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Landscape in Iraq
“Reliable, professional, a reasonable price, and most important of all, my brother arrived exactly on time.”
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Our funeral ambulance on an airport apron, a plane behind it

By air, arranged end to end

Routes this far go by air. We book the flight, prepare the papers the airline asks for, and our partners receive your loved one at the other end.

Everything in the estimate

  • The paperwork at both ends
  • Collection
  • Hygienic treatment
  • A sealed coffin
  • Transport, by road or by air
  • One specialist, start to finish
A written quote on a desk

One price, in writing, before anything moves

Before anything is booked you have an itemised quote in writing, and nothing is added to it afterwards, so you can plan without surprises.

In the families’ own words

“We were so worried about the process of getting my mum safely back home to Slovakia, but every detail was handled with care, compassion and professionalism.”
Sofia BartkovaUK to Slovakia
“Our loved one died on holiday in Egypt and what felt impossible was made possible. They kept us informed every step, translated everything, and their reps in Egypt worked so hard for us.”
NatEgypt to UK
“Their pricing was competitive and the process was incredibly fast. What stood out most was the attentive and caring staff who spoke Italian fluently.”
GenovesiUK to Italy
Two of our team at the front desk of our office

One specialist, from the first call to the last

The same person holds your case, deals with the offices at both ends and tells you when each step is done, so you never have to explain it twice.

Rated excellent, 4.8 out of 5

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Repatriation to and from Iraq

£4,500

Estimated, all inclusive

Enquire now, no obligation
  • Usually 2 to 7 days
  • Agreed in writing
  • We answer any hour

  • Our fees, and one specialist from the first call to the last
  • Collection from the hospital or mortuary
  • Hygienic treatment, and care until your loved one travels
  • A sealed coffin that meets the route’s requirements
  • All the paperwork required
  • Transport by road in our own refrigerated funeral ambulances, or by air where the road is not possible

When your loved one needs an urgent collection, usually from a home: the estimate covers collection from a hospital or mortuary. Tell us where they are on the first call and the written quote includes it, with any of the costs specific to Iraq that apply.

The estimate for any country, in either direction, and what it covers.

Work out an estimate for another countryWork out an estimate for another country

How body repatriation works, step by step

Four steps between Iraq and the UK, and we do all of them. You hear from us at each one, not only at the end.

  1. The first call

    You tell us where your loved one is, in Iraq or in the UK. We tell you the cost and what happens next, at any hour.

  2. The paperwork

    The death certificate, the permit to travel and the papers the carrier needs. We obtain them in Iraq and here.

  3. Care and transport

    Hygienic treatment and a sealed coffin. Most routes travel by road in our own vehicles, by air only where the distance calls for it.

  4. Arrival

    By road, we drive on to the funeral director you have chosen, or to ours. By air, collection at the destination is an optional extra.

The papers we obtain for you

This is the set most routes need. Where a country asks for something else, we tell you before we quote, and we obtain that too.

  • Out of England permission

    From the coroner, when the death happened in England.

  • Free from infection certificate

    Confirms there is no infectious disease, for the carrier and the receiving country.

  • Funeral director’s declaration

    Our signed declaration for the transport.

  • Embalming certificate

    Where the route or the receiving country requires one.

  • Apostille

    Where the receiving country asks for one.

  • Translations

    Certified, where a document is not in the receiving country’s language.

Procedures change from time to time, so this list may lag behind them. We keep up with every change and confirm what your case needs on the first call.

What we need from you

  • The death certificate

    Or the coroner’s interim certificate, where there is an inquest.

  • Their passport

    Or a copy to begin with. We tell you if the original is needed.

  • Your permission for us to act

    A short form we send you to sign, so we can deal with the offices for your family.

What we need from you

  • Their passport, or a copy

    Whatever you have to hand. We tell you what else is needed.

  • Any papers you already hold from Iraq

    A death certificate or a hospital letter, if you have one. If not, we obtain it.

  • Your permission for us to act

    A short form we send you to sign, so we can deal with the offices for your family.

Repatriation between Iraq and the United Kingdom

The whole route in plain terms, in both directions, written for someone reading it for the first time.

Repatriation from Iraq to the United Kingdom

Bringing a loved one home from Iraq is a longer and more document-heavy route than a route within Europe, but it is one we manage from beginning to end. It brings together the formalities required in Iraq, the legalisation and translation of the Iraqi paperwork for use here, the requirements for international air transport, and the receiving arrangements in the UK. Our aim is that the family should not have to travel to Iraq or deal with Iraqi offices, mortuaries or the airline directly. If you are just starting, our repatriation hub explains the process in plain terms.

Because Iraq is not part of the European Union, there is no multilingual EU death certificate. The death is registered in Iraq and the certificate is issued in Arabic, so the documents are legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Iraqi embassy and accompanied by a certified English translation before they can be used here. We also recognise that many families wish to proceed quickly for religious reasons, and we work to move as swiftly as the formalities allow.

The process in Iraq

A death in Iraq is registered locally before anyone can be brought home. The local authorities register the death and issue the official Iraqi death certificate in Arabic; where a death is sudden, unexplained or the result of an accident, the matter is examined and the cause of death established before release. Your loved one is then prepared for transport, with hygienic treatment (embalming) and freedom from infection certificates, and formal permission is obtained to take your loved one out of the country. We arrange these steps, together with the legalisation and translation of the paperwork.

Preparation and transport

Your loved one receives hygienic treatment and is placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin, with certificates of hygienic treatment and freedom from infection issued for the flight. Because of the distance, the transport is made by air from Baghdad, Basra or Erbil to a UK airport. Our team collects your loved one, arranges the flight, with the documents accompanying them, and stays with them through to the receiving funeral director in the UK.

Bringing your loved one into the UK

Once in the UK, the family can arrange the funeral. A burial can generally proceed on the Iraqi death certificate once it has been legalised and translated. For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must first give authority using the Cremation Form 6, once satisfied that no further investigation is needed (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 your loved one arrives, and we are mindful that many Iraqi families follow burial customs that call for the funeral to take place without delay.

Timelines and what affects them

A repatriation from Iraq usually takes 2 to 7 days from first contact, your loved one travelling roughly 4,000 km by air. The timing depends on how quickly the death certificate is issued and legalised, whether a sudden death is referred for examination, the preparation of your loved one, and the availability of a suitable flight from Baghdad, Basra or Erbil. Where a death is sudden and referred for examination, 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.

Costs and financial support

We put a firm price in writing on the first call, and that is the figure on the invoice. The figure depends on the city of departure in Iraq, the airport routing and local charges, which vary. A UK estate, travel insurance or a life-insurance policy may cover part of the cost, and we help you check what the policy covers.

Authorities involved

  • Local Iraqi authorities: register the death and issue the official Iraqi death certificate.
  • Examining authorities: where a death is sudden, unexplained or the result of an accident, establish the cause of death before your loved one is released.
  • Iraqi embassy / consular channels: legalise the death certificate for use abroad.
  • Airline: carries your loved one by air, with the documents accompanying them, under international regulations.
  • UK coroner / procurator fiscal: where a cremation is planned in England and Wales, authorises it via Cremation Form 6 (in Scotland, the procurator fiscal; in Northern Ireland, the coroner).

Documents required

  • Iraqi death certificate: issued in Arabic by the local authorities.
  • Legalisation: of the certificate through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Iraqi embassy.
  • Certified English translation: of the death certificate and supporting documents.
  • Permission to remove your loved one from Iraq: the official authorisation to take your loved one out of the country.
  • Hygienic treatment certificate: confirming preparation to international transport standard.
  • Free from infection certificate: confirming no public-health risk in transit.
  • Coroner's authority (Cremation Form 6): only where a cremation is planned in England and Wales.

Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Iraq

When someone dies in the UK and is to be returned to Iraq for the funeral, the process brings together the UK coroner's formalities, the requirements of the Iraqi authorities, and the flight itself. Iraq lies roughly 4,000 km from the UK, so your loved one travels by air, usually to Baghdad, Basra or Erbil. We manage the transport and the paperwork on both sides so the family does not have to approach UK offices in English. Our repatriation hub sets out the essentials if you are at the start.

Taking a loved one out of England and Wales follows a set UK procedure; Iraq's own entry requirements then set the standard for the documents that accompany your loved one. Because Iraq is not part of the European Union, the UK death certificate must be legalised before Iraq will recognise it, and the consular formalities are handled on the family's behalf, the note alongside this page sets out what that involves.

Telling the coroner: taking a loved one out of England and Wales

Before a loved one 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 your loved one 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.

Arriving in Iraq: the receiving formalities

Your loved one travels in a sealed, transport-standard coffin, accompanied by the UK death certificate in legalised form and certificates of hygienic treatment (embalming) and freedom from infection. On arrival at Baghdad, Basra or Erbil, the receiving family or funeral director takes your loved one into their care and arranges the funeral in the home town or province. The consular formalities that Iraq requires before the coffin is dispatched are described in the note alongside this page, and we complete them on the family's behalf.

Preparation and transport

Your loved one receives hygienic treatment and is placed in a sealed, transport-standard coffin, with certificates of hygienic treatment and freedom from infection issued for the flight. Our team collects your loved one from the UK hospital, mortuary or funeral director, arranges the flight to the chosen Iraqi airport, and hands over to the receiving family or funeral director on arrival. Most funerals in Iraq follow Islamic practice, in which burial is expected as soon as possible; we work to move each stage forward quickly while being open that the coroner's notice, hygienic treatment and the consular formalities take time that cannot always be shortened.

Timelines and what affects them

A repatriation from the UK to Iraq usually takes 2 to 7 days from first contact, your loved one travelling roughly 4,000 km by air. The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the legalisation of the documents and the consular formalities that Iraq requires, and the availability of a suitable flight 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.

Costs and financial support

We put a firm price in writing on the first call, and that is the figure on the invoice. The figure depends on the destination city in Iraq, the airline and routing, and any UK funeral-home fees. A UK estate, a life-insurance policy or your loved one's own arrangements may cover part of the cost, and we help you check what the policy covers.

Authorities involved

  • UK coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland): must be given at least four clear days' notice before your loved one is taken out of England and Wales, and issues the "out of England" acknowledgement.
  • UK registrar: registers the death and issues the death certificate that, once legalised, accompanies your loved one.
  • Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: legalises the UK death certificate so it can be recognised abroad.
  • Iraqi Embassy in London (consular authorities): complete the consular formalities required before the coffin is dispatched (see the note above).
  • Embalmer / UK funeral director: carries out hygienic treatment to international transport standard and provides the sealed transport coffin.
  • Receiving family or funeral director in Iraq: receives your loved one at the destination airport and arranges the funeral.

Documents required

  • UK death certificate: issued by the registrar once the death is registered.
  • Coroner's "out of England" notice: the acknowledgement of removal, after at least four clear days' notice.
  • FCDO legalisation: the UK death certificate legalised so it is recognised in Iraq.
  • Consular formalities: completed by the Iraqi Embassy in London before dispatch (see the consular note).
  • Hygienic treatment certificate: confirming preparation to international transport standard.
  • Free from infection certificate: confirming no public-health risk in transit.
  • Sealed transport coffin: as required for international carriage to Iraq.

Questions families ask us about bringing someone home from Iraq

Your loved one travels with the Iraqi death certificate, its legalisation and a certified English translation, formal permission to remove your loved one from Iraq, and hygienic treatment and freedom from infection certificates.

Because the certificate is issued in Arabic, it is legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Iraqi embassy and translated before it can be used in the UK. We obtain and prepare everything on your behalf.

Usually 2 to 7 days from first contact, your loved one travelling roughly 4,000 km by air.

The timing depends on how quickly the death certificate is issued and legalised, whether a sudden death is referred for examination, the preparation of your loved one, and flight availability from Baghdad, Basra or Erbil.

The Iraqi death certificate is issued in Arabic, so it needs a certified English translation for use in the UK, and it is legalised through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Iraqi embassy before it will be recognised here.

This is the main factor in the timeline. We arrange both, so the paperwork is accepted here without delay.

We understand that many Iraqi families follow customs that call for the burial to take place without delay, and we work to move as swiftly as the formalities allow. A burial can generally proceed on the legalised and translated Iraqi death certificate once your loved one arrives.

For a cremation in England and Wales, the coroner must first give authority using Cremation Form 6 (in Scotland, the procurator fiscal). We prepare the paperwork in advance so nothing holds up the funeral once your loved one is home.

The quoted price covers the Iraqi documentation, the legalisation and translation, hygienic treatment, a sealed transport coffin suitable for the UK funeral, the transport certificates, a flight to the UK and handover to your funeral director.

We put a firm price in writing on the first call, and that is the figure on the invoice.

Questions families ask us about repatriation to Iraq

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, and the consular formalities that Iraq requires are completed before the coffin is dispatched.

Your loved one travels in a sealed transport coffin with hygienic treatment and freedom from infection certificates. We complete the coroner notification and arrange the consular steps on your behalf.

Usually 2 to 7 days from first contact, your loved one travelling roughly 4,000 km by air.

The main factors are the four clear days' notice to the coroner, the legalisation of the documents and the consular formalities Iraq requires, and flight availability. Where the death has been referred to the coroner for investigation, the timeline can be longer.

Repatriation to Iraq is coordinated with the Iraqi Embassy in London, who ratifies and legalises the death certificate, obtains Ministry approval to admit your loved one, and seals the coffin before it is dispatched.

We prepare and lodge the consular application on the family's behalf, so no one needs to attend the consulate in person.

We understand that Islamic tradition calls for burial as soon as possible, and we work to move the process forward without delay. We are also open that an international repatriation involves steps, the coroner's notice, hygienic treatment, legalisation and the consular formalities, that take time and cannot always be shortened.

Throughout, your loved one is treated with dignity and we do our best to respect the family's wishes and rites.

The quoted price covers the coroner notification, the legalisation and consular formalities, hygienic treatment, a sealed transport coffin, the transport certificates, and the flight to Iraq with handover to the receiving family or funeral director.

We put a firm price in writing on the first call, and that is the figure on the invoice.

Every other country, in both directions

We bring loved ones home to the UK from anywhere, and from the UK to anywhere in the world. Three more routes written up in the same detail: repatriation to and from Lebanon, Turkey and UAE.

Talk to a specialistRepatriation routes for every country

“We were so worried about the process of getting my mum safely back home to Slovakia, but every detail was handled with care, compassion and professionalism.”

Sofia Bartkova
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