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 airline and cargo charges and the consular fees. 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 Lagos for the funeral, the journey brings together the UK coroner's formalities, the requirements of the Nigerian authorities, and a long-haul flight into Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS). We manage the full journey and the paperwork on both sides so the family — in the UK, in Lagos, or split between the two — does not have to approach foreign offices directly. Our repatriation hub sets out the essentials if you are just starting.
Nigeria is outside the European Union, so its own consular and import requirements set the standard for the documents that accompany the deceased. UK public documents are legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Nigeria High Commission so they are recognised on arrival in Lagos.
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 body 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.
The deceased travels embalmed and placed in a sealed metal casket, accompanied by the UK death certificate, the coroner's out-of-England acknowledgement, and confirmation of embalming and freedom from infection. At Murtala Muhammed International Airport a receiving funeral director takes the deceased into care and the death is recorded locally before the funeral in Lagos. We prepare the document file — including the legalisation described above — and coordinate directly with the funeral director in Lagos.
The deceased is embalmed to international transport standard and placed in a sealed metal casket suitable for air carriage. The consignment travels as cargo on a scheduled flight to Lagos. Our team collects the deceased from the UK hospital, mortuary or funeral home, books the airline cargo space, and manages the journey to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, coordinating with the receiving funeral director, who takes the deceased into their care for the funeral.
A repatriation from the UK to Lagos typically takes 5–7 days from first contact, the deceased travelling roughly 5,000 km by air. The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the time to have the documents legalised for recognition in Nigeria, and airline scheduling. 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 airline and cargo charges, the consular fees, 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, a church or community fund, 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 recognition of the documents in Nigeria and the airline transport as one coordinated process, keeping the family in the UK and in Lagos informed and remaining contactable 24/7. You can read more about repatriating a body from the UK in our guidance.
Last verified July 2026.
Repatriation to Lagos is coordinated with the Nigeria High Commission in London, which issues a Burial Transit Permit and letter of permission to ship — on certified copies of the death certificate — before the coffin is dispatched. We prepare and lodge the consular application on the family's behalf, so no one needs to attend the consulate in person.
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 deceased then travels with the UK death certificate, embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates, in a sealed metal casket.
The UK documents are legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Nigeria High Commission, with certified copies of the death certificate, so they are recognised on arrival in Lagos. We arrange all of this on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact. This mainly reflects the distance, the airline cargo scheduling into Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and the recognition of the UK documents in Nigeria.
The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the time to legalise the documents, and flight availability. A coroner's investigation can extend the timeline.
No. We prepare and lodge the consular application with the Nigeria High Commission in London, which issues the Burial Transit Permit and letter of permission to ship on certified copies of the death certificate.
We also liaise with the receiving funeral director in Lagos, so no one is left approaching the consulate at a difficult time.
We understand that Muslim and some Christian traditions call for burial as soon as possible, and that an international repatriation takes time. We move as quickly as the coroner's notice and the Nigerian documents allow.
We will advise you honestly on what is realistic so the family in Lagos can plan the reception and burial with confidence.
We confirm a firm, all-in quote at first contact, with no hidden costs. It covers the coroner notification, the legalisation and consular application, embalming, a sealed metal casket, the transport certificates, and airline transport to Lagos with handover to the receiving funeral director.
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.
