A dignified, fully-managed repatriation from 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 destination city in Australia and airline freight charges; we confirm a firm quote at first contact. The base covers transport to the destination airport; customs clearance and onward delivery are quoted separately, where available.
*Estimated from when the death is registered. Our team does everything possible to complete the repatriation sooner.
When someone dies in the UK and is to be returned to Australia for the funeral, the journey is one of the longest we arrange — roughly 17,000 km from London, so the deceased travels by air on a long-haul service to the nearest suitable Australian airport. With generations of British-Australian families settled on both sides of the world, it is a route we know well. The process brings together the UK coroner's formalities, the legalisation of the UK documents, Australia's entry and biosecurity requirements, and the flight itself. We manage the full journey and the paperwork on both sides so the family in Australia does not have to deal with UK offices or consulates. Our repatriation hub sets out the essentials if you are just starting.
Australia is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so the UK documents that accompany the deceased are legalised with an apostille rather than a longer consular chain. Both countries issue their documents in English, so no translation is needed.
Before a deceased person can be taken out of England and Wales, the law requires that the coroner for the district be given at least four clear days' notice (the Removal of Bodies Regulations 1954). The coroner then issues an acknowledgement — the "out of England" notice — confirming there is no objection to removal, and can release the deceased sooner where satisfied that no further enquiries are needed. We complete this notification and obtain the acknowledgement on the family's behalf. In Scotland the equivalent authority is the procurator fiscal; in Northern Ireland, the coroner.
Bringing human remains into Australia is governed by the Australian border and biosecurity requirements, and the coffin is declared and may be inspected on entry. In practice a receiving local undertaker in the destination state or territory must be engaged, and airlines will generally accept the coffin as cargo only when a funeral director is handling it at both ends; that firm completes the clearance on arrival and registers the death with the state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages where required. We coordinate with the receiving undertaker so that entry is arranged before the flight.
The deceased is embalmed to international transport standard, with a freedom-from-infection certificate issued, and placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin prepared for air freight and for entry into Australia. Our team collects your loved one from the UK hospital, mortuary or funeral home, books the coffin as documented air cargo on a long-haul flight to the destination city, and manages the handover to the receiving undertaker.
A repatriation from the UK to Australia typically takes 5–7 days from first contact, the deceased travelling roughly 17,000 km by air. The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the apostille turnaround, and flight availability to the destination city. Where the death has been referred to the coroner for investigation, the timeline can be 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 destination city in Australia, airline freight charges, and any UK funeral-home and mortuary fees. 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, a life-insurance policy or the deceased's own arrangements may cover part of the cost, and we are glad to discuss this openly.
We handle the UK coroner's formalities, the legalisation, Australia's entry and biosecurity requirements and the flight as one coordinated process, keeping both sides of the family informed and remaining contactable 24/7. You can read more about repatriating a body from the UK in our guidance.
Last verified July 2026.
Common questions about repatriating someone who has died in the UK to their home country — the paperwork, timescales, costs, and who arranges each step.
Before removal, the coroner must be given at least four clear days' notice and issues an "out of England" acknowledgement. The UK death certificate is then legalised with an apostille, and the deceased travels with embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates in a sealed, transport-standard coffin prepared for entry into Australia.
We complete the coroner notification, arrange the apostille and coordinate the Australian entry requirements on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact, the deceased travelling roughly 17,000 km by air. The distance, the four clear days' notice to the coroner and the apostille turnaround all shape the timeline, along with flight availability to the destination city.
Where the death has been referred to the coroner for investigation, the timeline can be longer. We keep you updated at every stage.
Yes. Because both the UK and Australia are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, the UK death certificate is legalised with an apostille from the FCDO rather than a longer consular legalisation.
We arrange the apostille and the entry formalities so that the family does not deal with any office directly.
Bringing human remains into Australia is governed by the Australian border and biosecurity requirements, and the coffin is declared and may be inspected on arrival. In practice a receiving local undertaker must be engaged, as the remains are released only to a funeral director.
We prepare the coffin and documentation to that standard and coordinate with a receiving undertaker so that entry is arranged before the flight.
The quoted price covers the coroner notification, the apostille legalisation, embalming and a sealed transport coffin, the transport certificates, and air freight to the destination airport in Australia with handover to the receiving undertaker. 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.
