International Repatriation Service Leicester

In the case of a fatal accident or unexpected death abroad, one of the biggest concerns of the bereaved family is to return the remains of their loved one home – a process known as repatriation.

Although this may seem to be an incredibly daunting and complex undertaking – not least due to potential language barriers and communication difficulties – at Bay Tree Funerals, we aim to make it as straightforward as possible, with our complete and caring global repatriation service.

What to do when death occurs abroad

Coping with a death whilst on holiday or traveling is something no one wants to face and can be very frightening. You don’t have to struggle with the legal loopholes and technicalities alone, so make sure you take full advantage of all the help available.

The first thing to do is to contact your loved one’s insurance company to find out if they are able to take care of things for you. If the death occurred during a tour or package holiday, then a representative from the holiday company should be able to contact all relevant authorities – including the British Consulate – on your behalf. However, if you were traveling independently, you will need to contact the British Consulate yourself. The British Consulate will then provide advice on all the practicalities of the repatriation process, helping you liaise with the local authorities and offering guidance on booking transportation to get yourself and the body of your loved one home.

How the British Consulate can assist with the global repatriation repatriation process:

• Contact funeral directors and funeral homes

• Secure transport back to your home for yourself and for the body of the deceased

• Register the death of your loved one in the country of their death

• If necessary, translate a death certificate from that country into English

• Register the death with the British Consulate and have a UK death certificate issued.

This means that a record will be made for your loved one in the General Registry Office (GRO) Overseas Registration section. To register the death you will need the deceased’s full name, birth date, passport information (including when and where it was issued and the passport number), and information on next of kin. (This may not be done in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa or Zimbabwe.)

With our expertise of various legal requirements for different countries and the benefit of forging strong relationships with some of the airline companies, we hope that our invaluable assistance will make the process of repatriation more bearable, leaving you to grieve your loss in privacy and in your own time.

Repatriation to the UK

You should be aware that in order to transport the body of the deceased back home, there are a number of rules that must be followed.

How to return home with the deceased:

• If a death occurs abroad, the death should be registered according to the local regulations of that country and obtain a local death certificate.

• To bring a body back to England or Wales you will need either the death certificate or an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country of death by someone authorised to do so. Register the death with the British Consul, so that a record of the death will be kept in England.

• If you are on a package holiday, a representative from the holiday company should be able to act on your behalf. Rules may vary regarding formal identification of the body, but the British Consulate will provide all the advice you require.

• Repatriation of a ‘natural causes’ death should be relatively fast to process. In order to release the body of the deceased for repatriation, the necessary documentation must be completed and authorisation granted by the coroner.

• Carry a certified English translation of the death certificate, written authorisation from local authorities to remove the body and a certificate of the embalming.

• Embalm and secure the body in a zinc-lined coffin – The British Consulate will be able to put you in touch with local funeral directors who can prepare the body in this way.

You are bound to feel relieved to be home and hopefully, you will be able to return to some sort of normality once the funeral plans are in place. When you arrive back in the UK, you will need to arrange a funeral, which thankfully, should be a straightforward process. Simply take the certified English translation of the death certificate to a registrar in the area in which you wish to hold the funeral. Formal certificates will then be issued and you will be able to proceed with the funeral and lay your loved one to rest.

Repatriation from the UK

we provide a sensitive repatriation service to help transport your deceased relative from the UK to any country. Using our extensive knowledge of regulations, requirements and the paperwork that must be completed, we can transport your relative to any country as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise the emotional turmoil for you.

Many other countries such as Jordan and Sweden have (or have had) generous immigration policies. Such states can be described as practicing common law repatriation. Recent economic migration from countries such as Poland has also meant an increase in requests for repatriation for a funeral overseas. Repatriation of the deceased to another country from the UK is fairly easy now as there are many more specialist repatriation companies than there were ten years ago who can assist with the whole process. There are certain legal requirements to be met in order for a body to be transported from England or Wales abroad, and also to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

The funeral director will obtain permission to remove the deceased from the UK from the local coroner.

The following information is required from you to enable the repatriation of the deceased to proceed:

• Two copies of the death certificate – obtained when you register the death.

• Details of the consignee – the funeral director or person responsible for the collection at the destination airport.

• Full payment – usually this is required prior to the repatriation.

• Full embalming is obligatory, as is the use of a zinc lined coffin or metal casket.

How to repatriate a relative

Repatriation following a death in a foreign country will involve the specific legislation that applies to the country where the death occurred. This can seem overwhelming when you are already dealing with grief, but plenty of help is available to lessen the pressure.

All relatives need to do is register the death. Avalon will then support you through the rest of the process. We will help complete all the required legal forms, whether repatriation is to the UK or from the UK to the rest of the world.

We can organise all the necessary documentation required for repatriation and help you decide whether or not to travel on the same flight as your relative. It is recommended that you make sure your loved one is booked on the flight before you book your own tickets. Different airlines have different processes – some allow you to carry human ashes onto the plane as part of your hand luggage. We have a great understanding of the different processes and can provide advice and guidance on the best course of action.

Laws, rules and regulations

Every country has its own laws, rules and regulations that must be followed in the event of a death. Each variance between countries could have a direct impact on the repatriation process.

We have vast knowledge of the different laws and rules that apply and can guide you through the steps that must be taken in order to bring your loved one home for burial or cremation.

You may wish to have the body cremated abroad and return home with the ashes – different airlines have different rules regarding taking ashes onboard the plane. Using our strong links with the airlines, we can help assist you in dealing with the death in the way that would fulfil the wishes of your relative.
You will have to report the death to the local authorities and contact the British Consulate. If you are on a package holiday, a representative from the holiday company should be able to act on your behalf. Rules may vary regarding formal identification of the body, but the British Consulate will provide all the advice you require.

Repatriation of a ‘natural causes’ death should be relatively fast to process. In order to release the body of the deceased for repatriation, the necessary documentation must be completed and authorisation granted by the coroner. The complications of language barriers can be daunting to say the least. You may be able to communicate adequately for the purposes of the holiday, but when it comes to discussing the complex matters associated with the death, you may feel out of your depth. We will provide all the practical support you need and can obtain permission to release the body – from the Coroner – on your behalf.

Repatriation between two countries

1. If the deceased was from England or Wales

Register the death according to the local regulations in the country in which it took place and get a local death certificate. Register the death with the British Consul, so that a record of the death will be kept in England. You will be able to get a copy of the death certificate from the consulate later, or from the Overseas Registration service.

Address:
Overseas Registration Section
Smedley Hydro
Trafalgar Road
Birkdale
Southport
PR8 2HH.

If the death abroad occurred in particular circumstances or the information about the death abroad is incomplete, this must be reported to a coroner in the same way as if the death occurred in England or Wales.

Concerns and Benefits

We can use our specialist knowledge in the area of repatriation to make the whole process as painless as possible for the bereaved. Obviously, it is an extremely difficult time for the loved ones, but with our help and support we can get you through that challenging time without any additional anxieties.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard enough without the pressure of worrying about paperwork and transporting the deceased’s body. You are not alone. Bay Tree Funerals can help relieve this additional burden so you and your loved one can return home as quickly as possible.

Catering for different religions

We recognise that the cultural and legal aspects related to death are as varied across the world as the practices and traditions associated with marriage.

• In France for example, a body must be embalmed and placed in a wooden coffin 24 hours after death.

• In Islamic countries, it is the widely-held belief that the deceased should be buried before sundown or within 24 hours, without embalming.

• In the United States, embalming is common practice. In many countries – when embalming does take place – it is a qualified embalmer’s job, whereas in some countries, for example Portugal and Spain, it is against the law for anyone but a qualified doctor to undertake this procedure.

• Those of Jewish faith believe that the body should be returned to the earth it came from and are therefore against cremation.

• Hindus cremate their dead, believing that the burning of a dead body signifies the release of the spirit and that the flames represent Brahma, the creator.

Bay Tree Funerals is experienced in responding rapidly and efficiently to a whole range of circumstances. The death of a loved one abroad is always a huge shock, but each case is unique and we are very sensitive to the needs and beliefs of every individual.

When it comes to death, we appreciate that every religion and culture has a different ideology. We have experience in arranging repatriation for all cultures and religions and fully respect all denominations and faiths.

Every country has its own legalities and paperwork to deal with. Wherever possible, we will work to ensure that all your cultural beliefs, principles and religious traditions are met.

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Repatriation Service