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 within Zambia and the airport routing. 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.
There is a well-established Zambian community across the United Kingdom, and when a death occurs in Zambia many families wish to bring their loved one home to Britain for the funeral. Over a distance of roughly 7,930 km, this brings together the death registration in Zambia, the certificates needed for international air transport, and the receiving arrangements in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We coordinate all three across the distance, so the family does not have to deal with Zambian offices or the airline directly. If you are at the very start of this, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.
The death is registered with the Office of the Registrar General (the Department of Births, Marriages and Deaths), which records it and issues the Zambian death certificate. A local funeral director takes the deceased into care and obtains the local authority and airline requirements on the family's behalf, carrying out the embalming for international transport and providing the embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates. Where a death is unnatural or suspicious, the police become involved and an examination may be required before the deceased can be released.
Once the formalities are complete, the deceased is embalmed and placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin, with the transport documents arranged by the funeral director, and flown from Zambia to a UK airport, where our team receives the deceased and hands over to your chosen funeral director. English is an official language of Zambia and the certificates are issued in English, so a separate translation is generally not needed. We check that every document is complete before a flight is booked, so there are no delays at the airport.
Once in the UK, the family can arrange the funeral. For a burial, the Zambian 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 when the deceased arrives.
A repatriation from Zambia typically takes 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK. The timing depends on how quickly the death is registered and the certificate collected, the embalming and preparation, and the availability of a suitable long-haul flight, usually via a connecting hub. Where the death was unnatural or suspicious and the police or an examination are involved, 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 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 final figure depends on the city of departure within Zambia, the airport routing, and local funeral-home fees. Families are often unaware that a UK-based estate, or a life-insurance or travel policy, may cover part of the cost — we are happy to talk this through openly.
We handle the Zambian formalities, the airline logistics and the UK reception as one coordinated process, keeping the family informed at every stage and remaining contactable 24/7. Our aim is that the distance between Zambia and home should never add avoidable delay or 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 deceased travels with the Zambian death certificate from the Office of the Registrar General, an embalming certificate and a freedom-from-infection certificate, along with the transport documents arranged by the funeral director.
English is an official language of Zambia and the certificates are issued in English, so a separate translation is generally not needed. We obtain everything on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact to arrival in the UK. The timing depends on how quickly the death is registered and the certificate collected, the embalming and preparation, and the availability of a suitable long-haul flight.
Where the death was unnatural or suspicious and the police or an examination are involved, release can take longer.
No. Many Zambian families settled in the UK cannot travel back at short notice, so we coordinate directly with the Office of the Registrar General, the local funeral director and the airline across the distance.
The process is arranged remotely on the basis of a simple written authorisation, and we remain contactable 24/7 throughout.
Yes. A burial can generally proceed on the Zambian 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).
We liaise with the coroner's office so this authority is ready when the deceased arrives.
The quoted price covers the Zambian documentation, embalming, a transport coffin suitable for the UK funeral, the air transport 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.
