Repatriation

Repatriating someone who has died overseas is a complex process. Many families use specialist international repatriation funeral directors to manage the legal, logistical and transport requirements. 

Registering a Death Abroad

All UK nations

• You must register the death in the country where it occurred and obtain the local death certificate.
• Certificates will be in the local language; if not in English, you’ll need an official translation.
• You may optionally register the death with UK authorities through the Overseas Registration Unit (FCDO).
   This is optional, not required.

Overseas Registration Unit (FCDO)
 Hanslope Park
 Hanslope
 Milton Keynes MK19 7BH

England and Wales

After local registration, you can optionally request a UK‑style registration through the Overseas Registration Unit.
You do not need to register the death in the UK for legal purposes.

Scotland

Local registration abroad is required.
 Families may request a UK‑style consular registration, but this is optional.
 Information for Scotland is held by National Records of Scotland.

Northern Ireland

Local registration abroad is required.
Optional consular registration can be recorded with the General Register Office for Northern Ireland.

Holding a Funeral Abroad

You may choose a local burial or cremation.
British consular staff can explain procedures but cannot pay for funeral or repatriation costs.

Repatriating the Deceased to the UK

If you wish to bring the deceased back to the UK:

You will usually need:

• Certified English translation of the foreign death certificate
• Permission to remove the body from the country
• Certificate of embalming
• Specialist transport arrangements meeting airline and international standards

Once the body arrives in the UK, you must inform the local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the district where the funeral will take place.
 A certificate must be issued before burial, and cremation requires Home Office approval.