Repatriation of a body abroad
Restrictions on moving bodies
There is no restriction on the moving of bodies within England and Wales.
However, if you intend to move a body elsewhere in the UK (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands), or to a foreign country, you must notify the coroner or your intention to do so.
What to do in order to repatriate a body
To repatriate a body outside of England and Wales, you will need to:
- notify the coroner by completing a Form of Notice (Form 104). This is available from a registrar or a coroner - see top-right corner of this page for contact details.
- provide any certificate for burial or cremation already issued by the registrar or the coroner with the notice.
The coroner will acknowledge receipt of the notice and inform you when the removal of the body may take place. This will normally be four days after the coroner received the notice.
If it is important that the body is repatriated quickly, the person giving notice to the coroner should speak to him or her personally, since it may be possible to allow the repatriation to occur more quickly.
Cadaver certificates
Some countries require a Cadaver Certificate before they will allow a body into the country for burial.
The certificate, if issued, confirms that no epidemic of infectious disease occurred in the borough for some three months preceding the death. The certificate is issued by the Environmental Health Officer for the Council in the area where the person died (or is to be exhumed from before reburial elsewhere).
This formality of obtaining the Cadaver Certificate is usually handled by the undertaker making the arrangements on behalf of the relatives. The funeral directors will also help with anything requested by the coroner and with the requirements of the authorities in the country to which the deceased is being moved. Some of these requirements may also apply for burial in another part of the United Kingdom.
More information
For more information about repatriating a body, please contact us using the details at the top-right corner of this page.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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