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When a loved one dies far from home, the practical steps that follow can feel overwhelming. Alongside grief, families must understand legal requirements, gather documents, and coordinate with multiple authorities — often across language barriers and international borders.
This guide walks you through the repatriation process step by step, so you know what to expect and what to do first.
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At a glance
What it covers
The step-by-step process of repatriating a loved one who has died in the UK — from death certificate to mortuary passport.
Who handles it
A specialist repatriation agency coordinates the process, supported by the local Register Office, the coroner, and the relevant embassy.
Typical timeline
In cases of natural death, repatriation to Europe typically takes 5–7 days. Cases involving the coroner or police will take longer.
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Step 1: When Death Occurs in a Hospital
If the death occurred in a hospital, the attending doctor issues the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This document is sent directly to the local Register Office, where the family can officially register the death. There is a fee of around £11 per certified copy, and you can request as many copies as needed.
The hospital's Bereavement Office will notify the family when the MCCD is ready and confirm the cause of death. In cases of sudden death, the coroner will take over the investigation and issue the official cause of death once their enquiries are complete.
Step 2: When Death Occurs at Home
If the death was due to natural causes, contact the deceased's GP. The GP will attend to certify the death and issue the MCCD.
If the death was sudden or unexplained, contact the police. They will investigate and, once the cause of death has been determined, the coroner's office will issue its documentation.
Step 3: Registering the Death and Obtaining the Death Certificate
Once the MCCD has been issued, you need to register the death at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. To prepare, make sure you have:
- The MCCD (sent to the Register Office by the hospital or GP).
- Identification for the person registering the death.
- The deceased's identification document (copy or original).
- Additional information: address, date of birth, marital status, occupation.
You can make an appointment online or by phone. Each certified copy of the death certificate costs approximately £11. Request several copies — you will need them for banks, pension providers, insurers, and the repatriation process itself.
You can also read our guide on the MCCD and death certificate for a fuller explanation of this stage.
Step 4: The Mortuary Passport
For the repatriation process, you will need a mortuary passport — also called a laissez-passer mortuaire — obtained from the representative embassy of the deceased's home country.
The documents typically required to obtain a mortuary passport in England include:
- Copy of the deceased's ID or passport.
- Copy of the requester's ID or passport.
- Apostilled death certificate or interim death certificate.
- Signed authorisation from a family member for the repatriation company.
- Copy of the embalming certificate.
- Copy of a "free from infection" document issued by a medical professional.
- Declaration from the funeral company confirming coffin closure.
- Burial location certificate or lease contract.
- Form 104 (Out of England) — confirmation from the coroner authorising transport of the deceased out of the UK.
Requirements can vary by destination country. Always confirm the exact list with the relevant embassy as early as possible.
Step 5: How Long Does the Process Take?
For a natural death with no complications, repatriation to a European country should take no more than 5–7 days. Where the cause of death is unknown and requires police or coroner investigation, the timeline depends on how long the investigation takes. Engaging a specialist repatriation agency early will help keep things moving as efficiently as possible.
Step 6: When to Contact a Repatriation Agency
Our recommendation is to contact a specialist funeral agency as soon as you learn that a death has occurred outside the country. A specialist agency provides legal guidance, language support, and handles all necessary procedures — including the transportation of the deceased. This allows the family to focus on what matters most.
For more detail on the options available, you may also find our guides on bringing a loved one home from the UK and repatriation by road helpful.
If the death of a loved one occurred outside the country and you need a funeral director to arrange the full repatriation process, contact us at info@funero.co.uk or call (+44) 020 455 927. Find out more about our services at funero.co.uk/funeral-services-uk/repatriations.
