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 airport in New Zealand and airline 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 New Zealand for the funeral, the journey is one of the longest we arrange — roughly 18,800 km from London, on the far side of the world — so the deceased travels by air on a long-haul routing that usually connects through Asia or the Middle East. With a large British-New Zealand population, it is a route we know well. The process brings together the UK coroner's formalities, the legalisation of the UK documents, and the entry requirements of the New Zealand authorities. We manage the full journey and the paperwork on both sides, across a twelve-hour time difference, so the family in New Zealand does not have to deal with UK offices in English or approach consulates directly. Our repatriation hub sets out the essentials if you are just starting.
New Zealand 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.
The entry of human remains into New Zealand is cleared at the border by the New Zealand Customs Service. In practice a receiving local funeral director must be engaged — airlines will generally accept the coffin as cargo only when a funeral director is handling it at both ends — and that firm completes the arrival formalities and takes your loved one on to the funeral. Registration with the Department of Internal Affairs (Births, Deaths & Marriages) is arranged where required. We coordinate with the receiving funeral director so that clearance is straightforward before the coffin lands.
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 New Zealand. 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 nearest suitable New Zealand airport, and manages the handover to the receiving funeral director.
A repatriation from the UK to New Zealand typically takes 5–7 days from first contact, the deceased travelling roughly 18,800 km by air. The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the apostille turnaround, and the routing of a suitable long-haul flight. 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 airport in New Zealand, airline 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 of the documents and the New Zealand entry requirements as one coordinated process across the time difference, keeping 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 deceased then travels with the UK death certificate, an apostille legalising it for New Zealand, embalming and freedom-from-infection certificates, in a sealed, transport-standard coffin.
We complete the coroner notification, arrange the apostille and prepare the file for New Zealand Customs on your behalf.
Typically 5–7 days from first contact, the deceased travelling roughly 18,800 km by air. This mainly reflects the distance, the long-haul flight availability, and the apostille turnaround. The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner and the routing of a suitable flight.
Where the death has been referred to the coroner for investigation, the timeline can be longer. We keep you updated at each stage.
Yes. Because both the UK and New Zealand are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, the UK documents are legalised with an apostille from the FCDO rather than a full consular legalisation. Both countries issue their documents in English, so no translation is needed.
We arrange the apostille, assemble the file and liaise with the funeral director in New Zealand, so the family does not deal with any office directly.
The entry of human remains is cleared at the border by the New Zealand Customs Service, and a receiving local funeral director must be engaged, as airlines generally accept the coffin only when a funeral director is handling it at both ends.
We prepare the coffin and documentation to that standard and coordinate with the receiving funeral director so that clearance on arrival is straightforward.
The quoted price covers the coroner notification, the apostille legalisation, embalming and a sealed transport coffin, the transport certificates, and long-haul air freight to New Zealand with handover to the receiving 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.
