death is then registered at the local registry office (matričný úrad) for the district where it occurred, which issues the official death certificate (úmrtný list). For carriage abroad, permission for the international transport of the body — the transport authorisation — must be obtained, and the international funeral director assembles this together with the supporting documentation. Where a death is sudden, unexplained or violent, a post-mortem or a forensic autopsy may be ordered before the deceased can be released. We arrange all of this on the family's behalf while the deceased is prepared.
The deceased is embalmed by a Slovak funeral home and placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin suitable for international carriage by air. Because Slovakia has no coastline, roughly 1,300 km away, the journey home is by air freight to a UK airport, usually routed through Bratislava or the nearby hub at Vienna, close to the western border. Our team collects the deceased from the funeral home or hospital and manages 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 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 England in our resource centre. We liaise with the coroner's office so this is in place without delay.
A repatriation from Slovakia typically takes 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK, over a distance of roughly 1,300 km by air. The timing depends on the district of departure, how quickly the matričný úrad issues the úmrtný list and the transport permission is obtained, and the circumstances of the death: where a post-mortem or forensic autopsy is ordered, release can take several days 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 of departure, the cause of death, and local funeral-home and registry fees. Families are often unaware that a UK-based estate or insurance policy, or travel insurance held by the deceased, may cover part of the cost — we are happy to talk this through openly.
We handle the entire administrative and logistical process in Slovak and in English, keep the family informed at every stage, and are contactable 24/7. Our aim is that the distance between Slovakia and home should never translate into lost days or added distress at the worst possible 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 core documents are the úmrtný list from the matričný úrad, the medical certificate of cause of death, the permission for the international transport of the body (the transport authorisation), and embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates.
Where a cremation is planned in England and Wales, the coroner must also authorise it (Cremation Form 6). We obtain all of the Slovak documents on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK, over a distance of roughly 1,300 km by air.
The timing depends on the district of departure, how quickly the matričný úrad issues the úmrtný list and the transport permission is obtained. Where a post-mortem or forensic autopsy is ordered, release can take several days longer.
Yes. Slovakia issues the úmrtný list in an international multilingual version (medzinárodný viacjazyčný úmrtný list), which the receiving funeral director and registrar in the UK can generally read without a separate translation.
That version is a convenience for reading the certificate; it does not remove any requirement to legalise a document where a UK authority asks for it. As a Hague member, Slovakia can issue an apostille in that event, and we arrange it if it is needed.
Yes. A burial can usually proceed on the foreign death certificate alone. 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).
We liaise with the coroner's office so this authority is in place when the deceased arrives.
Slovakia is landlocked, and for a journey of roughly 1,300 km air freight is both the fastest and the most dignified option. The deceased is usually routed through Bratislava or the nearby airport at Vienna, close to the western border.
We manage the entire journey, from collection at the Slovak funeral home through to handover to your chosen funeral director in the UK.
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.
