How to bring a deceased person home from abroad: a step-by-step guide

This guide covers international transport and the documents for it. It does not cover the funeral itself: the funeral or burial at home is arranged by the family with a funeral director of their choice.

1. Make the first calls

Two calls usually come first:

• The travel insurer's assistance line, if the deceased had travel insurance (or cover through a bank card, employer or tour operator). Open a case before committing to costs: many policies include repatriation of mortal remains, but the insurer usually wants to approve it in advance.
• The consulate or embassy of the deceased's country in the country where they died. It can register the death with the home authorities, explain the documents your country requires and, where it applies, issue the consular document for the body. Consulates do not transport the body themselves.

If the deceased was on a package holiday, the tour operator's representative can often help with the first local contacts.

2. Official confirmation of death and the death certificate

A doctor certifies the death and the local civil registry issues the official death certificate. If the death was sudden, violent or unexplained, the police, a prosecutor or a coroner may be involved and a post-mortem examination can be required before the body is released. Nothing can be moved until the authorities release the body.

Ask for several certified copies of the death certificate: banks, insurers, the consulate and the authorities at home often each want one. Where possible, request an international (multilingual) extract.

3. Translations, apostille and legalisation

A foreign death certificate often has to be translated by a sworn translator and, depending on the countries involved, legalised or given an apostille (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention). The consulate tells you which form your home country accepts. Doing this early avoids delays at the receiving end.

4. The consular document for the body

Many countries require a consular document before a coffin may be brought in, often called a laissez-passer or passport for a corpse (for example the German Leichenpass). It is issued by the destination country's embassy or consulate, usually on the basis of the death certificate, a certificate that there was no contagious disease, an embalming certificate and a sealing certificate for the coffin. Some countries also need a local permit to remove the body. The list differs per country, so check it with the consulate.

5. Preparation by a local funeral home

In the country where the death happened, a licensed local funeral home collects the deceased, carries out the preparation required for international transport (usually embalming) and issues the related certificates. The family chooses the funeral home; some consulates can provide a list of local firms.

6. The sealed coffin airlines require

For air transport the body is placed in a hermetically sealed coffin, typically with a soldered zinc or metal inner lining, inside an outer wooden coffin and packed for cargo. Airlines and destination countries set the exact requirements, and a sealing certificate confirms it was done correctly. Cremation before transport is an alternative some families choose; an urn has its own, usually simpler, document requirements.

7. Air cargo booking and export clearance

The coffin travels as air cargo, not as checked baggage, on an airline that accepts human remains on that route. The cargo booking needs the documents above, an air waybill and the name of the person or funeral director receiving the coffin (the consignee). Family members can usually book seats on the same flight if they wish to travel with the deceased.

8. Receiving the deceased at home

At the destination airport, a funeral director appointed by the family collects the coffin from the cargo terminal once customs and any health formalities are done. In many countries the body may only be transported onward by a funeral director. From that point, the funeral or burial at home is arranged by the family with that funeral director. Some home countries also require the death to be registered locally after arrival.

9. Insurance cover and costs

Check the policy wording for 'repatriation of mortal remains'. Cover differs: some policies pay for transport home, others for a local funeral or cremation up to a limit. Keep all receipts and certified copies. If there is no cover, the family pays, so ask for a written quote before anything is booked.

How we help

We coordinate the international transport of the deceased between any two countries: we help the family gather the documents, liaise with the local funeral home, the consulate, the airline cargo department and the insurer's assistance team, and arrange the handover to the receiving funeral director at home. One coordinator stays with the family throughout. We do not arrange the funeral itself.

Frequently asked questions

Who should we call first when someone dies abroad?

Usually the travel insurer's assistance line, if there was insurance, and the consulate or embassy of the deceased's country. Both can explain the next steps for that country.

What is a laissez-passer for a body?

A consular document that many countries require before a coffin may be brought in. It is issued by the destination country's embassy or consulate on the basis of the death certificate and the embalming and sealing certificates.

Does the death certificate need to be translated?

Often yes. Depending on the countries, it may need a sworn translation and an apostille or legalisation. The consulate tells you which form is accepted.

Why does the coffin need to be sealed?

Airlines and destination countries require human remains to travel in a hermetically sealed coffin, usually with a soldered metal lining, for health and safety reasons.

Can a family member travel on the same flight?

Usually yes. The coffin travels as air cargo, and family members can book passenger seats on the same flight.

Do you also arrange the funeral at home?

No. We coordinate the international transport and paperwork. The funeral or burial at home is arranged by the family with a funeral director of their choice.

How long does it take?

It depends on the authorities, any investigation, the consulate and flight availability, so there is no general timeframe. Your coordinator keeps you informed at each step.